Local Chef Takes Gold at International Competition

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DETROIT— Brian Beland, president of the the American Culinary Federation’s Michigan Chefs De Cuisine Association, was awarded a gold medal and came in second at the inaugural Dubai World Hospitality Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Beland, executive chef/director of food and beverage at the Country Club of Detroit in Grosse Pointe Farms, was one of seven chefs selected to be part of the ACF team in this prestigious competition that featured culinary masters from around the world who are well recognized on the international circuit and regularly compete in some of the world’s best known culinary competitions. The ACF team, representing the United States, competed against 11 other countries including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Russia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates and Wales. Singapore placed first, the United States came in second and Australia placed third. The competition was held last weekend.

The ACF team spent the last two months planning and preparing for this competition. Each team was required to present a cold food buffet including six tapas items, three plated appetizers, four salads, four protein platters, four centerpieces a hot-main course and a dessert buffet in six hours for 50 people and four judges. Teams were judged on mise en place, workstation and uniform cleanliness, culinary techniques, food safety, presentation of dishes, taste and food texture.

 “This was such an incredible experience representing the United States and the flavors of American cuisine on a international stage,” Beland said.