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Saudi Embassy Wins Second Place in People’s Choice at Washington’s Embassy Chef Challenge: In a proud moment for the Kingdom, the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington, DC secured second place in the People’s Choice Award at the prestigious Embassy Chef Challenge held yesterday.
Chef Bandar Alhenaki represented the Saudi embassy, impressing guests and judges alike with a delectable presentation of lamb kabsa, Saudi Arabia’s national dish, paired with basbousa, a syrup-soaked semolina cake. His dishes showcased the Kingdom’s rich culinary heritage and cultural diversity.
Moreover, the 2025 Events DC Embassy Chef Challenge saw a sold-out audience gather at the historic Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium. Attendees enjoyed bites and beverages from 34 embassies, travelling the world with their taste buds. The event also featured cultural performances and was hosted by renowned Washington restaurateur and former Top Chef contestant, Spike Mendelsohn.
Guests voted for their favourite embassies throughout the evening. The People’s Choice awards were announced as follows:
- First Place: Chef Paolo Penalosa and Chef Maria Carmel Tagligan from the Embassy of the Philippines, presenting bangus a la pobre with garlic rice and eggplant salad.
- Second Place: Chef Bandar Alhenaki from the Embassy of Saudi Arabia, serving lamb kabsa and basbousa.
- Third Place: Chef Dr. Michaele C. Samuel from the Embassy of Grenada, presenting calypso mango shrimp salad.
Meanwhile, the Judges’ Choice awards were decided by a panel including Top Chef alum and Food Network star Chef Eric Adjepong, food writers Lenore T. Adkins and Tim Ebner, Chef Francis Otoo from the Embassy of Ghana, and Eater’s Northeast Editor Tierney Plumb. They awarded:
- First Place: Chef Michael Ciuffardi from the Embassy of Peru, with Seco Norteño Ravioli – handmade ravioli filled with cilantro-braised beef over loche squash emulsion.
- Second Place: Chefs Xianglin Zhu, Wen Su, and Wenhui Jia from the Embassy of China, presenting pineapple sweet and sour shrimp with osmanthus-scented lotus root threads cake.
- Third Place: Chef Ilham Achmakou from the Embassy of Morocco, with pastela featuring chicken and almonds.
Furthermore, the Best Beverage Award went to Chef Mykola Yudin from the Embassy of Ukraine for his Black Currant Nalyvka.
Chef Alhenaki emphasised that Saudi Arabia’s participation aimed to highlight the authenticity and prestige of its cuisine on an international stage, serving as a cultural symbol and an expression of national identity.
The annual Embassy Chef Challenge celebrates culinary diplomacy by bringing together chefs from Washington’s diplomatic missions. Dishes are evaluated based on presentation, taste, and cultural representation, while guests vote for the People’s Choice Award.
