Vancouver Cheesecake Challenge Winners 2023

The Vancouver Cheesecake Challenge was a success featuring unique cheesecake creations at restaurants, cafes and bakeries around greater Vancouver. Each establishment featured their creation on their menu from September 8-30, 2023 and their customers voted for their favourites daily throughout the challenge. 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.

The Winners are:

1st Place:

{105 points}

South Granville Bakery

Lemon Meringue Pie Cheesecake

Price: $8.75

Created by: Chef Yossi

Description: Served in a mason jar, this liquid gold, delectable and gluten free. A work-of-art dessert, is as visually appealing as it is mouthwatering – and seeing is the first step in believing. Let me introduce you to each delicious layer before you dive in! Gluten free crumble, Lemon cream cheese, lemon curd, Swiss meringue (torched for that molten gold filigree crowning effect). Light and airy and with each layer contributing to the taste sensation of refreshing lemon, it’s the perfect “anytime” treat. The only thing not made in-house is the mason jar. The only thing missing is your spoon. To be shared, or just savored on your own (no judgment).

Available: for dine-in and takeout also by pre-order (order at least 2 days in advance by calling the cafe or dm on instagram) to ensure you are able to try it.

South Granville Bakery (inside Bean Around the World)

2977 Granville Street, Vancouver

Tel: (604) 732-8273

Web: https://batwcoffee.com/pages/bean-around-the-world-granville

Instagram @southgranvillebakery

2nd Place:

{103 points}

Mann & Co Bake Shop

Black Sesame Ube Basque Cheesecake

Price: $7.50

Created by: Team Mann & Co

Description – Ube halaya cream cheese black sesame and topped with ube chantilly and ube powder. Note: the dried flowers are used for food styling purposes only.

Available: for pre-order, takeout and delivery by Uber eats, and Skip the dishes.

Mann & Co Bake Shop

13411 71a Ave, Surrey

Tel:(604) 503-1353

Web:https://mannandcobakeshop.com/

Instagram @mannandcobakeshop

3rd Place:

{95 points}

The Garden Cafe at VanDusen Botanical Gardens

Benny’s Strawberry Cheesecake

Price: $6.50

Created by: Pastry Chef Benny Daniel

Description: With fresh local strawberry, graham crumb, chocolate pearls, and whipped cream

The Garden Cafe at VanDusen Botanical Gardens

5151 Oak Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-505- 4961

Web: https://www.trufflesfinefoods.com/cafe/

Instagram: @trufflesfoods

In the People’s Choice Awards category, the public who tried the Cheesecake creations were the ones who had the opportunity to cast their vote throughout the challenge.

The Winners are:

1st Place People’s Choice:

Castella Cheesecake

Castella Cheese Tart

Price: 1 for $4.95, 3 for $13, 6 for $24

Created by: Billy Fang (Founder & Creator)

Description: Castella Cheesecake’s magic lies in a simple truth: cakes taste most divine when crafted with the same care as homemade treats. That’s why our expert pastry masters pour their hearts into handcrafting each cheesecake, ensuring a personal touch that machines can’t replicate. Enjoy every bite of genuine, artisanal delight.

Castella Cheesecake

1190 Robson Street, Vancouver

1139c-4700 Kingsway (inside Metrotown), Burnaby

6551 No. 3 Rd #1810 (inside Richmond Centre), Richmond

7899 Templeton Station Rd (inside Mcarthur Glen Outlet Mall), Richmond

Web: https://castellacheesecake.com/

Instagram @castellacheesecake

2nd Place People’s Choice: