CNW/ - Three top chefs put their culinary skills and creativity on the table this past Saturday at the Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show as part of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair's Road to The Royal Chef Challenge, presented by TSC Stores.
Chef Scott McRae of David's Restaurant in Port Dover won the competition with his entrée of pork belly braised in apple cider with kimchi, parsnip and apple purée with a side of cabbage. For dessert, he created an apple cider ice cream which he served alongside a slice of pumpkin pie with a shortbread biscuit and saboyan bottom garnished with orange zest.
All three chefs were given 30 minutes to complete an entrée and 30 minutes to complete a dessert Chefs had to incorporate two "secret ingredients" in their dishes — Cortland Apples from the Norfolk Fruit Growers' Association and eggs from Ontario egg producer Kayla Veldman.
Also competing in the event were Ryan Rivard, Chef/Owner, at The Combine in Simcoe, and Heather Pond, Chef/Owner at The Blue Elephant in Simcoe.
The Road to the Royal Chef Challenge visited six regional fairs leading up to the 92nd Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, which runs November 7-16, 2014 in the Direct Energy Centre and Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto. Award-winning chef and author Ted Reader — known as one of Canada's top barbecue authorities — served as Master of Ceremonies for each competition.
"It's always inspiring to see the amazing dishes top chefs are able to cook up in the heat of competition. Each of the chefs showed a lot of creativity and knowledge to perform so well under such tight time constraints," said Reader.
The winners of each regional competition will move forward to semi-final rounds which will be held on Friday, November 7 and Saturday, November 8 at The Royal in Toronto. The top two regional champions and a top Toronto chef will vie for the title of Royal Chef Challenge Grand Champion during a final round at The Royal on Saturday, November 15. More information is available at http://www.royalfair.org/wine-dine/royal-culinary-theatre-chef-competitions/road-royal.
Funding support for this program has been provided to The Royal by the Government of Ontario. In addition to TSC Stores, The Road to The Royal Chef Challenge is also sponsored by The Egg Farmers of Ontario, which represents approximately 440 egg farmers and pullet growers.
In addition to the Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show, regional competitions were held at the Peterborough Exhibition, the Barrie Fair, the Paris Fair, the Great Northern Exhibition in Collingwood and the Markham Fair.
About The Royal:
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the world's largest combined indoor agricultural and equestrian show. This year, The 92nd Royal Agricultural Winter Fair runs November 7-16, 2014 in the Direct Energy Centre and Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto. For competition schedules, live webcasting, results and to purchase tickets, please visit www.royalfair.org.
"Winner Chef Scott McRae of David’s Restaurant in Port Dover with Ted Reader.
Source: Royal Agricultural Winter Fair