Male’ Maldives, 27th November 2023 – Chef Ibrahim Zuhair, fondly known as ‘Zuzu,’ Executive Sous Chef at Oaga Art Resort, has made his team proud with his recent achievements at the 1st Indonesian Halal Chef Competition 2023.
The competition was held in conjunction with the Indonesia Sharia EconomicFestival (ISEF) at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), from October 25th to 29th, 2023. The event brought together top talents from various countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, Jordan, the Maldives and Indonesia.
Chef Zuhair, representing the Chef’s Guild of Maldives, showcased his culinary expertise in two categories: The International Individual and the Black Box challenge. In the International Individual Category, Chef Zuzu secured the second place, earning a silver medal for his impeccable skills and creativity. He also achieved fourth place in the Black Box category, a testament to his composure under pressure and the depth of his culinary knowledge.
Chef Zuhair is an executive board member of the Chefs Guild of Maldives, the first non-profit-making association for chefs working in the Maldives ever established within the country. The association is dedicated solely to the advancement of culinary art in the Maldives. Registered in 2014, the CGM received its charter into World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) within less than a year. The WACS endorses the CGM as the authorised Maldivian National Culinary Association. The CGM, thereby, has an international culinary focus and multinational support forstaging its various competitions, seminars and events.
Guests of Oaga Art Resort are in for a treat, as Chef Zuzu’s culinary magic weaves the flavours of the Maldives with international techniques, from the theatrical dining experience at the resort’s specialty restaurant, Samaasaa, to the vibrant street food stalls at Kaa Kada, the main restaurant. Chef Ibrahim Zuhair’s journey is a culinary adventure that’s just begun, and we can’t wait to see what he cooks up next.