Culinary Industry's Premier Event Is Back!!! Culinary Art India 2012- A Professional "Culinary Excellence" Challenge

Online, March 14, 2012 (Newswire.com) - It was a time of being up close and personal with some of the top culinary whizzes in an unforgettable blend of flavor, skill and entertainment at 'Culinary Art India 2012' which started from 12th March 2012. Organized by Indian Culinary Forum in association with ITPO and Hospitality & food service, Culinary Art India was inaugurated by Chef Rick Stephen, WACS Continental Director, Asia, at heart of business district of Delhi, Pragati Maidan. People were in a big treat as Culinary Art shined the spotlight on their brightest gourmet stars, sharing in their electric passion for good food & great beverages. You got to see a side of the chef's personality that you don't often get to see on TV.

On track to be even bigger and better than last year, Culinary Art India, brought to you by Indian Culinary Forum, began on a high note when the celebrity chefs from all over India and abroad participated in this event as honorary Guests and Juries. The festivities kick-off on 12th March with the seasoned chefs competing with each other in four categories. The first day categories included artistic pastry showpiece, butter or margarine sculpture, plated appetizers and live kitchen. On second day, the categories were artistic bakery showpiece, Indian Regional cuisine, fruit and vegetable carving and live kitchen. Thereby, next few days would include categories such as 3 Tier wedding cake, desserts, dress the cake (Live), Petit fours or Pralines; three courses set dinner menu & mocktails. The Culinary Art India 2012 will be culminated with bestowing of many awards on chef's culinary skills on 16th March 2012. The five day event got the participation of chef fraternity from India and abroad and two jury members from WACS (world association of chef societies), a 93 nation body of Chefs. Chef Rick Stephen, WACS Continental Director Asia, has conducted WACS certification programme for fifteen top chefs of India. The list includes the entire I C F committee, Chef Gill, Chef Jatinder Uppal, Chef Tarun Dacha to name a few. This certification has been done for the first time in India, which brings Indian Chef at par with their counter parts in the developed / western world. These chefs are now eligible to judge international culinary competitions world wide.

Chef Davinder Kumar, President of Indian Culinary Forum, said, "This challenge not only attracted national level participation involving senior and apprentice chefs from India competing on an internationally modeled platform but also gives youngsters an opportunity to come up with something new and innovative. The idea is to create awareness about the profession of chefs and felicitate the achievers in this profession".

Chef Rick Stephen, WACS Continental Director Asia, said, "It is very impressive to see youngsters work so hard towards their passion for culinary art and Culinary Art India 2012 is a great platform to showcase the young talent from India as well as from abroad."

Chef Suman Sharma, I C F Gen sectary, said, "'Culinary Art India-2012' will involve every aspect of culinary enthusiasts and art aficionados to share a passion for food, art and entertainment."

CAI 2012 is being presented by Metro-Cash & Carry India and partnered by Cargill India Pvt. Ltd, Shineroad (Foods) India Pvt. Ltd, Dabur India Ltd, Electrolux, Daawat Chefs Select Basmati Rice, Enhance Proteins Ltd, Manitowoc, Unilever Food Solutions, Real official juice partner, Food & Nightlife India's no.1 food & nightlife magazine and Bakery Biz voice of the Indian bakery industry.

Competition Categories include

Individual Competition
Individual Artistic Display
Class 1: 3 - Tier Wedding Cake
Class 2: Artistic Pastry Showpiece
Class 3: Artistic Bakery Showpiece
Class 4: Fruit & Vegetable Carving
Class 5: Butter / Margarine Sculpture

Individual Cold Display
Class 6: Plated Appetizers
Class 7: Petit Fours or Pralines
Class 8: Three Course Set Dinner Menu
Class 9: Desserts
Class 10: Authentic Indian Regional Cuisine

Individual Live Cooking
Class 11: (Open Competition) Main Course - Meat / Poultry / Game/ Seafood/Vegetarian
Class 12: (Apprentice / Trainee / Student Competition) Meat / Poultry / Game/ Seafood /
Vegetarian)
Class13: Mock tail Competition
Class 14: Dress the Cake (Live)

About:

Indian Culinary Forum

The Indian culinary Forum is the India's association of professional chefs. It was formed in New Delhi in 1987 as an exclusive non-profit-making organization, Dedicated solely to the advancement of the culinary art of India. The Forum's objective is to act as a link, platform, useful and necessary instrument for the national community of chefs.

India Trade Promotion Organization

India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO) is the nodal agency of the Government of India for promoting the country's external trade. ITPO, during its existence of nearly three decades, in the form of Trade Fair Authority of India and Trade Development Authority, has played a proactive role in catalyzing trade, investment and technology transfer processes. Its promotional tools include organizing of fairs and exhibitions in India and abroad, Buyer-Seller Meets, Contact Promotion Programmes, Product Promotion Programmes, and Promotion through Overseas Department Stores, Market Surveys and Information Dissemination.

Hospitality First

"Hospitality First" as an organization, brings over 30 years of hardcore expertise and specialization in events and publishing in the hospitality and tourism industry. The "Hospitality First" team is involved in executing specialized events for many hospitality industry associations and trade show organizers. They enjoy close working relationship and have clear understanding of businesses, both from the buyer and seller perspective. The team has pioneered and executed some of the industry's most premier tradeshows, business conferences and seminars, hosted buyer-seller meets, international culinary challenges, business award programmes and customized road shows.