Get tickets and bring your appetite for the Canadian Culinary Championship Jan 31-Feb 1.
By Kim Renault
Photos by Jordan Chan
It’s a taste treat you don’t want to miss. Following regional competitions nationwide, the country’s top culinary stars are donning their aprons in Canada’s capital Jan 31 and Feb 1 for the 2025 Canadian Culinary Championship (CCC). Snag your tickets ASAP, via trellis.org/ccc-2025, because this is the foodie event of the season.
The CCC consists of three events: Mystery Wine Competition, Black Box Competition and the Grand Finale Competition. Reigning Canadian culinary champ Jasper Cruickshank from Whistler, BC will be featured during the Grand Finale, presenting a dish for the VIP guests. And competing chefs from this region include Lizardo Becerra from Raphaël Peruvian Cuisine in Ottawa and Ryan Lister from The Dorset in Toronto.
For the Mystery Wine Pairing Friday, Jan 31, chefs will be tasked with creating a dish using local ingredients that best complement the mysterious vintage. They have a limited time window and are given a minimal set budget. As a guest, you have the pleasure of sampling these creations. The event is a stand-up cocktail reception featuring wines, local craft beer, cocktails and artisanal foods.
The second competition is the Black Box held at La Cité collégiale culinary school Saturday morning, Feb 1. Chefs are given a black box containing diverse foods and must produce and plate two dishes for the national judges. Guests won’t get much closer to watching an Iron Chef-style competition than this. There will also be a mini-market featuring local products for patrons to enjoy.
The Grand Finale is Saturday evening, Feb 1, at Rogers Centre Ottawa. Some 550 guests will have the opportunity to sample the best dishes these chefs can offer. If you’re one of them, you’ll also have the chance to mingle with celebrity guests and enjoy live music by Johnny Reid and keyboardist Michael Shand. The evening will be capped with the crowning of the 2025 Canadian Culinary Champion.
A portion of CCC proceeds will support MusiCounts, Spirit North, Ottawa Network for Education (ONFE) and BGC Ottawa (formerly Boys and Girls Club).
For details, see greatkitchenparty.com.
