All eyes on the final of the Elle & Vire Professionnel Cream Cheese Competition in the GCC

The final of the Elle & Vire Professionnel’s Cream Cheese Competition in the GCC was held on January 26, 2024, in strategic partnership with the award-winning International Center for Culinary Arts (ICCA, Dubai). Finalists were judged by a prestigious jury comprising the brand’s renowned Ambassadors — chef Karim Bourgi, chef Francois Daubinet and chef Sergio Freitas of ICCA.

The first challenge was a signature cheesecake, where finalists had to use Elle & Vire Professionnel American Cream Cheese. In the second challenge — a plated cheesecake dessert with a specific set of ingredients defined by chef Francois Daubinet — finalists had to use Elle & Vire Professional Soft Style Cream Cheese.

A total of six winners from KSA, Kuwait and the UAE went head-to-head for the grand prize and the title of best chef. Followed by a cocktail party at the Bastion Restaurant Jumeirah Beach Hotel, three winners were announced. The first prize of USD 5,000 was awarded to Kimberly Valeroso from Lafayette Gourmet, while Artur Sviatnenko from Zo Bakery won the second prize of USD 3,500. Finally, the third prize of USD 1,500 was awarded to Norman Mawili from LPM Riyadh.

Elle & Vire Professionnel Cream Cheese Competition initiative

In an effort to promote its professional cream cheese range across the GCC market, Elle & Vire Professionnel, the leading French manufacturer of creams and butters, launched the first Elle & Vire Professionnel Cream Cheese Competition in the GCC in 2023, with three rounds held in the UAE, Kuwait and KSA. Top chefs from five-star hotels, restaurant chains and bakeries took part in the competition.

The first round was held at the Salon du Chocolat in Dubai, UAE, featuring the brand’s Ambassador chef Karim Bourgi, chef Bernard Charles and chef Paul Hayward. Kuwait hosted the second round, which was judged by Elle & Vire Professionnel Ambassador chef Ali Dashti, in addition to chef Ziad Hilal and chef Benjamin de Closets. The third round of the contest, judged by Elle & Vire Professionnel Ambassador chef Farah Hamdane, chef Charles Azar and chef Bernard Charles, was held at Salon du Chocolat in Riyadh.

The aim of the initiative was to actively involve chefs, effectively communicate the diverse usages of the brand’s products and promote talented young chefs embracing the Elle & Vire Professionnel cream cheese range. 

Elle & Vire Professionnel has been active in the Middle East for many years and is the only brand that offers such a wide range of cream cheese products for professionals.

For More information visit www.elle-et-vire.com/pro/en and on Instragram Elle & Vire Pro Arabia.