Many flavours on display

Photo: Nicholas Johansen

Clouds of smoky BBQ smell wafted through the air as dozens of people wandered around the back grassy area of the Kelowna Curling Club, sampling local food and beer.

The third annual KTown Showdown was held today, kicking off at 2 p.m.

Six chefs from different restaurants around Kelowna vied for the judge’s accolades, all while putting smiles on the faces of the many people sampling the food.

The weather fully cooperated and made for great beer drinking weather.

“It sounded like it’d be a fun time,” said Amanda Lewis, who had heard about the event from her mom. “I really like the Tree Brewing Grapefruit Radler.”

The key ingredient all chefs had to incorporate was pork, and each one used the ingredient in their own way.

Many walked around the event with custom KTown Showdown chef aprons that read, “I like pig butts and I can not lie.”

The event was sponsored by the Okanagan Astronomy Society, and they were on hand, with a telescope that allowed viewers to see sun spots and solar flares.

“Chef competitions are so exciting and ever since the Food Network became huge, people love this kind of thing,” said Tosca Marangoni, a member of the astronomy society who was on hand at the barbecue.

Bella Marangoni, Tosca’s daughter, is in culinary school at Okanagan School. She was enjoying the different flavours on display.

“(Chef Klassen’s) food is always excellent, very flavourful,” Bella said. “He has a soft taco with pulled pork and a peach salsa and it’s very nice and fresh.”