Show Features
Chef Competitions
Presented in partnership with the BC Chefs Association and the Canadian Culinary Federation.
BC Chef of the Year Roasted Competition
The Roasted Competition is BC’s professional chef challenge. Up-and-coming chefs from across the province compete to be crowned BC Chef of the Year and represent BC at the Canadian Culinary Federation national competition in Halifax in June. The competition is a knock-out black box format. Each heat of competitors creates appetizers but only the top contestants continue to main course and finally to desserts. New this year: two finalists will proceed to Toronto to be part of the Discovered Culinary Competition at the CRFA Show in March. To apply to compete, click here (PDF).
BC Chinese Chef of the Year Competition NEW!
Designed to provide Chinese chefs and restaurateurs with a platform to demonstrate excellence, the BC Chinese Chef of the Year competition aims to expose the extraordinary level of Chinese culinary expertise that is offered across BC. Condé Nast Traveler recently recognized Vancouver's Chinese culinary prowess - this is our opportunity to celebrate and showcase our local talent. Twelve chefs will compete live on the Discover stage judged by a panel of professional chefs. For more information, click here (PDF). To apply to compete, click here (PDF).
Hot Competition Live! The Junior Chef Challenge
High school and post-secondary students, apprentices and teams are assigned a protein and, in heats of six, put their best foot forward for our panel of judges. This is an outstanding professional development opportunity for young chefs and a great team building experience for restaurateurs. Come out and support the new generation of chefs! For more information, click here (PDF). To apply to compete as an individual, click here (PDF). To apply to compete as a team, click here (PDF).
2nd Annual Trends Breakfast: When World Flavours Collide
Internationally renowned restaurant consultant Michael Whiteman presents his trends for food and dining in 2012. The culinary scene is undergoing massive change as international flavours intersect with conventional ones. Discover the spectrum of flavours that you can offer your customers and identify buzz words that may change your business future. This is a networking and business strategy breakfast. Tickets are $69. CRFA members pay only $49. Tickets include show admission.
ABOUT OUR SPEAKER
Michael J. Whiteman is president of the renowned Baum+Whiteman International Restaurant Consultants-- considered the industry’s most prestigious creative team. Spanning four decades, his company created and operated two of world’s largest-grossing restaurants -- Rainbow Room atop Rockefeller Center and the legendary Windows on the World; developed three of the world’s first food courts – in Japan, Europe and the United States; produced five three-star New York restaurants; and masterminded high-profile hotel concepts around the globe.
His range of work spans retail food (Dean & Deluca), cultural institutions (National Gallery of Art), private clubs (Yale and Princeton Clubs), theme parks (Six Flags), and mixed-use developments (Embarcadero Center, San Francisco) as well as individual restaurants world-wide. In 2011, Mr. Whiteman’s work took him to Mumbai, Singapore, Qatar, Delhi, Abu Dhabi, and around the United States.
Currently his company is creating food and beverage concepts for a two-hotel convention complex in Mumbai with 15 places to eat and drink; developing five F&B venues for a hotel in Punjab, and working in a New York botanical garden and one of its great parks. Last year his firm re-imagined the lobbies of all the Holiday Inns in North America.
A sought after speaker, Mr. Whiteman gave the keynote presentation at the Culinary Institute of America’s Worlds of Flavor conference in Napa last November.
SPEAKER TESTIMONIALS
“I was very impressed with the Keynote speech Mr. Whiteman gave to open the Culinary Institute of Americas World of Flavor Conference 2011- The Future of American Menus. His obvious expertise in the subject matter came shining through in his entertaining and thought provoking opening address.”
Chef James Kennedy
Certified Chef de Cuisine
“Michael Whiteman is a luminary. His knowledge, foresight and intuition are spellbinding. He’s a wealth of information; and he’s not afraid to tell you what he thinks… By all accounts that’s a pretty great combination… “Been there, done that” could be better applied to no one. With his fingertip on the pulse of the hospitality industry, he is captivating to say the least, and for me, his keynote speech was one giant A-HA moment.”
Chef Danny Markowicz
Executive Development Chef, WhiteSpot
Other Show Features
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Chef Host: David Adjey
Food Network superstar Chef David Adjey will be in attendance both days as host and roving food ambassador. Best known for his TV shows The Opener, David Adjey’s Restaurant 101 and Restaurant Makeover, Adjey is no stranger to cooking competitions, having fought to a tie with Michael Symon on Iron Chef America. As roving food host, Chef Adjey will be talking with visitors and exhibitors, encouraging our chef competitors and providing colour commentary.
i.Menu Expo – New!
Restaurant owners and operators looking for new technology solutions to manage both front and back of the house operations will find them at the i.Menu Expo. Hosted in partnership with i.Business Magazine, the i.Menu Expo will showcase developers of iPad and Android tablet apps and interactive touchscreen tabletops. Accessory manufacturers and hardware vendors will demonstrate the latest menu and back-end office solutions, including cost-effective ways to improve productivity and bottom lines.
Asian Flavours Pavilion – New!
Asian flavours are taking the world by storm. From street vendors to traditional fine dining, Asian and South Asian inspirations are leading the trends for new ingredients - not to mention spicing up our appetites. Discover a host of new Asian suppliers, ingredients, products and options under one roof. Try flavours that you can add to your menu and improve your bottom line!
Local Artisan Food Pavilion
BC is well known for our network of small local food producers and incredible farm-to-plate offerings. Come sample some of BC’s niche products and find inspiration for that unique local menu item for spring! Co-presented by Farm Folk/City Folk.
Centre for Sustainability
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Created and hosted by Green Table Network, the Centre for Sustainability is a unique curated marketplace for sustainable equipment, products and leading-edge solutions for energy, water and cost savings. This walk-through experience showcases opportunities to add sustainability across every aspect of foodservice with displays for the energy smart kitchen, clean and green, zero waste zone, green back office and sustainable front-of-house.
Wineries & Microbreweries Pavilion
British Columbia has a bounty of outstanding small wineries and microbreweries. Discover a range of local products for sampling and orders. Interested in pairing with Asian foods? Stop by our new Asian pairing station. Co-presented by Wineries Refined.
Mocktails: What the Hip Stir – New!
Responding to the need for value-added beverages with little or no alcohol, our newest showcase provides attendees with a whole range of flavours to tempt the senses. Sample new ingredients and witness new beverages being created before your eyes by our cocktail experts. This is the place to come and enhance your bar list with low alcohol and no alcohol cocktail solutions.
Coffee Roasters
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BCs boutique coffee roasters offer a range of blends and roasts to suit every palate. Mild, full-bodied, double roasted, fair trade, caffeinated, de-caffeinated, single estate, beans or grounds. Come try a little of each roasters’ offering and discover your next house blend.