WIN over $10,000 in cash & prizes
Over $10,000 in cash and prizes plus a chance to win an all-expenses paid entry to the Garland Canada International Chef Challenge at the PEI International Shellfish Festival
This Competition is now closed - attend RC Show 2025 to cheer on those competing!
Step into the culinary spotlight at RC Show as Garland Canada and Restaurants Canada renew their commitment to our thriving and passionate culinary community by showcasing top emerging talent at the annual Garland Canada Culinary Competition.
Competitors from across Canada will have their chance to prove their skills and creativity before a panel of esteemed judges, crafting dishes that reflect the 2025 RC Show theme—FUEL—in this high-stakes, high-energy showdown.
Competitors will develop and present an original dish that showcases their culinary style and expertise, and brings their personal culinary story to life on the plate. The dish should be suitable for restaurant service (efficient, streamlined, and cost-effective).
The Garland Canada Culinary Competition’s diversity and inclusion mandate ensures that 50% of competitors are women, with a strong focus on prioritizing diverse talent from equity-deserving groups.
2025 Competition Details
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 | 10:00 AM-5:00 PM | Culinary Stage
Round 1 - Culinary schools and organizations across Canada will review applications and choose the semi-finalists.
Round 2 - Finalists will travel to the RC Show in Toronto to compete in the semi-finals on April 8, 2025. Competitors will be divided into three heats and will participate in a timed cooking demonstration before a panel of three esteemed judges. Winners will be determined by the judges’ scores from each of the three heats.
The winners will be selected and announced on the Culinary Stage live at RC Show on April 8.
COMPETITION PRIZES
- 1st Place - $5,000
- 2nd Place - $3,000
- 3rd Place - $1,500
- Runner-Up - $500
- Fan Favourite - $500
The winner of the Garland Canada Culinary Competition will receive an all-expenses-paid entry to the Garland Canada international Chef Challenge at the Prince Edward Island International Shellfish Festival, with a chance to win $10,000.
*Plus top-tier culinary gear from our sponsors
View competition rules and regulations - Coming Soon
Applicant Criteria
- Have a minimum of 3 years' experience working in a professional kitchen.
- Be currently living and working in Canada.
- Be 19 years of age or older.
- Fully complete and submit application prior to deadline.
- Be available to travel to Toronto to compete in the live semi-final and final rounds, should they be selected, which will take place on April 8, 2025.
- Be willing to work with any ingredients assigned, including meat, dairy and seafood products.
- Not be a previous judge or winner of The Garland Canada Culinary Competition.
Application submissions will be reviewed and judged by a panel of culinary experts from the top culinary schools and organizations in Canada.
If you have any questions or inquiries regarding the competition, please contact us at Competitions@restaurantscanada.org
Vote for Your Fan Favourite
Running parallel to their quest for the finals, the chefs will also compete for the chance to win the ‘Fan Favourite’ prize of $500. The winner of this category will be decided through voting on the Restaurants Canada Instagram page (@restaurantscanada). Short clips from each competitor's application video will be uploaded, and the competitor with the most likes by the end of the voting period will be crowned Fan Favourite!
