You can seize the opportunity to observe the top chefs from across Canada vying for the coveted Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals of the Canadian Culinary Championships next week in Kelowna. I can’t resist the adrenalin.

Limited tickets are still available to the culmination of a year of competitions in which these chefs placed first in their rigorous regional challenge to earn the right to put their culinary skills on the line. If you are passionate about food, it’s a privilege you won’t want to miss.

Said Wolfgang Puck, “Cooking is like painting or writing a song. Just as there are only so many notes or colors, there are only so many flavors – it’s how you combine them that sets you apart.”

Following strict guidelines in three unique competitions, these chefs will draw upon their creativity, expertise, speed, and stamina to climb to the podium much like our talented Canadian Olympians. In fact, the net proceeds from the Canadian Culinary Championships are given to the Canadian Olympic Foundations which supports athletes and high-performance programs such as Own The Podium. To date nearly $12 million has been raised.

The late, great Chef Paul Bocuse said, “It is our duty to give meaning to the life of future generations by sharing our knowledge and experience; by teaching an appreciation of work well done and a respect for nature, the source of all life; by encouraging the young to venture off the beaten path and avoid complacency by challenging their emotions.”

We watch our athletes rise to the call in the Olympics, and in support of them, at the Canadian Culinary Championships, we can witness great chefs at peak performance. Each year I attend I am blown away by the ingenuity and skill of the competing chefs and their teams.

And as Julia Child observed, “People who love to eat are always the best people,” so it’s a joyful and fun event in which to participate.

Tickets can be purchased separately for the Friday and Saturday evening events. To witness the Black Box competition, you need to purchase the inclusive event pass.

EVENT DETAILS:

Mystery Wine Pairing – Competition I
Date: Friday, February 2, 2018
Time: 6 pm: Reception followed by sampling each Chef’s dish paired with the mystery wine
Venue: Delta Grand Okanagan Resort
Fee: $145
Parking: $24 in hotel Parkade, $32 for Valet
Dress: Smart Casual
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 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
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, five ‘Gold Medal Pints’ finalists (selected from 50 craft beers from across
Canada) will be featured and the bronze, silver and gold medal winning beers will be
announced! A silent auction of rare wines and other experiences is featured.
Food and wine included.
Please note the evening is a stand-up reception format. Food and wine included.

The Grand Finale – Competition III
Date: Saturday, February 3, 2018
Time: 6:30 pm
Venue: Delta Grand Okanagan Resort
Fee: $285
Parking: $24 in hotel Parkade, $32 for Valet
Dress: Cocktail

The Competition (stand up reception format)
6:30 pm Sample each Chef’s dish and their paired beverage and an opportunity to meet all attending Olympic athletes
The Celebration (seated, please refer to table number on your ticket)
8:15 pm Dessert created by Executive Pastry Chef Arthur Chen
MC: Olympic Gold Medalist in Ski Cross, Ashleigh McIvor
Entertainment: Canadian Classic Rock Band 54-40
Live auction of once-in-a-lifetime experiences
Crowning of Canada’s Best Chef for 2018!

Event Pass for all three competitions: $490

Tickets must be purchased in advance. For complete details on all of the competitions, competing chefs, judges, sponsorship partners, and to buy your tickets before they sell out, visit https://goldmedalplates.com/home/culinary-championships/

Moments from 2017 Competitions