8th International Tapas won by SHATEC Graduate Championship
by Darinee Durai
@ 02 Dec 2016
Miss Nayab Sidiqui made Singapore proud at the 8thInternational Tapas Competition by arising as the top over 11 other international finalists. She won the hearts of the judges including acclaimed Cher Oriol Castro of El BulliLab and even two Michelin star chef Ronny Emborg of Atera.
The International Tapas Competition is held yearly in the city of Valladolid, it is an event at which the current participants in the ICEX Training Program in Spanish Gastronomy compete for the title of “Best Tapas”. Nayab’s creation, Minature Torto, a delicacy of baby lamb ribs, extra virgin olive oil, red peppers from Lodosa and sweet paprika, won her a trip to next year’s edition of Madrid Fusión sponsored by Castillo de Canena where she will present her winning tapa, two nights at a Parador hotel and a chef’s jacket designed by Agatha Ruíz de la Prada.
This is the third year in the running which saw a SHATEC trainee representing Singapore in the prestigious ICEX Training Programme in Spanish Gastronomy. Last year’s representative, Teo Jun Xiang, clinched top prize in the same competition too. Samuel Quan, who represented Singapore in 2014 is currently helming the kitchen of Spanish restaurant-bar, Element at Amara Singapore.
