The competition was fierce, the determination was evident, as eleven of Canada’s best chefs competed for top honours during the coveted Canadian Culinary Championships on February 6 and 7, 2015 in Kelowna, B.C.
Chef Ryan O’Flynn of the Westin Edmonton, won with his Terrine of pine smoked Alberta river sturgeon and cured Quebec foie gras, wild North West Territory morels, textures of Okanagan apples, and toasted brioche, paired with Sandhill Small Lots 2013 Viognier.
Chef Kristian Eligh of Hawksworth Restaurant in Vancouver took the bronze, and the silver was awarded to Chef Antonio Park of Park Restaurant in Montreal. Dishes were Sablefish and lobster chowder in a bread bowl paired with Meyer Family 2012 Micro Cuvee Chardonnay, Old Main Road for the bronze; Bibimbap – Roulade of julienne vegetables, nine-hour braised shiitake+cauliflower, spinach, chicken boudin blanc, gochujang sheet, 63 degree/40 minute quail egg, crunchy assorted wild rice for silver.
The two-day event started with a Friday evening Mystery Wine Competition where chefs prepared a dish they felt perfectly suited the mystery bottle of wine they had received less than 24 hours before. The wine was unveiled as Stoneboat Vineyards 2012 Pinotage from the Okanagan Valley. Chefs were given $600 to shop for ingredients to provide a small plate nosh for the 500 guests in attendance. Invited guests were able to taste the chefs’ creations and cast their own ballot. Emerging as the People’s Choice for this single event was Chef Mark McCrowe of Aqua Kitchen/Bar from St. John’s, Newfoundland.
The Grand Finale at the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort and Conference Centre saw the eleven chefs competing in an all-out, slam-down competition. Dishes were partnered with their chosen Canadian winery/cidery. The evening was simply delicious, with the very best of Canada’s culinary scene fully evident.
This memorable two-day event will be held in Kelowna until 2020, with proceeds from Gold Medal Plates and the Canadian Culinary Championships given to the Canadian Olympic Foundation to support high performance athletes. To date, over $9.5 million has been raised.
