Cairo 5-Star Hotel Can Stand the Heat in a Kitchen Unlike Any Other in the Mid-East

CAIRO, EGYPT--(Marketwired - May 6, 2014) - Visitors to Cairo generally have a long list of must-see attractions, from the Pyramids of Giza, to the Nile. But with the unveiling of the new kitchen at the Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino, travelers can add dining to that list. Because with cutting-edge technology, eco-friendly features and, of course, a passion for food, the hotel now follows a tantalizing, one-of-a-kind recipe when creating its world-class cuisine.

Offering no fewer than 13 places to eat in Cairo, Egypt (not to mention catering options for the more than 35,000 square feet of event space), the hotel is accustomed to creating inspired menus from fresh ingredients. But its new, "Green Kitchen" has taken that practice to a level never before seen in the Middle East, let alone other downtown Cairo restaurants.

For starters, the hotel is committed to environmentally-sensitive practices, both for reasons of sustainability and for those concerning the palate. So guests can expect to enjoy fruits and vegetables grown in greenhouses that are regularly inspected to ensure the produce bears no trace of illegal pesticides. Lava stones are used instead of coal as a cleaner source of energy. And all bakery items are made on-site, including the pasta, which must be used within several days or be discarded. Even the ice-cream is made in-house with fresh cream and fruits.

While this historic hotel in Cairo may claim a legacy stretching back to the 19^th century, its technology is nothing short of futuristic.

• Each area of the kitchen showcases a large monitor with Internet connectivity that allows chefs to check recipes and methods.
• The "smart ovens" are all computerized, allowing chefs to simply punch in a recipe code for perfect cooking.
• Chimneys, commonly used in Egypt, have been eliminated in favor of a newly-installed, air-filtration system that filters, renews and releases air, while transforming steam and smoke into their liquid forms before draining them away.
• Anti-erosion drainage pipes have been installed to prevent blockage.
• All drains employ valves that prevent the return of water or odor to the sink.
• Five enormous, walk-in refrigerators allow chefs to store meat, fish and other foods separately and thus abide by the strictest food-safety protocols.
• The same ultraviolet lamps used by dentists to optimize hygiene are also employed during food preparation.

In keeping with the new equipment, the kitchen staff operates under strict protocols. Chefs, for example, wash their hands with the same soap that physicians' use before surgery. And the kitchen temperature is always kept at a cool 18 degrees Celsius, even when the chefs have gone home for the night. Not only does this reduce stress and sweat among chefs during operating hours, but it also inhibits bacteria growth.

Whether guests are looking for banquet options or a Cairo café experience, the many options at this elegant property will not disappoint. Of course, perhaps the best way to try out the new Green Kitchen is at the Chef's Table. Located within the buzzing kitchen, the Table allows guests to sample a menu before an event. The experience, which features the hum and din of a working, 21^st-century kitchen alongside mouthwatering menu options, is one that just might outrank the Pyramids.

About the Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino
Originally built in 1869 as a palace to impress the visiting French Empress Eugenie, the five-star Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino continues to impress in its current incarnation. Its twin towers stretch upwards for 20 stories as they overlook six acres of palace gardens and the indomitable Nile. Its 977 rooms have been updated to include luxury bedding, high-speed Wi-Fi and enhanced workspaces, while 111 suites embody luxury. The 13 restaurants prepare a variety of cuisines on property, from French to Japanese; 35,553 square feet of meeting and banquet space welcome events of every sort; and a world-class casino provides glittering entertainment. The hotel is also near the legendary Pyramids of Giza as well as the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities and the Cairo Opera House, making its location as dramatic as its amenities.