The mission of our Food and Drink challenges is to get chefs to create amazing dishes while using innovative ingredients to create unique flavours and outstanding creations. We congratulate the winning chefs, bartenders and their staff for creating what they believe are the best dishes, cocktails and desserts. It’s up to the media judges who’s task is to taste all the different creations in each of the respective challenges and vote for their favourites.
Here are the Top 3 winners in all the challenges in 2015:
Vancouver Foodster Chili Challenge
January 8-31, 2015
1st Place:
The Meatery
Created by: Grant Mckay
The Meatery’s Oaxacan Chilli
2nd Place: Chef Nourdine Majdoubi of Morocco West
3rd Place: Chefs George Moutsos and Aaron Smith – Truffle Fine Foods Cafe
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster 4th annual Poutine Challenge
February 5-28, 2015
1st Place:
Nomad Vancouver
Created by: Chef Ryan Reed
Crispy Duck Poutine
2nd Place: Chef Tai Luong Nguyen – Linh Cafe
3rd Place: Executive Chef Parinya and Chef Ladda – Ban Chok Dee
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster 2nd Pizza Challenge
March 5-28, 2015
1st Place:
Alberello Pizzeria
Created by: Azin Etesami (Owner/pizza lover) and Cristina Marianetti (Chef)
Verde Noce
2nd Place: Chef Trevor Hagenbuch – Pizza Carano
3rd Place: Executive Chef Will Lucas – Cotto Enoteca Pizzeria
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster Caesar Cocktail Challenge
March 12-April 5, 2015
1st Place:
Stateside Craft
Created by: General Manager Benn McGuire & Bar Manager Colin Bussiere
B&C Craft Caesar
2nd Place: Cam Bogue, Beverage Director – Earl’s Restaurant
3rd Place: Chef A-guan Phutyeam and Mr. Kittipoj Chidjarean – U & I Thai
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster Meatball Challenge
April 1-26, 2015
1st Place:
Cioffi’s Cucina
Created by: Chef Jason Symington & Chef Josh McWilliams
The Angelo
2nd Place: Chef Francis Vicente – Meinhardt
3rd Place (tie): Chef Nourdine Majdoubi – Argan Bistro
3rd Place (tie): Executive Chef Jaroslaw Faryna – The Copper Chimney
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster Pasta Challenge
April 22 – May 17, 2015
1st Place:
Ban Chok Dee
Created by: Executive Chef Parinya Lopston
Chiang Mai Noodles
2nd Place: Chef Piyush Sahay – Mercante
3rd Place: Carmine Paradiso and Charles Richard – Novo Pizzeria & Wine Bar
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster 2nd Taco Challenge
May 21 – June 14, 2015
1st Place:
Little Mexico Cantina
Created by: Chef Roberto Lopez Lara
Tacos Cantineros
2nd Place: Berenice Balbuena & Rafael Flores – Molli Café
3rd Place: Executive Chef Parinya Lopston – Ban Chok Dee
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster Calamari Challenge
June 11 – July 5, 2015
1st Place:
Argan Bistro
Created by: Chef Jeff Miller
West Coast Blackened Squid Trio
2nd Place: Executive Chef Elliott Hashimoto – C Prime Modern Italian Steakhouse & Wine Bar
3rd Place: Chef Danilo Ibara – American Grille
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster Sangria Challenge
July 9-30, 2015
1st Place (tie): The Apron
Created by: Allister Cave
Solstice Sangria
and
1st Place (tie): Pinnacle Pier Hotel
Created by: Amanda Marr from the Sales team
Sapporous Sangria
2nd Place: Head Bartender Chris Brown – C Prime Modern Italian Steakhouse & Wine Bar
3rd Place: Executive Chef Parinya – Ban Chok Dee
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster Sundae Challenge
August 5-29, 2015
1st Place:
Beyond Coffee
Created by: Pastry Chef Andrea Fletcher
Red Velvet Volcano Sundae
2nd Place: Gelaterie Maestro James Coleridge – Bella Gelateria
3rd Place (tie): Dorothy Tam – Styo Dessert
3rd Place (tie): Gelaterie Maestro James Coleridge – Bella Gelateria Yaletown
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster Ceviche Challenge
August 20 – September 13, 2015
1st Place:
Little Mexico Cantina
Created by: Chef Roberto Lopez Lara
Ceviche & Aguachile Estilo Sinaloa duo
2nd Place: Chef Brent Fisher – The Boathouse Restaurant
3rd Place: Chef Danilo Ibara – American Grille
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster Stacked Sandwich Challenge
September 10-30, 2015
1st Place (tie):
Saj & Co.
Created by: Malek Anouti
AL Haikal
and
1st Place (tie): Solly’s Bagelry
Created by: Leah Markovitch
Pumped-Up Latkeh Eggel
2nd Place: Rose Concepcion & Thuy Kelp – Doughgirls Bakeshop
3rd Place: Executive Chef Jaroslaw Faryna – The Copper Chimney
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster Craft Beer Cocktail Challenge
October 1-25, 2015
1st Place:
American Grille
Created by: Donovan Bramley
Schadenfreudenater
2nd Place: Joel Dauncey – Bitter Tasting Room
3rd Place: James Olivier – Darby’s Public House
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster Best Burger Challenge
October 22 – November 15, 2015
1st Place
Ban Chok Dee
Created by: Executive Chef Parinya Lopston
Siam Sliders
2nd Place: Chef Matt Thompson – The Cannibal Café
3rd Place: Chef Patrick Miller – Appleback Grill
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster Fried Chicken Challenge
November 5-29, 2015
1st Place
Chewie’s Steam and Oyster Bar
Created by: Chef Tyrel Branvold
Chewies Southern Fried Chicken
2nd Place: Executive Chef Parinya Lopston – Ban Chok Dee
3rd Place: Chef Scott Lesko – The Pressure Box Food Truck
See all the winning results and the dishes
Thank you to everyone who tried the various dishes and drinks in the above mentioned challenges.
By: Richard Wolak