The Vancouver Foodster Creme Brulee Challenge was a huge success featuring 9 creme brulee creations from restaurants around Vancouver and Richmond. Each restaurant featured their creme brulee from April 11-30, 2014. Our media judging panel determined the ultimate winners of the challenge, and this was quite the task as each judge who tasted each creation with a rigorous process based on taste, originality/uniqueness and presentation/appearance.
Our Media judges for this challenge were: Stephanie Yuen, Karl Klip, Joyce Lam and Jeremy Inglett
The Winners are:
1st Place: Toasted Hazelnut Creme Brûlée
Novo Pizzeria
Description: Frangelico Ganache, rosemary & pine nut cookies, orange granita
Created by: Carmine Paradiso and Charles Richard
Novo Pizzeria
2118 Burrard Street, Vancouver
Tel: (604) 736-2220
Web: http://www.novopizzeria.com/
Twitter: @NOVOPizzeria
Carmine Paradiso – (owner)
2nd Place: Banana Choconutty Crème Brulee
Cafe One
Created by: Pastry Chef Gabriela Gandolfo
Cafe One (inside Sheraton Wall Centre Vancouver Hotel)
1088 Burrard Street, Vancouver
Tel: 604 893 7205
Web: www.sheratonvancouver.com
Twitter: @WallCentreHotel
Pastry Chef Gabriela Gandolfo (left) & the Executive Chef Starri Chow(right)
3rd Place: Bread and Butter Crème Brulee
The Apron
Description: The elegance of a classic vanilla bean Crème Brule mixed with the comfort of bread pudding, served with biscotti
Created by: Chefs Robert Uy, Michael Stavely and team
The Apron (inside Westin Wall Centre Hotel)
3099 Corvette Way, Richmond
Tel: 604-303-6565
Web: http://www.westinvancouverairport.com/dining
Twitter: @apronyvr
Allister Cave ( F & B Manager) & Chef Robert Uy
In the People’s Choice Awards category, the public who tried the Creme Brulee dishes were the ones who had the opportunity to cast their vote throughout the challenge.
The Winners are:
1st Place People’s Choice:
Salted Caramel Apple Creme Brulee
Kingston Taphouse and Grille
Created by: Chef Simon McLeod
Description: Caramelized granny smith apples with a salted caramel custard. Finished with a touch of citrus salt.
Kingston Taphouse and Grille
755 Richards Street, Vancouver
Tel: 604-681-7011
Web: http://kingstontaphouse.com/
Twitter: @TheKingstonPub
2nd Place People’s Choice:
Banana Choconutty Crème Brulee
Cafe One
Created by: Pastry Chef Gabriela Gandolfo
Cafe One (inside Sheraton Wall Centre Vancouver Hotel)
1088 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC
Tel: 604 893 7205
Web: www.sheratonvancouver.com
Twitter: @WallCentreHotel
3rd Place People’s Choice:
Salted Honey Creme Brûlée
The Bakeshop
Created by: Meg Reed
Description: Flaky pastry filled with creamy earl grey creme, finished with a crispy layer of bruleed honey and rock salt.
The Bakeshop
4021 MacDonald Street, Vancouver
Tel: 604-762-2471
Web: http://www.vancouverbakeshop.com/
Twitter: @VanBakeshop
Thank you to all the chefs, restaurants and bakeries that accepted my invitation and featured their creme brulee on the menu for the past few weeks during this challenge.
I encourage you to visit the winning restaurants and bakery to try their creme brulee! See all the 9 Creme Brulee entries here.
By: Richard Wolak