The lineup of competing chefs at the Ottawa-Gatineau Gold Medal Plates, held at the Ottawa Convention Centre on November 17th, has just been revealed.
Gold Medal Plates is a culinary competition, a musical extravaganza and big time fundraiser in support of Canada’s Olympic Athletes. It takes place in 11 cities across Canada, from Victoria to St John’s, the most exciting of which will take place in the Nation’s Capital in seven short months.
We are back to ten chefs, from the past few years of having only eight, about which I am delighted. And the event has moved homes. This year’s GMP will be at the Ottawa Convention Centre, which allows for more space for ten contenders to stretch out, sharpen up and cook up a storm.
And so here we go: This year we welcome Katie Brown Ardington, of Beckta Dining and Wine; Walid El-Tawel, of Restaurant E18hteen; Ryan Edwards from Taylor’s Genuine Food & Wine Bar; Patrick Garland of Absinthe Cafe; Pierre Lortie of Restaurant Le Baccara; John Morris from the National Arts Centre; Kyle Mortimer-Proulx of ZenKitchen; Michael Radford of The Whalesbone Oyster House; Kyrn Stein of Social; and Steve Wall of Supply and Demand.
Of the ten, three have competed at GMPs past (Brown Ardington – who won bronze last year – Garland and Wall). One came within a whisker of competing (Radford) but had to drop out tragically, when his then restaurant (Savana Cafe) closed. Four are new to GMP competition (El-Tawel, Lortie, Morris, Stein) though their restaurants are not. And one chef (Ryan Edwards) and his restaurant Taylor’s Genuine Food & Wine are both new, though Taylor’s big brother, John Taylor at Domus Café is no stranger to this competition.
So there you have it. I’m pleased with the list. I think it’s a very strong lineup, and I expect it will be a delicious and very merry night.
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