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 2016:
Vancouver Foodster Grilled Cheese Challenge
January 8-31. 2016
1st Place:
Mom’s Grilled Cheese Truck
Created by: Cindy Hamilton
‘The Hot Mama’
2nd Place: Chefs Yasmin Ghaffari and Elizabeth Carr of Melt City Grilled Cheese
3rd Place: Chef Malek Anouti of Saj & Co.
3rd Place: Chef Erik Smith of S’Wich Cafe
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster 5th annual Poutine Challenge
February 4-28, 2016
1st Place: Q Shi Q Japanese BBQ
Created by: Collaborative effort by Owner Duane McGaw, Chef Hiro Amano & Sous Chef Alvin Su
Kushi Q-Tine
2nd Place: Chef Kai Sengewitz of La Brasserie
3rd Place: Chef Tai Keattivanichvily of Thai Confusion
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster Rice Bowl Challenge
March 3-27, 2016
1st Place (tie): Ban Chok Dee
Created by: Executive Chef Parinya Lopston
Siam in the City Rice Bowl
1st Place (tie): Oka-San Kitchen
Momma’s style Poke Rice Bowl
1st Place (tie): Saj & Co.
Created by: Chef Malek Anouti
SHAMS Rice Bowl
2nd Place: Chef John Chau of American Grille
3rd Place: Chef Ui Ratsomjit of U & I Thai
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster Meatballs Challenge
April 6-30, 2016
1st Place: Novo Pizzeria & Wine Bar
Created by: Novo kitchen team
Sicilian Meatballs
2nd Place: Chef Jaroslaw Faryna of The Copper Chimney
3rd Place: Chef Canale from Mario’s Meatballs and Chef Zack Steele from Baccano
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster Cheesecake Challenge
April 14 – May 8, 2016
1st Place: American Grille
Created by: Chef Danilo Ibara
Xango Cheese Cake
2nd Place: Chef Sam Pero of Italia Bakery
3rd Place: Chef Emiddio Isernia of Small Victory Bread & Coffee
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster 3rd Taco Challenge
May 12 – June 5, 2016
1st Place: Little Mexico Cantina
Created by: Chef Roberto Lopez Lara
Taco Canauhtl
2nd Place: Chef Moises Toyber of Las Tortas
3rd Place: Chef Gilles_L´Heureux of Los Cuervos Taqueria
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster Smoothie Challenge
June 7-29, 2016
1st Place: Che-Licious Desserts & Snacks
Created by: Linh Vo
Crouching Coco Hidden Dragon
2nd Place: Chef Karen McAthy of Zend Conscious Lounge
3rd Place: Alex of Eternal Abundance
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster Chicken Wings Challenge
June 9 – July 3, 2016
1st Place: Westward Ho
2nd Place: Chef Adam Coppell of West Oak Restaurant
3rd Place (tie): Chef Jeramie Adams of Bogart’s Bar
3rd Place (tie): Chef Manos of Nammos Estiatorio
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster Salad Challenge
July 8-31, 2016
1st Place (tie): House Special
Created by: Chef Yen Do
Đà Nẵng Summer Salad
1st Place (tie): Ban Chok Dee
Created by: Chef Parinya Lopston
Yum Som-O (Pomelo Salad)
2nd Place: Chef Malek Anouti of Saj & Co.
3rd Place: Chef Ui Ratsomjit of U & I Thai
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster Sundae Challenge
August 4-28, 2016
1st Place: EBO Restaurant
Created by: Executive Chef Keith Pears / Pastry Chef Candice Low
Sundae Surprise
2nd Place: Kathy Tung of Tmix Tea & Dessert
3rd Place: Michael Lai and Tommy Choi of Mister
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster 2nd Sangria Challenge
September 1-25, 2016
1st Place: Ban Chok Dee
Created by: Executive Chef Parinya Loptson and Bartender Chika Ikeda
Butterfly Effect
2nd Place: Mixologist – Bryan Statham of House Special
3rd Place: Jon Dewsbury of The Westin Bayshore
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster Spaghetti Challenge
October 5-30, 2016
1st Place: Apero Kitchen and Wine Bar
Created by: Chef Haymo Elzenbaumer
Spaghetti Rucola
2nd Place: Chef Carmine Paradiso of Novo Pizzeria & Wine Bar
3rd Place: Chefs Ladda Kayankarn, Thares Chanto and Parinya Loptson of Ban Chok Dee
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster 3rd Annual Burger Challenge
October 14 – November 6, 2016
1st Place: Storm Crow Alehouse
Created by: Kyle Depape – Assistant Kitchen Manager
The Stormbringer
2nd Place: Chef KC of La Brasserie
3rd Place: Chef Chris Papp and Chef Ty Stinson of Hopcott Meats
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster 2nd Curry Challenge
November 3-27, 2016
1st Place: Chutney Villa
Created by: Muralee M
Tamil Nadu Village Fish Curry
2nd Place: Chef Kalai Selvaraj of the Dosa Hut
3rd Place: Chef Scott Kwan of Kaya Malay Bistro
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster Tiramisu Challenge
November 17 – December 11, 2016
1st Place:Novo Pizzeria & Wine Bar
Created by: Carmine Paradiso
Espresso Tiramisu with Amarena Cherries
2nd Place: Chef Sam Pero of Italia Bakery
3rd Place: Chefs Mallorie Cook ,and Tristin Domonic Leroux of Pizza Carano
See all the winning results and the dishes
Thank you to everyone who tried the various dishes, desserts and drinks in the above mentioned challenges.
By: Richard Wolak