Chefs go for the gold

Photo: Contributed

Next week will see some of Canada’s top chefs and athletes arriving in Kelowna for the Canadian Culinary Championships.

They'll also be spending time at Big White Ski Resort leading up to the event, which is fundraiser for Canada's Olympic team.

Tuesday through Thursday, Gold Medal Plates guests including last year's champion, Ryan O’Flynn, entertainer Barney Bentall and Olympic spokesperson Gillian Apps will be at the resort with 68 foodies from across the country who purchased deluxe ski vacations through the Gold Metal Plates live auction.

The ski and culinary week is donated by Big White in support of our Olympic athletes.

“This is our sixth year of supporting Gold Medal Plates,” said Trevor Hanna, vice-president of hospitality at the resort. “We are happy to support their efforts when we see the results in the level of athletes that they are funding. Our own Kelsey Serwa is a great example of this – over the years, we have watched her go from local mountain racer to Olympic athlete.”

Events will include a four-course “Last Supper” prepared by O’Flynn, an outdoor hockey game with athletes and celebrities, and a five-course B.C. Legends Dinner by Chef de Cuisine Ben Overland and Executive Chef Chad Miller.

Down in the valley, action at the culinary championships gets underway Thursday, with a welcome reception for the chefs at Sandhill Winery.

On Friday, meet the judges at a VIP reception at the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort, followed by the Mystery Wine Pairing Competition that evening.

Saturday, competition heats up with the popular Blackbox Competition at the Okanagan College Cafeteria/Culinary Arts Centre, from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

And it all wraps up that night with the Grand Finale Competition at the Grand and the crowning of Canada's top chef for 2016.

Tickets remain for some events and can be purchased online at www.goldmedalplates.com or by calling 647-328-0149.