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 2017:
Vancouver Foodster Signature Coffee Drink Challenge
January 12 – February 5, 2017
1st Place:
Cafe Orso
Luca (centre) and the team
Created by: Luca and his team
Orso Macchiato
2nd Place (tie): Vincent Wong of Faebrew
2nd Place (tie): Drew Powell of Platform 7 Coffee
3rd Place (tie): Pui Lee of Aer Cafe
3rd Place (tie): Declan Carroll of Milano Coffee
See all the winning results and the drinks
Vancouver Foodster 6th annual Poutine Challenge
February 7-28, 2017
1st Place: Fanny Bay Oyster Bar & Shellfish Market
Chef Chris Andraza
Smoked Oysters Poutine
Created by: Chef Chris Andraza
2nd Place: Chef Nevada Cope of Ritual
3rd Place: Chef Helena Dakwa of Kofta Meatball Kitchen
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster Grilled Cheese Challenge
February 24 – March 19. 2017
1st Place: Melt City Grilled Cheese
Yasmin Ghaffari
so Gouda
Created by: Chefs : Yasmin Ghaffari and Elizabeth Carr
2nd Place: Paul Bhangoo and Tim Cuff of West Village Cafe
3rd Place: Larry Jordan of Cheeses Crust Food Truck
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster 3rd Pizza Challenge
March 3-26, 2017
1st Place: Pizzeria SpaccaNapoli
Chef Marco Cresciullo
Alla Facciazza Pizza
Created by: Chef Marco Cresciullo
2nd Place (tie): Chef Carmine Paradiso and team
2nd Place (tie): Chef Danilo of Bay Moorings Restaurant
3rd Place: Chef Luca Carbone of Mangia e Scappa Italian Foods
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster Pie Challenge
March 9-April 2, 2017
1st Place: Half Baked Cookie Co.
Chef Cheryl Low
Island Time
Created by: Chef Cheryl Low
2nd Place: the team of Aphrodite’s Organic Pie Shop
3rd Place: the team of East Village Bakery
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster Mac & Cheese Challenge
April 6-30, 2017
1st Place: Mosaic Grille
Executive Chef Jeff Szombaty & Jo Ong Sous Chef and team
The Mac Daddy
Created by: Executive Chef Jeff Szombaty & Jo Ong Sous Chef
2nd Place: Chef DJ of Tour de Feast
3rd Place: Chef Sam Cargnelli and Allie Szakacs of Storm Crow Tavern
Vancouver Foodster Caesar Cocktail Challenge
May 4-28, 2017
1st Place: Ban Chok Dee
Parinya Loptson
BanChokDee TYG Caesar
Created by: Parinya Loptson of Ban Chok Dee
2nd Place: Bryan Statham of House Special
3rd Place (tie): Mark Ryan of Fanny Bay Oyster Bar & Shellfish Market
3rd Place (tie): Simon Hawley of Hendricks Resto-Lounge
See all the winning results and the drinks
Vancouver Foodster 4th Taco Challenge
May 11 – June 4, 2017
1st Place: Little Mexico Cantina
Chef Roberto Lopez Lara and Carol Janeczko
Taco Tikin Xic
Created by: Chef Roberto Lopez Lara
2nd Place: Chef Malek Anouti of Saj & Co.
3rd Place (tie): Nico Riekert & Joe Lauriente of The Pawn Shop YVR
3rd Place (tie): Chef Elena Sanchez of Patron Tacos & Cantina
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster 3rd Chicken Wings Challenge
June 4 – June 29, 2017
1st Place: Sabai Thai Restaurant
Deep fried Tom Yum Wings
Created by: Chef SamleePanpadungkul, Chef Saeng Pongpradith and Jau Sekhon
2nd Place: Chef Sam Cargnelli of Storm Crow Tavern
3rd Place: Chef Bobby Shin of Maru Korean Bistro
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster Eggs Benedict Challenge
June 15 – July 8, 2017
1st Place: Mosaic Grille
Chefs and restaurant team
Down South Canuck
Created by: Chef Jeff Szombaty
2nd Place: Chef of Feast Dining
3rd Place: Chef George Koay of the Breakfast Table
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster 2nd Salad Challenge
July 20 – August 13, 2017
1st Place: Mosaic Grille
Chefs Jo Ong, Jeff Szombaty and team
Ahi Tuna Poke Ball
Created by: Chefs Jo Ong, Jeff Szombaty
2nd Place: Chef Shane Marriott of Hearthstone Brewery Tap & Forno
3rd Place (tie): Chef Ryan Mah of Pacific Poke
3rd Place (tie): Chefs Reno and Jak of The Poke Guy
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster 3rd Sundae Challenge
August 3-27, 2017
1st Place (tie): I.ce Queen
Karen Li (left)
Puddilicous
Created by: Karen Li
1st Place (tie): Dolce Amore
Daniela Grippo
Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli Sundae
Created by: Gelatieri Daniela Grippo and Giancarlo Cusano
2nd Place: Ian Bruce and Head of R&D Andy of Umaluma
3rd Place (tie): Dan Garcia of Hugo’s Churros
3rd Place (tie): Chef Genevieve Plishka of Beyond Coffee
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster Margarita Challenge
August 24 – September 17, 2017
1st Place: Patron Tacos & Cantina
Israel Llamas
Coconut Spice Margarita
Created by: Head Bartenders Israel Llamas & Carlos Bermudez
2nd Place: Executive Chef Parinya Loptson of Ban Chok Dee
3rd Place: Cole Hayton of Storm Crow Tavern
See all the winning results and the drinks
Vancouver Foodster Sandwich Challenge
September 7-30, 2017
1st Place: Delizie
Chef Rosangela Atte
Vesuvio
Created by: Chef Rosangela Atte
2nd Place: Chef Rico Verzosa of Smokehouse Sandwich Co.
3rd Place: Scott Robertson of Rosemary Rocksalt
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster 2nd Pasta Challenge
October 5-29, 2017
1st Place: Novo Pizzeria & Wine Bar
Chef Carmine Paridiso
Crab Ravioli
Created by: Carmine Paradiso
2nd Place: Chefs team of Mosaic Grille
3rd Place: Chef Haymo Elzenbaumer of Apero Kitchen and Wine Bar
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster 4th Annual Burger Challenge
October 19 – November 12, 2017
1st Place: Fresh Window by Drew’s Catering
Chef Sekihata Katsuyuki
Burger Noir
Created by: Chef Sekihata Katsuyuki
2nd Place: Chef Joseph and Chef Billy of Falconetti’s
3rd Place (tie): Chef Caitlin Mark of H2 Rotisserie Bar
3rd Place (tie): Chef Tyler Dallner of The Ellis
See all the winning results and the dishes
Vancouver Foodster Cake Challenge
November 9 – December 3, 2017
1st Place: Fratelli Bakery
Chef Tamara Fraser
Rocky Road Cake
Created by: Chef Tamara Fraser
2nd Place: Chef Raveena Oberoi of Just Cakes Bakery
3rd Place: Chef Sam Pero of Italia Bakery
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