For the first time ever in Gold Medal Plates history, a 2nd generation chef takes home the title of Gold Medal Chef at the Calgary Gold Medal Plates. Following in the footsteps of her mother, Eden Hrabec, took him the Culinary Crown. Hrabec’s mother took home the prized Gold Medal in 2009. Celebrated in ten cities acrossCanada in 2012, Gold Medal Plates features the premiere chefs in each city in grueling competition to crown a gold, silver and bronze medal culinary team.
Chef Eden Hrabec of Crazyweed Kitchen in Canmore proved that she’s culinary force to be reckoned with when she took home the gold medal. Chef Hrabec, the only female competitor went head to head with some of the finest culinary masters inCalgary at the prestigious culinary competition held at the Telus Convention Centre. By winning the gold medal, Hrabec has earned herself a spot to compete at the Canadian Culinary Championships taking place inKelowna in February 2013.
To lock up the win, Chef Hrabec impressed the judges with Brown Buttered Sweetbreads, Apricot Masala, Smashed Baby Potatoes with Wilted Spinach, Chicken Black Pepper Poppadom and Preserved Lemon. The paired wine was a 2010 Noble Blend from Joie Farms from theOkanaganValleyinBritish Columbia.
“This is my first year competing as an Executive Chef and I’m so proud my team. Winning gold means a lot to me and I couldn’t be happier to bring home a second gold medal for our family. I can’t wait to get toKelownato compete for a chance to win the National culinary title.”
Placing second and taking home the silver medal was Chef Cam Dobranksi of Brasserie / Wine Bar Kensington with his House Made Brome Duck Pastrami & Foie Sandwich, brilliantly paired with the 2011 Cellar Hand White of the Black Hills Estate Winery in the Okanagan of British Columbia.
Chef Duncan Ly, a former Gold Medal winner, took home the bronze this year with his delicious Petite Saddle of Lamb, Pearl Onion and Raison Preserve, Apple and Parsnip Parfait paired with a 2009 Syrah of Sandhill in the Okanagan of British Columbia.
The guests were not only treated to the finest in food, they also had an opportunity to mingle some of Canada’s best Olympians including Rosie McLennan – Gymnastics, Kyle Shewfelt – Gymnastics, Jamie Sale – Figure Skating, Shannon Remple – Speed Skating, Kristina Groves – Speed Skating, Denny Morrison- Speed Skating, Isabelle Charest – Speed Skating, Theoren Fleury – Ice Hockey and Cheryl Bernard – Curling.
The evening concluded with special intimate musical performances by Jim Cuddy, Barney Bentall and Theoren Fleury for the guests.
Co-Chairs Bruce Edgelow of ATB and Lois Mitchell of Rainmaker Global Business Development were thrilled with the overwhelming support to this long running event inCalgary. Edgelow noted that “Calgarydidn’t disappoint and come out and supported our Olympians stronger than ever. Generous bidders bought over $400,000 worth of once in a lifetime trips with Olympians and Canadian entertainers to such amazing places as Tuscany, South Africa, Chile and Provence, even a private golf game with the great Wayne Gretzky in California.”
Co-Chair Lois Mitchell said “Calgaryhas always given incredible support to our Olympians and we couldn’t be happier with the results of the evening. It was a truly inspiring night.”
The 2012 Gold Medal Plates Competition
Gold Medal Plates is the ultimate celebration of Canadian Excellence in cuisine, wine, entertainment and athletic achievement. Celebrating in ten cites across Canada in 2012, Gold Medal Plates featured superb Canadian wines, premier chefs and Canadian Olympic athletes, in a competition to crown a gold, silver and bronze medal culinary team in each city, and subsequently nation-wide. Since 2004, this event has received tremendous support and accolades all acrossCanada, and generated a combined net total of over $6.3 million forCanada’s Olympic athletes. For more information, visit Gold Medal Plates website
Canadian Olympic Foundation– The Beneficiary of the events: Net proceeds from Gold Medal Plates are given to the Canadian Olympic Foundation to support high performance programs such as Own the Podium. To learn more about the Foundation and the programs it funds, please visit www.olympicfoundation.ca
