West Kelowna

Mission Hill's top-rated chef will be taking on the Fairmont Empress hotel's chef in an Iron-Chef-style competition in Victoria next month.

Mission Hill and Fairmont Empress present the inaugural 'Mission Emp-Possible - Battle of the Chefs' on February 24. The event will be hosted by Iron Chef America and The Thirsty Traveler personality, Kevin Brauch.

The battle will feature Executive Chef, Takashi Ito of The Fairmont Empress, who will challenge Mission Hill Executive Winery Chef, Matthew Batey. Each Chef will prepare a five-course tasting menu paired with five wines personally selected and presented by Mission Hill’s chief winemaker, John Simes.

“The lively engagement of Brauch with the expertise of winemaker Simes and culinary talents of Ito and Batey will be a potent combination”, says Martin Leclerc, general manager of The Fairmont Empress.

“Having attended culinary school on the Island and apprenticed at the Empress in the '90s, I’m thrilled to return to my hometown and work with Chef Ito in what will undoubtedly be an entertaining epicurean showdown,” says Chef Matthew Batey.

Critiqued by a panel of celebrity judges from the Pacific Northwest, each Chef will battle to present their courses with gastronomic flair including flavour, appearance and complementary wine pairing. Ultimately, the winning Chef will celebrate the glory of being crowned the winner of Mission Emp-Possible – Battle of the Chefs.

Tickets for the event are $150 per person exclusive of taxes and gratuities, and only 130 spaces are available. Reservations are available by calling 250-389-2727.