In pictures: Highlights from the East Coast Culinary Competition in Fujairah

Most of the chefs competing at the event are employed at high-end hotels, but there were also groups from Bentley Bistro & Bar in Abu Dhabi, Emirates Flight Catering and the Sharjah Ladies Club. The event was open to the public and had 14 categories that chefs could enter. Pawan Singh / The National

K. A. C Prasad, Executive Chef of Miramar hotel (centre) in the East Coast Culinary Competition held at Miramar Al Aqah Beach Resort in Fujairah. Pawan Singh / The National

Cakes on display in the Three Tier Wedding Cake section in the East Coast Culinary Competition held at Miramar Al Aqah Beach Resort in Fujairah. Pawan Singh / The National

Food items made in the Tapas, Finger Food and Canapés section on display in the East Coast Culinary Competition held at Miramar Al Aqah Beach Resort in Fujairah. (Pawan Singh / The National) For Arts & Life. Story by Stacie Overton Johnson

Chefs came from all corners of the UAE as well as Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Croatia and Oman to compete in what’s quickly becoming a high-profile competition. Pawan Singh / The National

A highlight for visitors to the event was the chocolate showpieces. Pawan Singh / The National

The kitchen artists who visualised and executed the pieces had given close attention to detail. Pawan Singh / The National

The chefs’ bread-baking creativity would have been enough to impress, but all of the breads were displayed within larger-than-life showpieces that, though hard to believe, were, in fact, also made of bread. Pawan Singh / The National

The pastry showpiece category was another way for chefs to show off their artistic talent. Pawan Singh / The National

Ambro Fahed Al Yassi, judge (centre) during the East Coast Culinary Competition held at Miramar Al Aqah Beach Resort in Fujairah. Pawan Singh / The National

Art work made in the Friandises Petit Fours Pralines and Nougatines section on display. Pawan Singh / The National

Mo Badri, chef at the Address Montgomery Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

here was also a live vegetable-carving competition which had many chefs meticulously chopping and carving large pumpkins into human faces. Pawan Singh / The National

The gold-medal winner was a chocolate carving of two men balancing carefully over a crocodile. Pawan Singh / The National

Rami Hammoud, with his dishes. Pawan Singh / The National

Highlights from the East Coast Culinary Comeptiton in Fujairah with 34 chefs from five-star hotels from five different countries.