Acclaim from Atlantic

Photo: Contributed

The Canadian Culinary Championships return to Kelowna Feb. 3-4.

Eleven of the best chefs from across the country have competed to represent their regions in Kelowna.

The Gold Medal Plates grand finale will take place at the Delta Grand Hotel, with the crowning of the national champion.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Canadian Olympic Foundation. 

Castanet is featuring an exclusive series of bios on the competing chefs leading up the event.

Ruth Wigman - Oppidan, St. John's, Newfoundland

Ruth Wigman graduated from Vancouver Island University before heading to the Rocky Mountains to pursue her career at the legendary Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and its Edith Cavell Dining Room, a AAA four diamond restaurant.

From there she joined the culinary brigade in Bermuda at the Fairmont Southampton and helped them garner the first ever AAA five star rated restaurant in the Caribbean.

She is a born competitor, placing second in the Escoffier Cup in Bermuda in 2005 beating all but one of an incredibly talented field and establishing herself as a culinary talent to be reckoned with. 

In 2008, Wigman and her husband Matt (also a chef) moved to Newfoundland with their son Isaiah. She quickly established herself as an immensely talented chef heading up the culinary brigade at Blue on Water, receiving much critical acclaim.

In 2013, Wigman competed in Gold Medal Plates Newfoundland and placed silver, she was the first woman to compete and place.

Also in 2013, Wigman appeared on Top Chef Canada and had another child named Hendrix.