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Saskatoon

All-Star Invitational

This year’s regional qualifier, held at Prairieland Park October 29th, was an evening of elegance, artistry, and exceptional taste. Guests were treated to an immersive experience executed by Saskatoon’s All-Star Chefs. To celebrate our 20th anniversary, two chefs will represent Saskatoon at the national finals: Anthony McCarthy, Calgary’s appointed Chef of Distinction and Garrett Thienes, who is the winner of the regional competition. Don’t miss cheering them on at the Canadian Culinary Championship.

The Winners


Silver Medalist: Scott Torgerson, University Club of Saskatoon

Dish: Glazed Duck Breast with Pumpernickel Duck Leg Filling. Foie Gras with Cocoa Earl Grey Cardamom Vein. Gin Sour Cherry Sauce. Parsnip Foam. Puffed Grains. Pickled Rhubarb. Speculoos
Pairing: Haywire 2025 Pinot Gris, Summerland, BC


Gold Medalist: Garrett Thienes, Harvest Eatery

Dish: Prairie & Fire — smoked and koji-aged Speckle Park strip loin, silken bone marrow custard on puffed tendon, wild saskatoon and sea buckthorn, pickled Saskatchewan mustard, charred allium ash, sage
Moraine 2022 Meritage, Naramata Bench, BC


Bronze Medalist: Taszia Thakur, Calories Restaurant & Pique

Dish: The Prairie Bison - cold smoked bison tataki, braised tongue stuffed morel mushroom & crispy croquette, bone marrow panna cotta, tendon crisps, and rich demi-glace. Fermented squash, toasted sesame, seabuckthorn, and herbs
Pairing: Covert Farms Family Estate 2018 Amicitia, Oliver BC


Click here to see this year's culinary report

Click here to see our previous culinary winners


Representing Saskatoon at the Canadian Culinary Championship:

Chef Anthony McCarthy, is a globally experienced chef and passionate culinary educator at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. He is our 2011 Gold Medal Plates Winner as well as a four-time Chef of the Year, and Western Canadian Chef of the Year.

Chef Garrett Thienes is the chef and co-owner of Harvest Eatery & Fresh Market in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan — the award-winning restaurant he opened in 2013 with his wife Kristy, built on a simple wager: that people would travel for great food, no matter how small the town. He captured gold at Canada's Great Kitchen Party Saskatoon in 2023 with a dish of rabbit, bacon, sunchoke, bordelaise, rhubarb, plum mustard, and smoke, earning his second trip to the Canadian Culinary Championship — his first came via a Gold Medal Plates win, with nationals in Kelowna in 2017. In 2024, he was inducted into Canada's Great Kitchen Party Hall of Fame.


The People's Choice

Chef Garrett Thienes of Harvest Eatery

Dish: Prairie & Fire — smoked and koji-aged Speckle Park strip loin, silken bone marrow custard on puffed tendon, wild saskatoon and sea buckthorn, pickled Saskatchewan mustard, charred allium ash, sage

Pairing: Moraine 2022 Meritage, Naramata Bench, BC


The All Star Contenders

Darren Craddock
Dakota Dunes Resort

Shaun McConnell
Riverside Country Club

Justin O'Reilly
Loqui

Garrett 'Rusty' Thienes
Harvest Eatery

Dining with Purpose

At the heart of the evening is a deeper intention.

Your participation supports Canadian charities with local impact - dedicated to ensuring youth have access to music education through MusiCounts, sport opportunities through Spirit North and health opportunities through Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre.

Together, we are creating opportunities, nurturing potential, and strengthening communities across the country.

To date, we have raised 19.9 million.

It is an experience that resonates far beyond the table.


Partners

Saskatoon Photos 2026