Photo: Contributed

The Canadian Culinary Championships return to Kelowna Feb. 2-3.

Eleven of the best chefs from across the country have competed to represent their regions, with the Gold Medal Plates grand finale at the Delta Grand Hotel.

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.

DAVID VINOYA – WILD SAGE KITCHEN & BAR, REGINA

At the age of 12, David Vinoya began cooking meals for his family. Since then, he's always known that being in a kitchen, preparing food for loved ones, is where he wants to be.

Born and raised in the Philippines, Vinoya completed his apprenticeship in 2004 and 2005 and went on to work in a number of Philippine hotel restaurants before moving to Canada.

Over the years, he has had professional experience in a range of restaurants and culinary training in a number of cuisines, including modern French, Asian, Western and Canadian.

He's become skilled at putting his own stamp on traditional dishes, creating new combinations and experimenting with new flavours while being careful not to compromise the freshness and originality of the food he prepares.