Part of the 2018 National Grand Chapitre programme hosted by the Bailliage of Alberta North, the National Final of the Jeunes Chefs Rôtisseurs Competition was held at NAIT (North Alberta Institute of Technology) on Friday, October 19th.

The awards evening the following evening saw the seven young chefs led into the Ballroom at the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald by Chef Jan Hansen, Bailli of Calgary who was a judge at competition.

Seated in the front row, the competitors anxiously awaited the results of the competition.

In his speech Conseiller Culinaire (now Honoraire) Chef Takashi Murakami formally recognized the competition sponsors: Wüsthof; CattleBoyz; Medium Rare Chef Apparel; Uniglobe Lexus Travel; Acadian Sturgeon and Caviar Inc.; and Chef’s Hat Inc.

He then explained the scoring overall as well as for the award for highest kitchen score instituted several years ago. In Canada, the winner of this segment is recognized with the Chef Paul Mastalir Award for Kitchen Excellence. Each of the competitors was then presented with a medal, certificate and a Wüsthof knife in recognition of their participation.

After thanking NAIT for their amazing kitchen facilities, the Edmonton team for the organization, and recognizing the judges, Chef Murakami announced the results as follows:

- Winner: Darnell Banman, from the St. Charles Golf Country Club, Winnipeg
- Runner-up: Kathryn Ferries from Stofa Restaurant, Ottawa
- Third Place: Jeremy Beeton from Eliot & Vine, Halifax

Darnell received the Gold Medal and the Fulgence Charpentier trophy. As winner he automatically earned the right to represent Canada at the 2019 International Final in Calgary. Darnell was also recognized for having the highest kitchen score and thus received the aforementioned Chef Paul Mastalir Award for Kitchen Excellence along with a Wüsthof knife set.

Eric Jones
Chargé de Presse