Last week’s column gave an overview of what Kelowna audiences can expect at the upcoming Canadian Culinary Championships. We’re now just a few days away from this exciting event and those lucky enough to have tickets to the Grand Finale on Saturday night (February 7) at the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort have a few more surprises in store.
The evening’s festivities are being emcee’d by Jennifer Heil, three-time Olympian and Silver medalist in freestyle skiing. She will be joined by 10 other super-talented Olympians who will each speak to the audience about their personal journey, passion, and commitment to sport. The evening’s entertainment will be provided by legendary musicians Barney Bentall and members of the band Spirit of the West. What happens when you have that much top-notch Canadian talent in a single room? You’ll just have to wait and see!

The Olympians who will be present at the Canadian Culinary Championships for 2015 are:
- Dylan Armstrong, Two-time Olympian & Olympic Bronze Medalist, Athletics
- Dominic Gauthier, Olympic Coach, Freestyle Skiing
- Jennifer Heil, Three-time Olympian & Olympic Gold and Silver Medalist, Freestyle Skiing
- Kevin Hill, Olympian, Snowboard
- Adam Kreek, Two-time Olympian & Olympic Gold Medalist, Rowing
- Marie-Eve Marleau, Olympian, Diving
- Curtis Myden, Three-time Olympian & Three Time Olympic Bronze Medalist, Swimming
- Jeff Pain, Three-time Olympian & Olympic Silver Medalist, Luge
- Maelle Ricker, Four-time Olympian and Olympic Gold Medalist, Snowboard Cross
- Kelsey Serwa, Two-time Olympian & Olympic Silver Medalist, Freestyle Skiing
- Simon Whitfield, Four-time Olympian & Olympic Gold and Silver Medalist, Triathlon
What else happens at the Grand Finale competition on February 7? The 11 competing chefs prepare their signature dish, paired with a wine, spirit, beer or cider of their choice. The dishes are judged by a panel of food judges from across Canada – these are restaurant reviewers and food critics with keen palates who are certainly well-qualified to grade the 11 dishes placed in front of them. It’s not all about this competition though – there will have already been two competitions with dishes that have been graded, taking place on Friday evening and Saturday morning. The chef with the best overall score for their competition game over the three events will win the title of Canadian Culinary Champion, the best chef in Canada. True to the form of the beneficiary of the events (the Canadian Olympic Foundation), there is a podium on Saturday night. The chefs placing on the podium will win bronze, silver, and gold.
For more information about the competing chefs and competition as a whole, check out www.goldmedalplates.com. You can still get tickets although they are getting scarce, so make sure you get your tickets by going online or by contacting Demian Richardson at [email protected]. Bon appetit!
This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.