The UAE chapter of the International Cheese Guild (Guilde Internationale des Fromages) was formally established on February 28, 2017 at the Conrad Hotel Dubai.
Greenhouse Foodstuff Trading LLC general manager Daniel Chidiac is founding president and Sharjah executive council member Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi has been named as the Guild protector.
Chef Uwe Micheel, director of kitchens at Radisson Blu Hotel DDC and president of the Emirates Culinary Guild was honoured “Est Promu < Compagnon D’ Honneur”.
In his opening speech, Chidiac commented: “The Guild’s mission is to support and encourage the cheese interrelated communities.
“We will do this through development of a collective voice, to promote cheese and cheesemakers, educate professionals and consumers, to coordinate resources and share cheese to all from various origins.”
Sheikh Al Qasimi welcomed the title of Guild protector conveyed on him by Chidiac. He commented: “We are on the edge of gastronomy here in the United Arab Emirates. Things like this, the Guild, is very important for the future of this country in making its mark on the world of gastronomy.
“It is an absolute honour to become the Protector of the Guild and I promise to uphold my duty to the very best of my ability.”
The UAE Cheese Guild’s inauguration ceremony marks the 47th international outpost of the Guild.
The UAE members inducted include a diverse cheese-loving group comprised of cheese makers, executive chefs, cheese distributors, importers and suppliers.
The ceremony was attended by renowned French cheese expert and International Cheese Guild council president provost, Roland Barthelemy.
The International Cheese Guild is a non-profit organisation open to professional cheese makers with 6,700 members across the world.
The Guild was founded in 1969 by Pierre Androuet.
