On November 16th, I attended the 2012 Gold Medal Plates British Columbia at the Westin Bayshore where 10 Chefs from around British Columbia competed in a Culinary Competition for Gold, Silver and Bronze in one of the most prestigious culinary events in Canada.
This was my third year attending this prestigious event which was well orchestrated in recognizing the chefs as well as the Olympic athletes and musicians who participated.
Chef Filatow wowed the judges with a dish of Bar ‘M’ Ranch Lamb (Charcoal Grilled Loin, Moroccan Braised Belly, ‘Neck’ Merguez, Potato Doughnut), which was paired with Orofino 2010 ‘Scout Vineyard’ Syrah, Similkameen Valley.
Chef Quang Dang of West Restaurant & Bar in Vancouver, rose to the occasion as well, taking the silver medal. Chef Dang created Yarrow Meadows duck with Foxtrot Vineyards apricot preserves, Pinot Noir glaze & Agassiz chestnuts paired with Foxtrot 2009 Pinot Noir.
Taking the bronze medal was Chef Angus An of Maenam in Vancouver. His dish was Dom Gati of Salmon served with hot & sour tamarind and coconut broth, with green mango & lightly smoked Spring Salmon, paired with CedarCreek 2011 Riesling.
The other chefs competing in Vancouver were: from Vancouver, Joe Campo (The Westin Bayshore Vancouver), David Gunawan (Wildebeest), Lee Humphries (C Restaurant), Taryn Wa (Savoury Chef Foods); from Oliver, Jeff Van Geest (Miradoro at Tinhorn Creek Winery); from Penticton, Darin Paterson (Bogner’s of Penticton); and from Tofino, Nicholas Nutting (The Pointe at the Wickaninnish Inn).
Gold Medal Plates is the ultimate celebration of Canadian excellence in food, wine, athletic achievement and entertainment. In addition to the finest food and excellent music, guests had the opportunity to mingle with 25 celebrated Olympians such as Marnie McBean (Rowing), Steve Podborski (Alpine Skiing), Maëlle Ricker (Snowboard), Curtis Myden (Swimming), Erin McLeod and Melissa Tancredi (Soccer) and Olympic Gold, Double Silver and Bronze Medallist Adam van Koeverden (Canoe/Kayak) who emceed the event.
Proceeds from Gold Medal Plates go to the Canadian Olympic Foundation, supporting programs that further Canadian high performance athletes’ pursuit of excellence on the world stage – programs like Own The Podium and the COC’s Athlete Excellence Fund. Since 2004, Gold Medal Plates has generated $6 million for Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
Gold Medal Plates Vancouver also featured a silent auction as well as a live auction, with spectacular getaways with Olympians and Canadian entertainers to destinations such as South Africa, Provence, Chile, Tuscany, and Kelowna for the Canadian Gold Medal Plates finals. Music for the evening was provided by Canadian legend Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo and an all-star cast of Canadian entertainers.
Chef Filatow went head-to-head with nine of British Columbia’s finest culinary masters at the prestigious culinary competition and will go on to compete at the Canadian Culinary Championships, the Gold Medal Plates Finale, in Kelowna on February 8th and 9th, 2013.
By: Richard Wolak