Winners from Canadian Culinary Championships 2020
Gold
Chef Roger Ma – Boulevard Kitchen and Oyster Bar
Vancouver, BC
Paired with Culmina 2018 Unicus Grüner Veltliner, Okanagan Valley, BC.
Silver
Chef Marc-André Jetté – Hoogan et Beaufort
Montreal, QC
Paired with Saison Bariquée from a collaboration of two breweries, Isle de Garde and Ma Brasserie, Montreal, QC.
Bronze
Chef Emily Butcher – deer + almond
Manitoba, MB
Paired with Tightrope 2018 Pinot Gris, VQA, Naramata Bench, BC.
Press Release Culinary Report Past Winners
Wine of the Year
Gold
Charles Baker 2016 Picone Vineyard Riesling
Silver
L’Acadie Vineyards 2007 Brut Prestige Cuvee
Bronze
Le Clos Jordanne 2017 Le Grand Clos Chardonnay
The Competitors
Culinary Competitors
Representing Vancouver
Roger Ma - Boulevard Kitchen and Oyster Bar, Vancouver, BC
Paired with 2018 Unicus Grüner Veltliner, Culmina Family Estate Winery, Oliver, BC
Representing Kelowna
Kai Koroll - BLOCK ONE Restaurant, 50th Parallel Winery, Lake Country, BC
Paired with 2017 Chardonnay, 50th Parallel Winery, Lake Country, BC
Representing Calgary
Jenny M. Kang - Shokunin, Calgary, AB
Paired with Élan Effervescence, Evolve Cellars, Penticton, BC
Representing Edmonton
JP Dublado - River Cree Resort and Casino, Edmonton, AB
Paired with Howling Bluff 2018 Sauvignon Blanc Sémillon, Naramata Bench, BC
Representing Winnipeg
Emily Butcher - deer + almond, Winnipeg, MB
Paired with Tightrope 2018 Pinot Gris, VQA, Naramata Bench, BC
Representing Saskatoon
Darren Craddock - The Village Bistro, Saskatoon, SK
Paired with Closson Chase 2017 South Clos Chardonnay, Hillier, ON
Representing Toronto
Keith Pears - W Toronto, Toronto
Paired with 2017 Reserve du Domaine Queylus Chardonnay, Niagara Peninsula, ON
Representing Ottawa/Gatineau
Ian Carswell - Black Tartan Kitchen, Carleton Place, ON
Paired with 2018 Pinot Noir, KIN Vineyards, Carp ON
Representing Montreal
Marc-André Jetté - Hoogan et Beaufort, Montreal, QC
Paired with Saison Bariquée from a collaboration of two breweries, Isle de Garde and Ma Brasserie, Montreal, QC
Representing Halifax
Barry Mooney - Fresh Twenty One, Dartmouth, NS
Paired with Benjamin Bridge small lot NV Brut Late Disgorged, Gaspereau, NS
Representing Moncton
Matt Pennell - Legends Restaurant, Moncton, NB
Paired with Motts Landing Brut Classic, Cambridge-Narrows, NB
Representing Newfoundland
Kyle Puddester - Fork, Mobile, NL
Paired with “Rock & Willow” Saison Landwash Brewery, Mount Pearl, NL
Best of Show Competitors
Best of Show Competitor
Mission Hill Family Estate 2017 Perpetua took the top prize in Vancouver. This wine has received other honours this year as well, including a coveted platinum medal at the 2019 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada. According to Vancouver judge DJ Kearney “it is such a beautifully complex and layered chardonnay with superb depth”. David Lawrason, National Head Judge
Best of Show Competitor
"50th Parallel Pinot Noir, served during the Celebration portion of the Kelowna event, took top honours. It is a ripe, rich and deeply fruited example from estate vineyards rising steeply from the shore of Lake Okanagan. It is one of the most northerly sites in the Okanagan,and it often shows very well in competitions". David Lawrason, National Head Judge
Best of Show Competitor
"It was the brilliant sparkling Fitz Brut from Fitzpatrick winery that took top honours at the Calgary event. It was vibrantly taut, well fruited yet complex". David Lawrason, National Head Judge
Best of Show Competitor
The bright and engaging Mission Hill 2018 Reserve Pinot Gris captured the hearts and minds of the wine judging panel in Edmonton. Four of the five judges gave it a first-place ranking. “It is exactly what B.C. pinot gris is supposed to be” said judge Mary Bailey, who doubled as a culinary judge this night. “It is well balanced, fresh yet well-textured, reminding me a bit of Alsatian pinot gris”.
Best of Show Competitor
"An unlikely hero instantly captured the hearts and minds of the wine judges in Saskatoon. From the first nosing and sip no one doubted that Closson Chase South Clos 2017 Chardonnay was going to be really hard to beat. It was complex, delicate and refined with Prince Edward County’s signature limestone minerality and acidity seamlessly stitching it all together to win Best of Show. It was also the wine paired with gold medal-winning chef Darren Craddock of LeBistro". David Lawrason, National Head Judge
Best of Show Competitor
"The monumental Charles Baker 2016 Picone Vineyard Riesling won the day in Toronto, garnering first or second place rankings from all five judges. And it was a repeat performance wherein the 2014 Picone Riesling won the day last year as well. From 40 year old vines atop the Niagara Escarpment it is a wine with great presence and depth, and in my view of the best ever to come out of Canada". David Lawrason, National Head Judge
Best of Show Competitor
"To no one’s great surprise Nova Scotia sparkling wine rose to the top at the Halifax Kitchen Party taking first, second and third place in the Best of Show competition. The winner by one vote was L’Acadie Vineyards 2007 Brut Prestige Cuvee, a hybrid-based sparkler aged en tirage (on its lees in bottle) for an astounding ten years! This golden oldie showed the classic, complex nutty, honeyed and toasty character of mature Champagne, it’s age also pointing to the maturing of Nova Scotia’s sparkling wine industry". David Lawrason, National Head Judge
Best of Show Competitor
"Amid wines from four provinces, it was a sparkling wine from New Brunswick that captured the Best of Show in Moncton, and for Mott's Landing Non-Vintage Brut Classic it was a repeat victory performance. It took top spot last year as well, and garnered doubled honours this year as it was also the wine paired with the dish created by gold medal-winning chef Matt Pennell of Legends in Moncton. It is a traditional method sparkling wine with the rich, honeyed, almost sweet fruit of Frontenac gris, cut by the fine acidity of this variety". David Lawrason, National Head Judge
About CCC
Staged in cities across Canada, the events are a celebration of the pillars of Canadian culture – sport, music and food with the purpose of providing young Canadians with the opportunity to be extraordinary in the same pillars. High performing athletes are provided with 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 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. Getting on the podium is very difficult. To win regional gold is a major achievement and to be crowned the top chef in Canada at the Canadian Culinary Championships is a career changer!
The Competitions
Mystery Wine Pairing
Chefs are given a mystery bottle of wine and are challenged to create a dish with local ingredients that best complement the mysterious vintage, in a set amount of time and with a set budget. Guests will have the pleasure of sampling these creations on the opening night of the competition, in a stand up cocktail reception format. During the event, guests will taste the mystery wine and play ‘judge’ as they vote on the ‘People’s Choice Award’ for the best food and wine pairing. In addition, local breweries will be showcased along with a fantastic silent auction. Food and wine included.
Black Box
One of the most exciting parts of the competition! Chefs will be given a black box containing a small array of diverse foods, and must produce and plate a spectacular dish for the national judges – all in one short hour! Guests won’t get much closer to watching an Iron Chef-type competition than this – you will be in the kitchen where all the action is! The local culinary college will create a fantastic spread of food during the competition for you to enjoy, and there is a mini-market featuring local products!
Grand Finale
On the final night of competition, anything goes. Chefs create their best dish for guests to sample, paired with a great Canadian beverage from their regional competition. By evening’s end, that year’s Canada’s Culinary Champion is crowned and a victory celebration will be staged including performances by some of Canada’s great musicians; elite athletes from amateur, para and pro-sport will be telling their stories; and signature trips will be available to incredible destinations! Food and beverages included.
CDN. Culinary Championships Photos
Partners
Thank you to the partners and supporters who provide vital support to the project!
NATIONAL
NATIONAL SUPPLIERS
CANADIAN CULINARY CHAMPIONSHIPS PARTNER
REGIONAL PARTNERS
SILVER PARTNER
