The inaugural Cluck’n’Flames competition concluded today at Zero Gravity Dubai, marking a decisive step forward for live fire cooking competitions in the region. Focused exclusively on poultry and executed under live fire conditions, the event brought together professional chefs and pitmasters for a rigorous, skill-driven challenge where technique, discipline, and execution took center stage.
Organized by the Emirates Culinary Guild and the Middle East Live Fire Cooking Society, Cluck’n’Flames was designed to move beyond spectacle and toward substance, testing real fire control, respect for ingredients, and the ability to deliver consistency under pressure.
A Competition Built on Craft and Control
Cluck’n’Flames challenged competitors to prepare U.S. chicken and duck as the hero proteins, cooked exclusively over wood or charcoal. Gas and electric heat sources were strictly limited to sauces and accompaniments, ensuring that fire management and live cooking technique remained central to the competition.
From an initial pool of 22 registered competitors, finalists were selected through a structured submission process evaluating originality, creativity, and adherence to poultry-focused execution. The final round saw chefs cooking live under timed conditions, producing four plated portions for judging while additional proteins were prepared for invited guests.
Dishes were evaluated across four key criteria:
- Taste, texture, and balance
- Presentation and plating
- Originality and creativity
- Adherence to timing, hygiene, and competition guidelines
The format rewarded precision over theatrics, with judges placing equal emphasis on technical control and flavor integrity.
Judging Panel & Standards
The judging panel reflected a deliberate balance between live fire expertise and professional culinary standards. Judges included representatives from the Middle East Live Fire Cooking Society alongside senior chefs from the Emirates Culinary Guild, ensuring that both BBQ-specific execution and classical culinary rigor were applied throughout the evaluation process.
This dual lens reinforced the competition’s core objective: to bridge professional culinary discipline with authentic live fire cooking, without diluting either.
A Worthy Winner
After a closely contested final, Chef Saber El Moufakkir, Production Manager at Kitopi, was named Cluck’n’Flames 2024 Grand Champion.
Chef Saber’s dishes stood out for their technical consistency, balanced flavor profiles, and confident handling of poultry over live fire. His approach demonstrated a clear understanding of heat management, doneness, and restraint, allowing the protein to remain the focal point without unnecessary embellishment.
His win sets a strong benchmark for future poultry-focused live fire competitions in the region.
Beyond a Single Event
Cluck’n’Flames was not conceived as a one-off showcase. It represents a broader shift toward structured, standards-driven live fire competitions in the Middle East, where participants are evaluated on skill, preparation, and respect for fire rather than novelty alone.
The Middle East Live Fire Cooking Society views this competition as part of a longer-term effort to:
- Establish credible live fire competition formats
- Encourage disciplined fire use and food safety
- Create clear pathways for progression and recognition
- Build a shared culture grounded in craft, not trends
As live fire cooking continues to grow across the region, events like Cluck’n’Flames provide the structure needed to ensure that growth is accompanied by knowledge, accountability, and rising standards.
More competitions, workshops, and member-driven initiatives are already in development.This paragraph serves as an introduction to your blog post. Begin by discussing the primary theme or topic that you plan to cover, ensuring it captures the reader’s interest from the very first sentence. Share a brief overview that highlights why this topic is important and how it can provide value. Use this space to set the tone for the rest of the article, preparing readers for the journey ahead. Keep your language approachable, yet informative, to create a strong connection.
