Gahwa Championships 2021

Background

Gahwa (Arabic coffee) is an integral part of Arab hospitality and the region’s heritage. The tradition of preparing and serving Gahwa represents a symbolic act of generosity. Due to its significance in Arab culture, Gahwa was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2015.

Given Gahwa’s cultural importance in the region, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi established the Gahwa Championships in December 2019. The Championships build on the success of the Bait Al Gahwa initiative, which aims to document and protect Gahwa as an important part of Emirati tradition.

The Championships will test participants’ knowledge of Gahwa, including its heritage, bean selection and preparation methods. The Championships will also feature the Gahwa Roaster Award and the Gahwa Beverage Concept Award.

CATEGORIES

The Championships will challenge participants across five categories, testing their knowledge of Gahwa’s heritage, their skills in selecting and roasting beans, as well as their preparation methods. The Championships will also feature the Gahwa Roaster Award and the Gahwa Beverage Concept Award.

SANE’ AL GAHWA CHAMPIONSHIP

SANE’ AL GAHWA CHAMPIONSHIP
LIGHT ROAST

This category challenges participants to achieve the best light roast brew using pre-roasted and ground beans. During their presentation, each participant must explain the steps, ingredients, and history behind the process to the audience. Participants will be evaluated on their knowledge of Gahwa as well as their bean selection and preparation methods. This category is open to all. View the guidelines for more details.
The Sane’ Al Gahwa – Light Roast category winner will win a grand prize of AED 100,000. The runner-up will receive AED 50,000.
Note: The complete rules and regulations for the Gahwa Championships 2021 will be shared with participants after the initial selection phase.
Register Now

SANE’ AL GAHWA CHAMPIONSHIP
MEDIUM / DARK ROAST

This category challenges competitors to achieve the best medium/dark brew using pre-roasted and ground beans. During their presentation, each participant must explain the steps, ingredients, and history behind the process to the audience. Participants will be evaluated on their knowledge of Gahwa as well as their bean selection and preparation methods. This category is open to all. View the guidelines for more details.
The Sane’ Al Gahwa – Medium/Dark Roast category winner will win a grand prize of AED 100,000. The runner-up will receive AED 50,000.
Note: The complete rules and regulations for the Gahwa Championships 2021 will be shared with participants after the initial selection phase.
Register Now

GAHWA ROASTER AWARD

GAHWA ROASTER AWARD
LIGHT ROAST

This category challenges participants to present the best light roasted beans. Their beans will be assessed by expert judges in a blind tasting. This category is open to individuals and roasting houses. View the guidelines for more details.
The recipient of the Gahwa Roaster Award - Light Roast will win a grand prize of AED 25,000. The runner-up will receive AED 15,000.
Note: The complete rules and regulations for the Gahwa Championships 2021 will be shared with participants after the initial selection phase.
Register Now

GAHWA ROASTER AWARD
MEDIUM / DARK ROAST

This category challenges participants to present the best medium and dark roasted beans. Their beans will be assessed by expert judges in a blind tasting. This category is open to individuals and roasting houses. View the guidelines for more details.
The recipient of the Gahwa Roaster Award - Medium/Dark Roast will win a grand prize of AED 25,000. The runner-up will receive AED 15,000.
Note: The complete rules and regulations for the Gahwa Championships 2021 will be shared with participants after the initial selection phase.
Register Now

Gahwa Beverage Concept Award

GAHWA BEVERAGE CONCEPT AWARD

The award will go to the most inventive hot or cold concept beverage featuring Gahwa as the main ingredient. Expert judges will then assess the beverages based on their ingenuity, flavour, and presentation. This category is open to all. View the guidelines for more details.
The recipient of the Gahwa Beverage Concept Award will win a grand prize of AED 20,000.
Note: The complete rules and regulations for the Gahwa Championships 2021 will be shared with participants after the initial selection phase.
Register Now

PARTNERS

Programming Partner
Programming Partner
Venue Partner
Venue Partner
Venue Partner
Venue Partner
Organising Body
Organising Body
Venue Partner
Venue Partner

VENUE

Al Hosn Site

 Location: Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Street, Al Hosn – Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Click here for directions

FAQ's

FAQs: General

The Championships will be part of Al Hosn Festival. The Festival is a cultural experience that reflects and reimagines Abu Dhabi’s heritage. this event brings together historic traditions, contemporary culture and newly emerging artistic perspectives across the cultural landscape of the Al Hosn site.

Daily from 04:00 am to 11:00 pm.

Entry to the event is 30 AED per visitor.
-Free entry for children under 5
-All tickets include admission to Qasr Al Hosn, the House of Artisans and Bait Al Gahwa
-Tickets valid only for the date shown on the ticket

” All Jubilee Pass holders, Senior Citizens and Fazaa Frontline Heroes card holders are entitled to a 25% discount. Discounted tickets are available at the ticket booths by showing the appropriate accreditation. “

https://abu-dhabi.platinumlist.net/event-tickets/77573/al-hosn-festival

Yes, special access for people of determination will be provided at the entrance to the venue. Should further or more specific support be required, please notify the organisers prior to the event by email at: gahwachampionships@dctabudhabi.ae

You can get in touch with by visiting www.gahwachampionships.ae, emailing us at gahwachampionships@dctabudhabi.ae or calling us on +971 (0)503310265.

The event is open to people of all ages; however, those under the age of 16 years must be accompanied by an adult.

• Show a green status on Al Hosn App.
• Show a negative PCR test result within 96 hours at the time of entry to the festival.
• Commit to wearing a face mask at all times.
• Kids below 16 years need to show only green status on Al Hosn App

FAQs: Participants

Registration for competitors is now closed. Please enter your email below to receive news, information and updates regarding the Championships.

There is no minimum age for participants; however, all participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Yes, special access for people of determination will be provided at the entrance to the venue. Should further or more specific support be required, kindly notify the organisers prior to the event.

You do not need to be a recognised Gahwa specialist or practitioner to enter, but you will need to demonstrate a passion for this intrinsic Arab cultural heritage.

Each category is evaluated differently. For example, Sane’ Al Gahwa categories evaluates participants on their knowledge of Gahwa, bean selection and preparation, the roasting process or creativity in beverage preparation and design.

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