THE heat is on to find Cambodia’s best bartender, barista, waiter, fruit carver and cake decorator during the first Camfood and Camhotel 2010 industry show in Phnom Penh, which opens tomorrow.

“Hotels, restaurants, culinary institutions, airlines, cafes, bistros, or catering organizations are eligible to participate in these competitions,” said Luu Meng, president of the Cambodia Hotel Assocation.

“Candidates need to bring along all relevant items for their chosen competition,”he said.

The industry fair, which runs through Saturday at Diamond Island Convention Centre in Phnom Penh, brings togetherabout 200 companies for the three-day event.

One of the highlights will be a decorated cake that stands 2.2 metres high and is covered with lotus flowers and vines.

Ruth Larwill from Bloom Cakes and Cafe in Phnom Penh is in charge of making the giant cake, which took about 1,000 hours to bake and decorate.

A team of about 22 pastry chefs worked on the giant cake, she said.

Bartenders will be showing their skills in making drinks both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, with the aim of finding a national cocktail that best expresses the spirit of Cambodia.

“These competitions will choose cocktail experts both international and national in order to find Cambodian recipes to compete on the international stage,” said Jeroen Van Daalen of wine importer Celliers d’Asie.

Waiters’ races should prove plenty of fun for spectators as well as competitors. In addition, there will be bed-making contests for housekeeping staff in hotels.