Media Advisory - Canadian Culinary Championships - weekend line up of competitions in Toronto

    TORONTO, Feb. 6 /CNW/ - Seven of Canada's best chefs will meet in Toronto
February 7, 8 and 9 to compete for the Canadian Culinary Championships' title
of Canada's Best Chef. This event supports the Canadian Olympic Foundation to
benefit the Own the Podium 2010 and Road to Excellence sport initiatives.

    Who:   Melissa Craig of Bearfoot Bistro in Whistler (Vancouver)
           Paul Rogalski of Rouge (Calgary)
           Judy Wu of Wild Tangerine (Edmonton)
           Anthony Walsh of Canoe (Toronto)
           Michael Moffatt of Beckta Dining and Wine (Ottawa-Gatineau)
           Roland Ménard of Manoir Hovey (Montréal)
           Martin Ruiz Salvador of Fleur de Sel (Halifax)

    Weekend Schedule:

    Black Box Competition
    George Brown College, 300 Adelaide Street East
    Thursday, February 7, 6 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. competition

    The Black Box contains five secret ingredients. Iron Chef-style, they
will have one hour to create two dishes for each of the judges, using all the
ingredients from the box. This is an exciting and intense part of the
Championships, when stress levels and sometimes tempers run high.

    Mystery Wine Pairing
    Century Room Night Club, 580 King Street West
    Friday, February 8, 6 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. competition

    Each chef is given an unlabelled bottle of the 2007 Canadian Culinary
Championship's "mystery wine" with instructions to create a dish that would
perfectly match the wine. Blue Rodeo's Jim Cuddy is a celebrity judge.

    Grande Finale
    Arcadian Court, 401 Bay Street
    Saturday, February 9, 6 p.m. reception, 7 pm competition

    Athletes in Attendance:
    -----------------------

    Karen Cockburn, two-time Olympic medallist, gymnastics - trampoline
    Alexandra Orlando, Beijing Olympic hopeful, rhythmic gymnastics
    Paul Rosen, two-time Paralympic medallist, sledge hockey
    Brian Stemmle, four-time Olympian, alpine skiing
    Mathieu Turgeon, Olympic bronze medallist, gymnastics - trampoline

    Each of the chefs will be preparing one dish at his or her food station
for everyone to taste, paired with his or her chosen wine from any winery in
Canada. Geddy Lee (RUSH) is a celebrity judge and Curt Harnett (triple Olympic
medalist) is the emcee. Justin Trudeau (CCC Honourary Ambassador) and a host
of celebrities will round out this exciting final event. Gold Medal Plates
will present medal winning wines from the top 10 wineries of the 2007 Canadian
Wine Awards. Winning chefs will be crowned at approximately 8:45 p.m.

    About Gold Medal Plates

    Since its inception, Gold Medal Plates has donated more than $2 million
to support Canadian Olympic and Paralympic athletes and has elevated the
profile of Canadian cuisine and wine. For more information visit
www.goldmedalplates.com

    Media: Please call ahead for media pass

For further information: Karen Petcoff, (416) 275-6844,
kvpet@rogers.com; Karen Blair, (416) 778-6533, kblair@goldmedalplates.com