Indian restaurant Mumtaz Mahal has held its annual biryani cooking competition in which ten amateur chefs participated, after being short listed from more than 500 entries.

Mumtaz Mahal, named “Best Fine Dining Restaurant” in Mena, organised the fourth edition of Biryani Muqabla yesterday (April 25) at the Arabian Courtyard Hotel & Spa in Dubai.

“This event has become quite popular over the years and is recognition of the fact that some of the best recipes are cooked at home and not at restaurants,” said Habib Khan, Arabian Courtyard general manager and CEO hospitality division of Planet Group.

“This is our way of acknowledging this fact and also recognising the efforts of ladies and gentlemen who enjoy cooking for their loved ones,” he added.

“Mumtaz Mahal’s Biryani Muqabla is an enjoyable community involvement initiative that keeps an important culinary tradition alive in Dubai.”

In the day-long competition, the ten finalists prepared their dishes in front of biryani-loving guests and a panel of judges consisting of Rakesh Puri, famous author and food critic and Gareth Rees, food critic with a popular local publication.

The best biryani concoction was selected on the basis of appearance, aroma, texture and taste.

The winning cook, Sonia Gonsalves with her “Dum Prawn Biryani” took home a diamond pendant from contest sponsor leading jewellers Joyalukkas, while the nine runner-ups received consolation prizes. – TradeArabia News Service