São Paulo – Club Homs is accepting enrolment up to the end of the month for participation in an Arab cuisine course. Established by Arab immigrants in the 1920s, the club started promoting this type of competition in the 1990s and is at its fourth edition. According to Andrea Acras, the wife of the social president at Homs, Afif Acras, participation is open to the community as a whole, whether Arab or not.
"The dishes must have Arab ingredients. They cannot, for example, have Brazilian spices. They must be Arab," said Andrea. The participation of professionals in the gastronomy sector, those who have business in the area or those who sell foods, however, are not allowed. According to Andrea, who is a member of the committee that organises the competition together with another four wives of directors, the competition often includes elder ladies, youths and also children.
To participate, it is necessary to enter the site of Club Homs (www.clubhoms.org.br) and register online, informing the ingredients, the method of preparation, the time for preparation and the number of servings. In total, there are three categories: appetizer, main dish and dessert. A judging committee should chose ten recipes in each category as finalists. They will be prepared and the final product will be presented at a cocktail on October 2nd, at the Gran Real hall at the Club.
At the event, open to the public and with free admittance, the food will be sampled by the jury and then the winners will be announced, three in each category. The appetizers, main dishes and desserts will be exhibited on a large table, as if it were a parade. The items evaluated will include presentation of the dish, creativity, originality and taste. The first place award will be a notebook, the second, a three in one juicer, and the third, an electric gourmet pan. There will be three awards in each category. Enrolment ends on August 31st.
According to Andrea, recipes of traditional Arab dishes may be sent. A kibbeh may compete, for example, even if it is made according to a recipe that is traditional in the cook’s family. She explains that Arab immigrants came from different parts of the Arab countries and each one brought his culture in the making of dishes. The objective of the competition, according to Andrea, is to promote Arab culture and also integration of the Arab community. Those being invited to participate include members of sister clubs, like the Antioch and Armenian Clubs, among others.
Service:
Arab Cuisine Competition
Promotion: Club Homs
Registration: www.clubhoms.org.br
Further information: (+55 11) 3289 4088
*Translated by Mark Ament
