Photo: Contributed - Gold Medal Plates

Culinary events across the country have narrowed the field down to 11 chefs who will compete in Kelowna.

Members of Canada's Olympic team will join musical stars and the country's top chefs at the Canadian Culinary Championships next month in Kelowna.

Eleven of Canada’s fastest-rising chefs will cook for their lives Feb. 6 and 7 in support of Gold Medal Plates, a charitable effort which benefits the Canadian Olympic Foundation. Canadian rock stars Barney Bentall and musicians from Spirit of the West will entertain at the gala grand finale at the Delta Grand hotel.

Olympians confirmed to attend include:

• Jennifer Heil, Olympic gold and silver medallist in freestyle skiing, along with coach Dominick Gauthier 
• Adam Kreek, Olympic gold medallist, rowing 
• Simon Whitfield, Olympic gold and silver medallist, triathlon 
• Dylan Armstrong, Olympic bronze medallist, shot put 
• Kelowna’s own Curtis Myden, three-time Olympic bronze medalist, swimming 
• And local hero Kelsey Serwa, Olympic silver medalist in ski cross 

"There is a definite magic that happens when the chefs, Olympians and musicians get together. They are all striving for excellence in their craft and that creates a sweet and powerful harmony that our guests love," says Stephen Leckie, CEO and co-founder of Gold Medal Plates and the Canadian Culinary Championships. "It's not something you experience every day, and when it happens, it is electrifying. Everyone loves to celebrate excellence!" 

Chefs competing for the title of Canada's best include:

• Halifax: Renée Lavallée from The Canteen
• Winnipeg: Luc Jean from Jane’s
• Edmonton: Ryan O’Flynn from The Westin Edmonton
• Vancouver: Kristian Eligh from Hawksworth Restaurant
• Saskatoon: Chris Hill from The Delta Bessborough
• Toronto: John Horne from Canoe
• St. John’s: Mark McCrowe from Aqua Kitchen/Bar
• Ottawa: Patrick Garland from Absinthe Café
• Regina: Milton Rebello from Wascana Golf and Country Club
• Montreal: Antonio Park from Restaurant Park
• Calgary: Dave Bohati from Market Restaurant

Net proceeds from Gold Medal Plates ($9.5 million to date) are given to the Canadian Olympic Foundation, which supports Olympic athletes and high-performance programs such as Own the Podium. Kelowna is home to this prestigious Canadian competition until 2020. 

For further information on the event and tickets, visit www.goldmedalplates.com or email Demian Richardson at [email protected]