International Culinary Festival 2018: Renowned chefs hit cooking stations

Number of food and beverage companies are exhibiting their products and services at Alhamra

LAHORE: Its spatulas, aprons and mittens as the three-day Pakistan International Culinary Festival 2018 (PICF) kicks off on Friday (today) at the Alhamra Cultural Complex of Qaddafi Stadium. The College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (COTHM), in collaboration with the Chefs Association of Pakistan (CAP), is organising the event, which is the second edition of this festival featuring a culinary championship for professional chefs. The event is also endorsed by a global authority on food, the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS).

A number of national and international food and beverage companies are exhibiting their products and services. A series of seminars and conferences on culinary skills, hospitality and tourism will be organised. Artisans' exhibition, a musical evening, Sufi night, lucky draw and various fun-filled activities are part of the festival.

COTHM Chief Executive Officer Ahmad Shafiq said that it is the first time that internationally acclaimed chefs from five countries are coming to Pakistan to take part in the event. They will participate in various culinary challenges and conduct live cooking of their cuisines.

A total of 31 chefs from China, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Tunisia will attend the event, he said. He said it is the first time a culinary event of this scale was being held in the country. “The arrival of international chefs will give local chefs an opportunity to interact with them in a more celebratory setting.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 9^th, 2018.