Canadian Culinary Championships Compete In Kelowna February 1-2, 2019
This year we’ll be heading up to Kelowna again for the Canadian Culinary Championships and are looking forward to hearing back from the chefs as we’ve sent them a series of questions leading up to the big competition to get to know each of them better.
Regional competitions were held in eleven cities across the country and the regional qualifiers – called Canada’s Great Kitchen Party – pitted 5-10 regional chefs against each other. In each city, there were three who stood on the podium but only one awarded the opportunity to move on to the national competition. The Canadian Culinary Championships competitors are now training for the two-day event taking place in Kelowna, BC, February 1 – 2, 2019.
The 2019 Canadian Culinary Championships competitors include:
REPRESENTING . . . 
British Columbia
Takashi Ito – AURA waterfront restaurant + patio, Victoria
Edmonton
Davina Moraiko – RGE RD
Calgary
Dave Bohati – Murrieta’s
Saskatchewan
Christopher Hill – Taste Restaurant Group
Winnipeg
Jesse S. Friesen – The Merchant Kitchen
Toronto
Elia Herrera – Los Colibris
Ottawa/Gatineau
Yannick LaSalle – Restaurant Les Fougères, Chelsea, QC
Montreal
Jason Morris – Pastel
New Brunswick and PEI
Irwin MacKinnon – Papa Joe’s, Charlottetown, PEI
Nova Scotia
Thomas Carey – Fresh Twenty One, Dartmouth
Newfoundland
Katie Hayes – Bonavista Social Club, Bonavista Peninsula
“We are thrilled to announce this talented line-up of chefs who will be making their way to Kelowna in February,” comments Lisa Pasin, Co-Founder of Canada’s Great Kitchen Party and the Canadian Culinary Championships. “Nowhere else in the country will this kind of talent be brought together. Come and enjoy the best food in Canada and understand why each of them were seen as the best in their city!”
“The Championships are not for the faint of heart. The challenges are intense and grueling with three competitions taking place in two days. The chefs are excited and passionate to compete against their peers – and rest assured they all come to win. This year we are thrilled with the lineup that includes three returning chefs: Dave Bohati, Murrieta’s; Christopher Hill, Taste Restaurant and Jesse Friesen, The Merchant Kitchen,” comments James Chatto, Head Judge and National Culinary Advisor, Canada’s Great Kitchen Party and Canadian Culinary Championships. “And to add to this exciting mix, we have three women competing at the Canadian Culinary Championships, which will showcase the talent that female chefs bring to our industry.”
Tickets to the 2019 event are welling fast, attendees can choose from three event package options to include the Friday Mystery Wine Pairing Competition, the Black Box Competition or the Saturday Grand Finale featuring musical entertainment by one of Canada’s iconic rock bands, Chilliwack with the rock legend Bill Henderson as the frontman; elite athletes from amateur, para and pro-sport will be telling their stories; and signature trips will be available to incredible destinations. Anticipated to be sold out events, tickets can be purchased online at http://www.greatkitchenparty.com/
Canadian Culinary Championships – The Canadian Culinary Championships is the national finale of the Canada’s Great Kitchen Party regional events which are held annually in the fall. The regional events have been created to elevate and celebrate three pillars of Canadian culture – sport, music and food. The purpose: providing young Canadians the opportunity to be extraordinary in the same pillars. High performing athletes are provided the support they need to compete on the world stage. Musical instruments are purchased for schools, enabling students to discover the magic of music. And kids learn from leading Canadian chefs how to grow, cook and share healthy food addressing food security for all youth. Canada’s Great Kitchen Party and the Canadian Culinary Championships support B2ten, MusiCounts and Community Food Centres Canada.
In each of the eleven cities, 8 – 10 chefs compete with a dish of their choice paired with a Canadian wine, beer or spirit. To be invited to compete locally is a notch in the belt. To get on the podium is very difficult. To win gold is a major achievement! To be crowned the top chef in Canada at the Canadian Culinary Championships is a career changer! www.greatkitchenparty.com/ca/culinary-championships/
The Sport Beneficiary: Canada’s Great Kitchen Party will support Canadian athletes through the purpose and legacy of B2ten. B2ten exists to have significant impact on sport in Canada. B2ten contributes to amateur sport and the greater good of society by providing optimal training and preparation services to elite amateur athletes; investing in the development of Canada’s coaches and professional service providers; and developing a legacy of enhanced sport, play and well-being.
The Music Beneficiary: Canada’s Great Kitchen Party will provide musical instruments for children in 20 schools every year. MusicCounts is keeping music alive in schools and communities across Canada by putting musical instruments into the hands of children that need them most. MusicCounts is Canada’s music education charity, affiliated with the JUNO Awards and supported by many of Canada’s top musicians. The instruments they supply last over 15 years and well over 800,000 children have known the joy of music as a result of their programs.
The Food Beneficiary: Canada’s Great Kitchen Party will support Canadian children to gain the skills and confidence they need to become the next generation of food leaders through unforgettable mentorship sessions with talented Canadian chefs. Community Food Centres Canada and their affiliate food organizations offer high-impact food programs that bring people together to grow, cook, share, and advocate for good food for all.
