Mother from Mumbai makes the best kebab

A mother from Mumbai bagged the first prize in the hotly-contested Kebab Chi making contest at the Four Points Sheraton yesterday.

Isabella Yusuf, a housewife who lived in Dubai for the past 21 years, prepared a traditional Arabic kebab which the judges described as "just perfect".

The veteran of many cooking competitions has never won the first place before, though she bagged runner-up positions in competitions staged by Dubai's Ladies Circle.

She has participated in at least four Gulf News' Cook Of The Year contests without success.

"I never expected to win. We make kebabs regularly at home during winter, because my family goes out a lot for picnics with other families. I learned this kebab dish from my husband, who's an Arab. So the credit for this award goes to him," said Isabella.

David Mayor, the Swiss executive chef of Sheraton Jumeirah Beach and one of the judges, said: "Isabella's work was a good combination of Indian style and strong Arabic spices."

Najwa Al Tamimi, a Jordanian who lives in Dubai with her husband Nizar, won the second prize with her eggplant kebab. Neeru Gulati, won the third place with her 'dumseeke kebab'.

Dr. V. Gayathri, a dentist who came all the way from Abu Dhabi, won the best presentation award for her original creation, an egg-stuffed bottlegourd kebab.

"We appreciate every dish, they're all good. But we have to pick the best out of the 12 or so entries," said Habib Khan, general manager of Four Points Sheraton Dubai.

Tariq Mahmood Abbasi, manager of Antique Bazaar who lent his kitchen to the contestants for three hours, said the kebab cooking event helps promote Dubai as a cultural joint between the East and West.