Dubai witnessed a landmark moment for the culinary scene as Candia Professional and Veliche celebrated craftsmanship and innovation with the UAE’s first-ever dairy and chocolate pastry competition.
Held at the luxurious St. Regis The Palm Dubai on September 16, the event brought together the nation’s most talented pastry chefs to compete in a high-stakes, creativity-driven challenge. The competition was powered by Masterbaker, the exclusive distributor of both brands in the UAE, reinforcing the event’s position as a premier showcase of culinary excellence.
The competition featured 13 chefs representing leading five-star hotels across the UAE. Over five intense hours, participants demonstrated their mastery of pastry by crafting a refined afternoon tea set. Chefs were tasked with balancing flavor, texture, and presentation while preparing six signature items, three sweet creations, one gluten-free item, one dessert inspired by local flavors, and a sweet and savory innovation. Each dish had to incorporate at least one product from Candia Professional’s Signature Range, including the Gourmet Cream 40 percent, Whipping Cream 35 percent, or Gourmet Butter, alongside one type of Veliche Chocolate, such as milk, dark, white, or caramel.
Adding energy and excitement to the event, chef Nicole Mrad, entrepreneur chef and digital creator behind @Cuisinewithnicole, hosted the competition. Known for her engaging personality and passion for food, chef Nicole, winner of the Food Influencer Awards and followed by more than 131,000 Instagram fans, guided attendees through the competition stages. Her presence brought a lively and interactive dimension to the event, keeping the audience engaged as the chefs plated their creations.
The judging panel consisted of a distinguished lineup of international pastry experts. chef François Galtier, bronze medalist at the World Pastry Cup, chef Steve Thiery, executive pastry chef at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, chef Ilhame Guerrah, former executive pastry chef at multiple five-star hotels worldwide, and chef Tom Thomas, senior bakery chef at Richemont Masterbaker School, evaluated each entry based on technique, creativity, presentation, and flavor. Adding a unique perspective, a member of the public joined the panel, reflecting the audience’s voice and making the judging more inclusive.
After meticulous deliberation, four winners emerged, each celebrated for exceptional craftsmanship and storytelling through pastry. Inana Hassanaly from Four Seasons Dubai secured the top prize, demonstrating outstanding technical skill and creativity. She was joined by Nayindra Chetry from Anantara The Palm Dubai, Raviraj Singh Gour from Five Palm Dubai, and Thushara Chintaka from Four Seasons Abu Dhabi. The winners received an exclusive culinary trip to France and Belgium, including visits to Veliche Chocolate and Candia Professional factories, followed by a private masterclass in Paris, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to refine their craft and gain international exposure.
This event marks a milestone in the UAE’s culinary calendar, highlighting the growing prominence of pastry arts and the increasing use of premium dairy and chocolate products in innovative gastronomy. By bringing together top talent, global expertise, and public engagement, Candia Professional and Veliche have set a new benchmark for culinary competitions in the region.
As the UAE continues to position itself as a hub for culinary excellence, this first-of-its-kind dairy and chocolate competition underscores the country’s commitment to supporting creativity, technical mastery, and international collaboration in the gastronomy sector.
