Garland Canada Culinary Competition Returns to the Stage, Adding Extra Spice to RC Show 2022

Blended virtual and in-person competition to showcase Canada’s top emerging culinary talent to lead restaurant industry revival

TORONTO, ON – November 3, 2021 – Celebrating the best and brightest chefs leading Canada’s culinary future, the Garland Canada Culinary Competition is set to return with a live showcase at RC Show 2022. From February 27 – March 1, 2022, Canada’s largest foodservice and hospitality event aims to REVIVE and REIGNITE the industry by way of world-class, solution-based content, global programming, and of course RC Show’s signature events come to life, including the Garland Canada Culinary Competition, which showcases emerging culinary talent and invests in the leaders of tomorrow.

“Each year we see ground-breaking innovation and exciting new trends develop from our emerging chefs, and we couldn’t be more excited to give this year’s contestants the opportunity to showcase their talents in person once more,” says Todd Barclay, President and CEO, Restaurants Canada. “We look forward to welcoming chefs and industry professionals of all kinds back in-person at RC Show 2022, especially as we work towards the revival of the foodservice and hospitality industry, and look forward to what these chefs will bring to the table.”

Committed to reviving the industry and continuing its dedication to providing equal opportunities for all chefs, 50% of the top spots will be held for female chefs, while also prioritizing the showcase of BIPOC culinary talent. Chefs from coast to coast are invited to apply before November 28, 2021, at 11:59 PM EST for the chance to earn a spot in the competition. The Top 12 finalists will be selected by a panel of the top culinary schools across Canada, to compete in a virtual competition from their kitchens for a 45-minute culinary demonstration. Three judges will then select the Top 4 finalists to compete LIVE at the RC Show 2022, on the Culinary Stage on February 28.

“It has been an honour to watch Canada’s top emerging culinary talent recognized and celebrated over the years at the Garland Canada Culinary Competition,” says Mary Chiarot, Vice President and General Manager of Welbilt-Garland Canada. “Together with Restaurants Canada, we have created an event that celebrates chefs of all backgrounds, encourages creativity and innovation, and supports diversity and inclusion, something that continues to be a focus for the industry as we grow together.”

Competing against each other in a timed cooking demo, each of the Top 4 contestants will be required to create a dish using black-box ingredients and a set pantry list of items with the RC Show 2022 theme of “Revival” in mind. Each competitor is challenged to look at the bottom-line impact of their dish—finding the sweet spot between profit, quality and sustainability, three major issues for restaurants working to recover after two years in a pandemic—all while demonstrating their own interpretations of sustainability through their creativity in the kitchen. Over $10,000 in cash and other exciting prizes are available to win, including $5,000 for 1st place.

Applicants must meet the following criteria in order to apply:

• Have a minimum of 3-4 years of experience working in a professional kitchen
• Be living and working in Canada
• Be 19 years of age or older
• Complete application in full, by the deadline, to be considered valid
• Be available to compete for virtually one day between January 17 – 28, 2022
• Be available to travel to Toronto to compete in the live competition finale, should they be selected, which will take place on February 28, 2022
• Be fully vaccinated by February 25, 2022, as per the latest Ontario and Federal guidelines (this means you have received your second dose 14 days prior to February 25, 2022)
• Not be a decorated, recognized, multiple culinary competition winner or TV personality chef
• Not be a previous winner or judge, or associated with a current judge of The Garland Canada Culinary Competition

In addition to competing for the chance to advance to the Top 4, the Top 12 finalists will have a chance to win the ‘Fan Favourite’ prize of $500. The winner of this category will be determined through voting on Restaurants Canada’s Instagram page (@restaurantscanada). Short videos of each of the competitors’ virtual demonstrations will be uploaded to Instagram and the competitor with the most likes at the end of the voting period will be named Fan Favourite! Restaurants Canada and Welbilt-Garland Canada will not be involved in any of the judging for this category.

Restaurants Canada and Garland Canada encourage new talent from all corners of the Great White North to apply. Past finalists include Niagara’s Chef Nick Chindamo and MasterChef Canada runner-up Chef Andy Hay.

This year’s competition is presented by Restaurants Canada and Garland Canada with support from Victorinox Swiss Army, Gordon Food Services, Canada Beef, Dairy Farmers of Ontario, Kitchen Aid, High Liner and Chicken Farmers of Canada. For more information or to apply, visit www.rcshow.com or click HERE.

For inquiries about the competition, please contact garlandcompetition@evntmgmt.com.

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Media Contacts:

Lisa Raffaele  │  647.896.0743  │  lisa@bubblegumcanada.com

Dena Gouweloos  │  647.825.3927  │  dena@bubblegumcanada.com

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About RC Show – since 1944

Canada’s leading foodservice and hospitality event showcasing cutting-edge products, pioneering people and transformative ideas. Attendees can shop, taste, learn, connect and grow their business with multiple days of business-building action, including featured areas, competitions, workshops and RC Hospitality Week events tailored to educate, motivate and lead the industry. RC Show includes the latest trends, a dynamic selection of innovative products, and influential speakers assembled from around the globe, designed to help operators grow their businesses. An annual event not to be missed. Learn more at www.rcshow.com

About Restaurants Canada
Restaurants Canada is a national, not-for-profit association advancing the potential of Canada’s diverse and dynamic foodservice industry through member programs, research, advocacy, resources and events. Before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada’s foodservice sector was a $95 billion industry, directly employing 1.2 million people, providing Canada’s number one source of first jobs and serving 22 million customers across the country every day. The industry has since lost hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions in sales due to the impacts of COVID-19. www.restaurantscanada.org

About Welbilt-Garland Canada

Welbilt Garland Canada represents all Welbilt Inc. brands available within the Canadian region. Welbilt Inc. is dedicated to bringing value to foodservice operators by equipping them with real-world answers and solutions that enhance menus, service, profits and efficiency. Working in conjunction with brands in the Welbilt portfolio, we develop multi-brand solutions in every segment of the foodservice industry. Our brands include Cleveland, Convochill, Convotherm, Crem, Delfield, Frymaster, Garland, Lincoln, Merco, Merrychef, Sunfire and US Range. Welbilt also manages channel relationships with Canada foodservice dealers, distributors, foodservice consultants and other channel partners. Our network of aligned sales representatives provides local and regional support for our Welbilt brands, working with channel partners and foodservice operators to create foodservice solutions. www.garlandcanada.ca