The April meeting of the CCFCC Winnipeg Branch was held at Gordon Food Service’s fantastic facility on Sterling Lyon Parkway. Following an insightful tour of their state of the art operation by Nelson, we were treated to a tasty and wholesome dinner featuring an array of the products presented.

The educational portion of the meeting focussed on seasonal harvest transitions and their impacts on the current state of produce. We learned about the methods that Markon farms of Salinas California uses to insure our market availability of fine produce.

We were introduced to the launch of the new line of Pepper Mill salad dressings and were sweetened up by Ice cream varieties and a dessert bar featuring the offerings of Wow Factor desserts.

We would like to welcome new members Jose Noboa and Mark Delores to the association.

Special thanks to Bob and Howard for their long time support of the branch, and to the team at Gordon Food Services for an informative and delicious meeting.

Congratulations to Christy Barkman of Red River College who won the Manitoba Saputo Culinary Challenge and will go on to the National competition in Calgary.  First runner up was Colin Rae of Red River College. Honourable mention to the other competitors,  Tara Hall of JOEY restaurant, Vien Salimbacod of the Glendale Golf and Country Club and Alexis Javier of Red River College.

On Saturday April 1, 2017 the CCFCC and Red River College hosted the Saputo Junior Challenge. The competition was organized by Chef Micheal Fitzhenry . Kitchen Judges were Chef Paul Lemire, Chef Terry Geretta,  and Chef Brian Humniski. 

Competition Judges were Chef Ron Dobrinsky, Chef Jeremy Langemann and Colleen Robbins of Saputo.

Thankyou to Red River College for hosting the event.

The 2017 CCFCC Awards Gala was held on Saturday March 25, 2017 at the RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg. The evening was hosted by Chef Quentin Harty and his Culinary team.  Action stations were presented by Chef Jesse Freisen and Sous Chef Connie Klassen of Pizzaria Gusto , Chef Andy Ormiston and Selkirk Regional Secondary students, Chef Mark Falgui and Chef Terry Willerton and Tec Voc High school Students. 

Awards were presented to

Michael Keeler , Chef of the Year

Bonnie Milarchuk of Binner Marketing, Associate of the Year

Lifetime Achievement , Chef Karl Omen

Lifetime Honorary Members Gaspar Scholcz and Mo Razik

Canadian Culinary Federation Honor Society, Chef Nick Marchak

Chef Jesse Friesen of Pizzeria Gusto had a busy month, first representing Manitoba at the World Culinary Olympics in Germany and then coming home to Win the Winnipeg Gold Medal Plates competition.

Congratulations Chef.

Winnipeg’s Chefs Association was out to tell visitors about the benifits to the Manitoba Hotel Association show at the Victoria Inn last Tuesday. Thanks to Helmut Mathae, Ron Dobrinsky, Trevor Bailey and Bonnie Mularchuk for attending the booth. Thanks to Helmut and Lionel Brunel for the edible art on display. Chocolate Painting and Salt Sculpture.

Bee Maid Honey offered the Chefs a chance to see behind the scenes of a Manitoba treasure, pure and simple. Great food prepared and served by Agriculture Team Manitoba. Insight-full presentation by Bill Bygarski, bee keeper and  Bee Maid Staff Shannon Bowden and Isela Arroyo.