Mayank Verma Honored as Commended Garde Manger of the Year at Middle East Chef Excellence Awards 2025
DoubleTree by Hilton's Cold Kitchen Specialist Recognized for Exceptional Skill.
The Middle East culinary community has turned its attention to the precise artistry of Mayank Verma, Chef de Partie at DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai M Square, who earned the Commended Award for Garde Manger of the Year. This accolade celebrates the quiet mastery behind the cold kitchen, where Verma transforms fresh ingredients into visually stunning culinary creations that delight diners.
Verma's journey through the UAE's luxury hotel landscape has been marked by steady growth and deepening expertise. From his early days as a culinary intern at Bab Al Shams to his current role overseeing the Garde Manger station, he has developed an exceptional eye for detail that elevates every dish he touches. His tenure at properties like The Oberoi Al Zorah and Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi provided the perfect training ground for mastering the exacting standards of five-star presentation.
What makes Verma's recognition particularly noteworthy is his ability to balance technical precision with creative flair. In the garde manger station, where temperatures must be perfectly controlled and presentations immaculate, his work demonstrates how discipline and artistry combine to create memorable dining experiences. The award judges noted his talent for crafting charcuterie boards that are as beautiful as they are delicious, and salad compositions that showcase both freshness and visual appeal.
This honor serves as an important reminder of the specialized skills that contribute to a restaurant's success. While executive chefs often claim the spotlight, professionals like Verma prove that mastery of a single station can achieve the highest recognition. For aspiring culinarians, his career path illustrates the value of deepening one's expertise in a specific culinary discipline.
As Dubai's dining scene continues to mature, awards like this highlight the growing appreciation for kitchen specialists who perfect their craft over years of dedicated work. Verma's achievement at DoubleTree by Hilton underscores how excellence in even the coldest corner of the kitchen can generate well-deserved warmth and recognition.
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