The journey of encounter between East and West represented by The Dates Connection, the contest launched by HostMilan and TUTTOFOOD that rewards the most innovative date-based recipes submitted by some of the most creative, established and emerging international chefs and pastry chefs. Sponsored in collaboration with the Emirates Culinary Guild and with the support of the Saudi Arabian Chefs' Association, Qatar Culinary Professional and Jordan Restaurant Association, the initiative is proceeding with the selection of two national finalists from each of the five participating countries: Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Italy.

Exciting national semifinals take off

Virtually crossing deserts, palm groves and beaches in the Middle East, this "digital dates caravan" has already touched down on its first stop in Jordan. The national semifinal was held at Alsynior restaurant in Amman with the support of the Jordan Restaurant Association, Jordan Chefs Association, Jordan Hotel Association and in the presence of the utmost representative local media. In the challenge for the national finalist, the three winners of the digital pre-selections created again their recipes live on the Emirates Culinary Guild YouTube channel. As many as 11 chefs participated in the challenge, from the most renowned restaurants, including Al Qasr Garden, Books@Cafe, Maharaf, Solaya, Vinaigrette, Wild Jordan and YAGOOS.

An international audience of restaurant experts selected the following as finalists: Chef Bassam Al Jammal of Solaya, Chef Sarah Alhares and Chef Yousef Abudayyeh of Books@Cafe. Chef Al Jammal prepared a date-infused dessert, Chef Alhares made date croquembouche doughnuts and Chef Abudayyeh came up with a salmon salad with date sauce. The live challenge finally declared the victory of Chef Bassam Al Jammal.

The Dates Connection is confirmed not only as a dialogue between different gastronomic cultures, but also as an opportunity for networking and business development. The UAE Restaurant Group, the group that brings together thousands of restaurants in the UAE, has confirmed its support to the semifinal in Dubai on February 2023. The national semifinals continue until February 2023.

TUTTOFOOD 2023 is a proud partner of the initiative  at Fiera Milano from May 8 to 11, 2023. To find out how to become an exhibitor at TUTTOFOOD visit this page. To participate as a professional visitor please go to this page.