Six chefs from around the globe converged on the Omni Chicago Hotel last week to celebrate the kickoff of Omni’s Simply Street Food program. Culture and culinary innovation came together on Michigan Avenue in the form of “Street Food”, one of the most vibrant and exciting trends in cuisine eaten by 2.5 billion people per day across the world (Food and Agriculture Organization, 2011).
About Street Food
Considered a tasty, ready-to-eat meal option quickly available for people on the go, most street foods are served by vendors on the sidewalk or roadside. Street foods typically feature fresh, local ingredients and seasonings. Almost every culture has some version of street food, which has grown to symbolize the complex flavors of each part of the world.
The Challenge
Omni Hotels & Resorts challenged chefs from around the world working at partnering Global Hotel Alliance properties to create recipes inspired by the savory aromas and palate-teasing tastes of “street foods” from their home regions.
More than 100 chefs globally competed, combining familiar ethnic flavors, textures and ingredients to create an international culinary experience. Ultimately, six recipes were selected to be featured in the deliciously eclectic Simply Street Food Menu – three recipes from Omni chefs, and three from GHA member chefs.
The Winners
Omni Hotels & Resorts wishes to congratulate the winners of the Simply Street Food competition:
●Citrus Ancho Braised Lamb Tostado (Chef Scott Mole, Omni Bedford Springs)
●Duck Empanada with Smoked Tomato Mayonnaise (Chef Gene Moss, Omni La Mansion)
●Short Rib and Vermont Cheddar Sandwich (Chef Gerard Tice, Omni Parker House)
●Chicken Musakhan Sandwich (Chef Moh’d Alla Alaham, Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi)
●Famous Peddler’s Char Kway Teow (Chef Andy Oh, Pan Pacific Orchard in Singapore)
●Acarajé de Orixá (Chef Josemar Passos, Tivoli Ecoresort Praia do Forte in Bahia, Brazil)
The Simply Street Food menu will be available at Omni Hotels & Resorts bars and lounges from January to March 2013. Stay tuned here to Omni Views, where we’ll be telling you more about the chefs, as well as providing recipes for their award-winning fare in coming posts.
