Local chefs heat up culinary competition
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Digital Subscription
One year of digital access for only $205*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/09/2025 (346 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Seven local chefs have thrown their hats in the ring for a chance to represent Winnipeg at the 2026 Canadian Culinary Championship in Ottawa January next year.
Also known as Canada’s Great Kitchen Party, the regional qualifier takes place on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at the RBC Convention Centre, and features entertainment from Spirit of the West’s Geoff Kelly, as well as Canadian musicians Barney Bentall, Kevin Fox, Matthew Harder and Rebecca Harder.
Chefs Emily Butcher (Bar Accanto), Darnell Banman (Thermea Spa Village), Michael de Groot (Gather Craft Kitchen & Bar), Ken Hoang (Le Colonial Restaurant and Bar), Norman Pastorin, (Basta! Filipino Kitchen), Chinnie Ramos (Wow! Catering) and Lauren Wiebe-Dembowski (Niakwa Country Club) will be judged on skill, creativity and technique as they vie to impress the panel of local culinary experts, led by head national judge Chris Johns, 2025 regional winner Austin Granados (formerly of Cake-ology) and Winnipeg senior judge Mike Green.
RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES
Chef Norm Pastorin of Basta! Filipino Kitchen is competing at Canada’s Great Kitchen Party.
“We’re honoured to have such a strong field of chefs representing Winnipeg this year,” said Green.
“There’s several past regional champions returning, along with some up-and-coming chefs that should be on every local’s radar who have impressive CVs. You’ll also note there’s a broad range of culinary styles too, reflecting our diverse culinary scene. I’m really looking forward to what’s in store on Oct. 1 as we return to the RBC Convention Centre.”
The event, which is also a fundraiser for MusiCounts, Spirit North and Child Nutrition Council of Manitoba, includes the opportunity to sample all the competing chefs’ dishes, along with Canadian wines, local craft beer, spirits and mocktails. The VIP reception begins at 5:30 p.m., with the competition at 6 p.m. and the celebration — including passed dessert, entertainment, auction and awards — running from 7:40 to 9 p.m.
Individual tickets are $315 at greatkichenparty.com.
— Staff
