Chef Willi Franz of Grapevine Restaurant at Gray Monk Winery will need to clear off some shelf space for all the awards he’s been receiving lately. The Okanagan Chefs Association recently honored him as 2010 Chef of the Year, recognized by his peers for his work and commitment to both the association and his profession. Chef Willi sets a very high standard of professionalism in and out of the kitchen.
While fresh from winning this annual accolade he was again recognized with another Chef of the Year award, presented by the Western Region of the Canadian Culinary Federation of Chefs and Cooks (CCFCC). This western association presents this award to a chef who in the eyes of the membership best exemplifies the elements of professionalism, dedication to the craft of cooking and who makes a valuable contribution to the branch.
“A meal is meant to be the catalyst for great conversation while stirring the senses”, is Chef Willi’s approach to food. Born in Germany to parents who owned a country inn, this award-winning chef was introduced to cooking at a very young age. His culinary education has taken him through Germany, Switzerland, around the world on cruise ships and finally to Canada. Although trained in classic French cuisine, like any great chef, his style has evolved over the years and after arriving to Grapevine Restaurant and Gray Monk Winery a natural progression and inspiration to wine country cooking followed. His culinary experiences paired with the nationally recognized Gray Monk wines create a unique dining experience. He is also a member of the Chaine des Rotisseurs and is chair of the Okanagan branch of the CCFCC.
You can enjoy a meal by this double winning Chef of the Year when Grapevine Restaurant reopens for the season on April 1st. The restaurant is located among the vineyards overlooking Lake Okanagan in Okanagan Centre, a few minutes from downtown Kelowna.
Grapevine Restaurant located at Gray Monk Winery
1055 Camp Road, Okanagan Centre, BC
250-766-3168
