Vancouver meet the chefs who are representing your citys culinary reputation in the Gold Medal Plates Culinary Competition.
Angus An (Maenam), Joe Campo (Westin Bayshore Vancouver), Quang Dang (West Restaurant & Bar), David Gunawan (Wildebeest), Lee Humphries (C Restaurant) and Taryn Wa (Savoury Chef Foods) are among the 10 chefs who will be vying for BC gold in the prestigious cooking competition November 16 at the Westin Bayshore.
Its hands down the most respected food competition in each province, says WE Vancouver food critic Andrew Morrison who, along with the citys most respected wine palatte, Sid Cross, chose the 10 provincial contenders. Theres nothing like it. Its incomparable. Its something chefs want to do. If youre going to get the phone call to compete, this is the phone call you want to get.
The four other chefs competing to represent British Columbia in the national competition are Mark Filatow (Waterfront Restaurant & Wine Bar in Kelowna), Jeff Van Geest (Miradoro at Tinhorn Creek Winery in Oliver), Darin Paterson (Bogners of Penticton) and Nicholas Nutting (The Pointe at the Wickaninnish Inn).
At the November 16 event, each chef will prepare one appetizer-sized dish for approximately 500 to 800 guests, say event organizers. Chefs must select a Canadian wine or beverage to pair with his or her dish. They will be allowed a maximum of 10 staff members, in addition to two wine pourers per station.
Its everything we strive for, Gunawan said at Fridays announcement of the 10 competitors at Bishops Restaurant on West 4th. Its less of a competition and more of having a sense of community. We play with food and show what we can do.
Its liberating to do whatever we think can showcase our individuality. Were asked to explore different territories and do whatever we want without any parameters. We can be a bit more playful and whimsical.
Judges that night will be Chef John Bishop, James Chatto, Cross and Morrison, Barbara-Jo McIntosh, Lesley Stowe, and last years Vancouver winner, Chef Rob Feenie, who will also be cooking for the VIP reception that precedes the main event. Judging will be based on visual presentation (20 per cent), texture (20 per cent), taste (30 per cent), wine compatibility (10 per cent), originality (10 per cent) and wow factor (10 per cent).
Entertaining the crowd will be Jim Cuddy, the lead singer of Blue Rodeo, and an all-star cast of Canadian musicians and entertainers.
Since its inception, Gold Medal Plates has raised more than $6 million for the Canadian Olympic Foundation. The emcee at the dinner is gold-medal Olympic kayaker/canoeist Adam van Koeverden.
The first dinner I went to was so much fun, says the new honourary chair of the event, MLA Mary McNeil of Vancouver-False Creek. (Shes one of the Liberal MLAs whos announced shes not running in the next election. Norman Stowe of the Pace Group, which is organizing the event, joked that when they asked her to participate, we didnt think shed have to quit her day job to do it.)
McNeil is the Minister of Children and Family Development and she was the minister responsible for the Olympics. I hear youre tougher than Olympic judges, she told the judges at Fridays media event. Her job is easy, she said. I do nothing but eat, drink and be Mary.
Individual tickets are $392. Corporate tables (10 seats) are $3,500 and to have an Olympian to share the meal with you, its $5,5000 for a table of 10. For ticket information, contact George Lenko at [email protected] or 604-646-3566. GoldMedalPlates.com
