Canada’s Great Kitchen Party rocks downtown Ottawa

Ten chefs from across the country compete in grand finale of Canadian Culinary Championship

Editor's Note

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Last fall, Canada’s Great Kitchen Party went on a gastronomic adventure, hitting 10 cities across Canada in search of culinary excellence.

The extended but enticing road trip reached its destination this weekend, arriving to Ottawa for the national finale of its Canadian Culinary Championship. Contenders — who hailed from Whistler to St. John’s, and major cities in between — earned their spots through regional competitions held during September, October and November.

Representing Ottawa was Raghav Chaudhary, executive chef of downtown fine-dining restaurant Aiāna.

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Executive chef Raghav Chaudhary in action at the national finale of Canada’s Great Kitchen Party’s Canadian Culinary Championship held at the Shaw Centre on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The night was much more than just a cooking contest, however. It kicked off with a colossal cocktail party at the Shaw Centre with some 550 attendees. Guests indulged in the culinary creations of the finalists. More than 50 students of Algonquin College volunteered.

There was also wine and beer, including Ottawa’s own KIN Vineyards. It’s owned by Lorraine Mastersmith, the firm managing partner at Gowling WLG, and Shaun McEwan, president of defence and security technology company ADGA. 

Co-chairing the event were Kevin MacIntosh, CEO of coastal engineering firm Baird & Associates; Mike Taggart, president of Taggart Construction; and Mike Dimitriou, regional managing partner for national accounting and business consulting firm MNP. It was the second year MNP was back as presenting sponsor.

Dimitriou told OBJ.social he enjoys the Great Kitchen Party for its great wine, food and people, as  well as for its promotion of Canadian cuisine and the charities that help young people in the areas of sport, music and food insecurity. The causes were Spirit North, MusiCounts, BGC Ottawa and Ottawa Network for Education’s School Breakfast Program. 

The business leader also appreciates the hard work of the culinary profession, not just because he’s deep into the second season of the chef-focused hit show The Bear, but because Dimitriou worked extensively in restaurants when he was younger.

Event co-chair Mike Dimitriou, regional managing partner of presenting sponsor MNP, with event co-emcee Sylvie Bigras and event co-chair Kevin MacIntosh, CEO of Baird & Associates, at the Shaw Centre for the finale of Canada’s Great Kitchen Party’s Canadian Culinary Championship. Photo by Caroline Phillips

After the reception, guests gathered in one of the spacious halls. The chefs, who were escorted into the room by a piper, were full of camaraderie and celebration. They regularly hugged each other and cheered one another on.

The evening program featured exceptional live performances by Canadian musicians. Steven Page, who, along with being co-founder and former lead singer of the Barenaked Ladies, is a Canadian treasure. His songs got dozens of attendees flocking to the front of the stage, where they danced and allowed themselves to get lost in the music. Page performed with fellow talented artist Kevin Fox, who opened with a captivating cover of the Eurythmics’ Sweet Dreams, played on cello.

The formal program was emceed by Sylvie Bigras and TV host and producer for Rogers’ Daytime, Derick Fage, the latter of whom was also the live auctioneer. He sold off one-of-a-kind dinners and unique travel opportunities that went for thousands of dollars to multiple top bidders. There was also a raffle prize for a luxury three-night trip for two to any Sandals Resort.
Derick Fage, well-known television host and producer on Rogers TV, was co-emcee and live auctioneer at the national finale of Canada’s Great Kitchen Party’s Canadian Culinary Championship held at the Shaw Centre on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Canadian singer-songwriter and musician Steven Page was the headlining performer, joined by multi-instrumentalist Kevin Fox, at the national finale of Canada’s Great Kitchen Party’s Canadian Culinary Championship held at the Shaw Centre on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. Photo by Caroline Phillips
The 10 finalists of the national finale of Canada’s Great Kitchen Party’s Canadian Culinary Championship on stage at the Shaw Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Former Ottawa national champions Marc Lepine and Briana Kim donated to the auction an eight-person dinner with wine pairings at Lepine’s restaurant, Atelier. Lepine has won the competition twice, in 2012 and 2016. Kim, who won last year, has plans to open a new restaurant, Antheia, this spring.

Yannick La Salle is another former national champion from the region. The 2019 top-place finisher donated to the auction a multi-course feast for eight, paired with various Champagnes. La Salle, formerly at Les Fougères in Chelsea, is now the chef for the Supreme Court of Canada’s judges.

2017 silver medalist chef Joe Thottungal also helped out by hosting some 20 visiting chefs at his restaurant Coconut Lagoon late last week.

Stephen Leckie, CEO and co-founder of the Canadian Culinary Championship, noted with pride that Ottawa has been “punching above its weight” by winning four championship trophies over the years. “I think Toronto only has two,” he playfully remarked, stirring the pot of competition.

Stephen Leckie, CEO and co-founder of Canada’s Great Kitchen Party’s Canadian Culinary Championship, raises a glass in a toast during the grand finale event held at the Shaw Centre on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The Canadian Culinary Championships, established in 2006, serves as a platform for celebrating Canada’s culinary talent.

Some 100 chefs compete annually in what organizers describe as the “most grueling and most wonderful” competition. This past weekend, the finalists competed in two events leading up to Saturday night’s grand finale at the Shaw Centre. Among the 1o judges was Ottawa’s Cory Haskins, academic chair of culinary arts at Algonquin College. “To have these 10 chefs here this weekend, after they’ve had to duke it out with 90 other chefs to get here, is very special,” Leckie told the room.

By the end of the night, organizers were ready to announce the winners. Western Canada dominated the podium this year. Whistler, B.C. chef Jasper Cruikshank of the Wild Blue Restaurant + Bar won gold. Chef Rupert Garcia of The Fairmont Palliser hotel in Calgary took home silver and Red Deer Resort and Casino chef JP Dublado was announced the bronze winner.  There were repeated chants of “JP” from the culinary community as the chef, winner of the 2024 People’s Choice Award, made his way to the stage.

As top finisher, Cruickshank scored a pair of business-class plane tickets, courtesy of Air Canada, to any of the airline’s worldwide travel destinations. 

Whistler, B.C. chef Jasper Cruikshank, centre, of the Wild Blue Restaurant + Bar won gold while chef Rupert Garcia, left, of The Fairmont Palliser in Calgary took home silver, and Red Deer Resort and Casino’s chef, JP Dublado, right, earned himself bronze at Canada’s Great Kitchen Party’s Canadian Culinary Championship, held at the Shaw Centre on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Colin Morrison (general manager of Embassy Hotel & Suites), and his wife, Elena, with Geneviève Dumas (general manager of the Fairmont Château Laurier), Kelly Haussler (Ottawa Tourism), Catherine Callary (Ottawa Tourism) and Chris Pierce (general manager of Les Suites Hotel Ottawa) at Canada’s Great Kitchen Party’s Canadian Culinary Championship, held at the Shaw Centre on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. Photo by Caroline Phillips
2023 Canadian Culinary Championship (CCC) winner Briana Kim holds the trophy that was to be awarded to this year’s champion at Canada’s Great Kitchen Party’s CCC, held at the Shaw Centre on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Eric Agyemang, f
Canadian singer-songwriter and musician Steven Page was the headlining performer, joined by multi-instrumentalist Kevin Fox, at the national finale of Canada’s Great Kitchen Party’s Canadian Culinary Championship held at the Shaw Centre on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Brian Johnson, vice president at Cleland Jardine Engineering, and Tim Campanale, contracts manager at Campanale Homes, at the national finale of Canada’s Great Kitchen Party’s Canadian Culinary Championship held at the Shaw Centre on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. Photo by Caroline Phillips
More than 50 students of Algonquin College volunteered at the national finale of Canada’s Great Kitchen Party’s Canadian Culinary Championship held at the Shaw Centre on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Nathalie Feldberg with David Feldberg, managing director at DFSIN (Desjardins Financial Security Independent Network), Tim Hortons franchisee Anil Mital and his wife, Monica, at the Shaw Centre on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024 for the national finale of Canada’s Great Kitchen Party’s Canadian Culinary Championship. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Well-known Ottawa restaurateurs Stephen Beckta (owner of Beckta dining and wine and its sister restaurants, Play and Gezellig) and Joe Thottungal (owner and executive chef of Coconut Lagoon and Thali) attended the national finale of Canada’s Great Kitchen Party’s Canadian Culinary Championship held at the Shaw Centre on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Lynda Carter, a partner at MNP, makes brief remarks on stage at the Shaw Centre during the grand finale event for Canada’s Great Kitchen Party’s Canadian Culinary Championship, presented by MNP. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Altis Recruitment turned out in full force for the national finale of Canada’s Great Kitchen Party’s Canadian Culinary Championship. From left, Casey Sorrill, Stacey Mallory, Logan Iwanoff, Sidney Crossman, Natasha Cammaert, James McLaughlin (Altis Technology), Kathryn Tremblay (co-founder and CEO of Altis), and Kirsty Howe. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Canadian singer-songwriter and musician Steven Page was the headlining performer, joined by multi-instrumentalist Kevin Fox, at the national finale of Canada’s Great Kitchen Party’s Canadian Culinary Championship held at the Shaw Centre on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Chase Irwin, a partner in the corporate, securities and venture technology and emerging growth companies practice groups at Dentons’ Ottawa office, BLG partner Kirsten Crain and David Little, managing partner of Dentons’ Ottawa office, at the national finale of Canada’s Great Kitchen Party’s Canadian Culinary Championship held at the Shaw Centre on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Seth Richards, president of Westview Projects, and his wife, Nicole Ramien, enjoyed a date night at the national finale of Canada’s Great Kitchen Party’s Canadian Culinary Championship held at the Shaw Centre on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Mitch Miller, director of advancement at ONFE (Ottawa Network for Education), with Jeff Todd, vice president of marketing and communications at WEALTH (WCPD Inc.) and volunteer chapter president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals,  at the national finale of Canada’s Great Kitchen Party’s Canadian Culinary Championship held at the Shaw Centre on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Ottawa chef and former Canadian Culinary Championship winner Yannick La Salle with his fiancée, Sara Romain, at the national finale of Canada’s Great Kitchen Party’s Canadian Culinary Championship held at the Shaw Centre on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Canadian singer-songwriter and musician Steven Page was the headlining performer, joined by multi-instrumentalist Kevin Fox, at the national finale of Canada’s Great Kitchen Party’s Canadian Culinary Championship held at the Shaw Centre on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. Photo by Caroline Phillips
KIN Vineyards owners Shaun McEwan and Lorraine Mastersmith with son Liam Mastersmith, retail sales manager for KIN, at the national finale of Canada’s Great Kitchen Party’s Canadian Culinary Championship held at the Shaw Centre on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Canadian musician Kevin Fox performed at the national finale of Canada’s Great Kitchen Party’s Canadian Culinary Championship held at the Shaw Centre on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. Photo by Caroline Phillips
From left, Nicole Loreto with Lisa Pasin, senior vice president of Canada’s Great Kitchen Party team, at the Shaw Centre of the national finale of its Canadian Culinary Championship. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Crowds react to the live music show at Canada’s Great Kitchen Party’s Canadian Culinary Championship held at the Shaw Centre. Photo by Caroline Phillips
Ottawa businessman Sanjay Shah, CEO of ExecHealth, seen in the crowd during the live musical performance at the national finale of Canada’s Great Kitchen Party’s Canadian Culinary Championship held at the Shaw Centre on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024. Photo by Caroline Phillips
caroline@obj.ca

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