The final day of the 2008 WACS congress in Dubai started, as one would expect…gradually. Delegates arrived in smaller groups, rather than en mass and many of our colleagues had needed to depart the evening before. Even our fearless leader, HKCA President, Rudolph Muller was already somewhere in the air between Dubai and Malaysia, where he was heading to do more good deeds in the name of global culinary excellence.
The first order for business was something Chefs are especially good at, but often not noted for – community support. Ferdinand Metz, on behalf of WACS presented a cheque directly to the China Delegation to help with relief efforts surrounding the Sichuan province earthquake. Our Asia Continental Director John Sloane also announced a mechanism that will be set up through the Continental Office to facilitate delegate countries donations to this cause. Details to follow when available. With tears of appreciation, China gratefully accepted and thanked the congress for its caring warmth and humanitarian action.
The remainder of the rather long final day was spent awarding the many members and participants for their efforts. Even our own Billy Yeung was up on stage as part of a large group from Unilever accepting the Global Partner award. The awards ceremonies were accompanied by what must have been a very best of TV and film music CD, as themes from bewitched, star trek, star wars and many similar themes played in the back ground – surreal. At one special moment Bill Gallagher (no relation) noted the interesting music. Of some special note in the awards were the winners of first the Hans Bueschken’s Junior Chef competition won by the Junior Chef from the USA, and then of course the Inaugural Global Chefs Challenge which was taken by Netherlands Chef Toines Smulders.
Finally the congress was called to a close, just in time for us to hurry off to the Gala Dinner held far out in the rolling dunes of the Arabian Desert at the Lisali Fort.
We were dressed in traditional garments and ate in tents under the desert moon; accompanied and enthralled by fortunetellers, shisha pipes, camel rides, belly dances, extravagant fire works, and a princes feast of food and wine. This was a wonderful way to celebrate our host country Dubai and while it was a great way to prepare for our journey home it would be equally nice as a way to enter the middle east as well.
One important lesson that we can all take home from this congress is that Dubai is a sparkling example of what a safe, hospitable, and lovely place of magic and wonder the middle east is, and for chefs this fertile crescent is the origin of the agricultural meme that has set mankind on a trajectory in which they would require, and prize our humble service.
Christopher Gallaga
Reporting From Dubai,
Thursday, May 15, 2008
