Chef Don Thushan Nilaksha, of Burj Al Arab Dubai bagged the top honours at the Middle East Junior Chef of the Year 2002 competition with an overall tally of two gold medals and a bronze medal.

"Such competitions are intended to put on public display, the talents of chefs in the region while at the same time inspiring them to create innovative recipes and styles of presentation by pitting them against each other," said Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) deputy manager events, Marwan Juma bin Beyat.

"The objective of this competition was to improve the overall quality of culinary skills and provide recognition for excellence in culinary arts as well as incentives for the participants," remarked bin Beyat.

Others who won titles included chef Rabah Samra of Intercontinental Dubai – Best Effort by an Arab National 2002, chef Darshana Kathriarachichi of Dubai Marine Beach Resort Dubai, Best Pastry Chef 2002 and chef Sonkran Nonsri of Jumeirah Hospitality Dubai – Best Kitchen Artist 2002.

A total of 473 entries were received and 26 Gold, 89 Silver and 131 Bronze medals were awarded.

The categories included best chocolate carving, best ice carving, best fruit and vegetable carving, best wedding cake and best in-flight meal etc.