Intersect by Lexus Dubai announced winner of Young Chef Competition

Auto manufacturers seldom restrict themselves to just making vehicles and locomotives. This is becoming an almost all-pervasive scenario for luxury automakers which retain their core business but also foray into other businesses providing anything but dime a dozen products. They achieve greater exclusivity through restaurant chains or apparel brands and let the nabobs and VIPs alike, get a different taste of their trade.

Al Futtaim enterprises, the official distributor of Lexus cars in the UAE has started its culinary venture, Intersect By Lexus Dubai and offers several delicacies enabling one to dabble with unique appetisers and delectable courses to get to know the cultural diversity of different regions. The restaurant is open at Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) which hosted a contest for the prodigy of Dubai to showcase their culinary skills. Quoted as the Young Chef Competition, this initiative provided a holistic approach for the young talents to experiment with even the most obnoxious ideas and transform it into something succulent.

Great participation was observed during the competition. Ultimately, it was narrowed down to just three contestants who had to develop a special menu for a panel having great knowledge about the field and belonging to a familiar background. The trio comprising Chef Hayat Mussa Yilma, Chef Munir Mansab and Chef Hala Bassar prepared dainty dishes for Capucine Leblon, acting Restaurant Manager at Intersect by Lexus Dubai, Samantha Wood award-winning restaurant reviewer, Pang Long Chin, Head Chef of COYA Abu Dhabi, Mathieu Balbino, Head Chef of Pierre Bistro & Bar by Pierre Gagnaire, Chef Ravikanth Avadula, Head Chef of LPM Abu Dhabi, Alex Augusti of @justfoodxb and Samina Merchant, Filmfare Social M Award Winner 2021.

After a tough feud amidst the three and scrutiny by the panellists, Chef Hayat Yilma was declared the winner of the competition. Her signature three course menu will be available at the DIFC restaurant for a month for the diners opting for the Business Lunch Menu.

“We were absolutely delighted to launch this competition that supports the local talent and empowers the new generations’ involvement in the F&B industry. We were blown away by the levels of culinary talent we saw but ultimately Chef Hayat’s culinary skills and creativity on her menu shone through. Her dishes were full of flavours with a well-thought-out presentation, and we must commend her for taking on the challenge of creating puff pastry from scratch which displays confidence and culinary maturity. We can’t wait for our customers to enjoy her creations,” said Capucine Leblon, acting Restaurant Manager at Intersect by Lexus Dubai.

In times where creativity is the key for progress, Chef Hayat perfectly demonstrated her culinary skills and showed the wonders young minds are capable of performing. This venture is gaining limelight swiftly through its vantage location and the quirky dishes integrating different traditions. Lexus is known for its reliable and luxurious cars. The same opulent experience is now being offered by such mouth-watering cuisines in a region, having a solid penchant for food.  Not just the main dishes, but even the starters and dessert options are plenty for those looking for good diet foods and having a sweet tooth, respectively. Backed by fantastic ambience through wonderfully lit lights and interior, this location offers everything even the most finicky person could ask for.