Ten Chefs, Three Competitions – One National Culinary Champion Celebrating Canadian Culinary Excellence January 30 and January 31, 2026, in Ottawa
OTTAWA, December 2, 2025 — Canada’s Great Kitchen Party is proud to announce the details and the participating Chefs for the 2026 Canadian Culinary Championship, which takes place in Ottawa on January 30 and January 31st.
“We are delighted to bring the Canadian Culinary Championship back to the nation’s capital in 2026,” said Karen Blair, COO of Canada’s Great Kitchen Party. “Ottawa has an impressive track record on the national culinary stage, having produced four past champions: Marc Lépine (twice), Yannick LaSalle, and Briana Kim, which underscores the depth of talent within the Ottawa-Gatineau region. This year’s championship will once again highlight the capital’s vibrant culinary scene as it welcomes top chefs from across the country.
Regional Qualifying
Regional competitions were held nationwide in cities stretching from the Pacific to the Atlantic, with each gold medal-winning chef qualifying for the Canadian Culinary Championship (CCC) in Ottawa January 30 and 31st 2026 where they will compete in three events: the Mystery Wine Competition, the Black Box Competition, and the Grand Finale Competition. The chef with the highest total score determined by the national judging panel will be crowned champion.
10 Regional chefs competing at CCC
| Region | Chef | Restaurant | Wine Pairing – Regional Event |
| Vancouver | Jaeyoung (Jay) Park | Boulevard Kitchen and Oyster Bar | Tantalus 2023 Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, BC |
| Edmonton | Tyson Wright | The Old Red Barn (Leduc) and Strada Artisan Bakery (Camrose) | Dirty Laundry 2022 Kay’s Syrah, Okanagan Valley, BC |
| Calgary | Dean Fast | Rouge Restaurant | Cloudsley 2022 Pinot Noir, Niagara Peninsula, ON |
| Saskatoon | Kevin Monych | Hearth Restaurant | Rosewood 2023 Blau, Niagara, ON |
| Winnipeg | Emily Butcher | Nola/Bar Accanto | Rosewood 2021 Riesling AF, Niagara, ON |
| Toronto | Jonathan Williams | Park Hyatt Toronto | Leaning Post Wines, 2020 Syrah, Stony Creek, ON |
| Ottawa | Jason Sawision | Stofa | De Simone 2021 Motivation Fume Blanc from Four Mile Creek in Niagara |
| Montreal | Isaël Gadoua | Restaurant Chez Jean-Paul | Menaud gin, produced in Quebec |
| Moncton | Niguel De Leon | Atelier Tony | Henry of Pelham’s 2023, Baco Noir |
| St. John’s | Lacey Coffin | Vu Resto Bar | Mission Hill Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon VQA 2022, West Kelowna, BC |
Mystery Wine Pairing
The CCC’s two-day competition kicks off on Friday, January 30, 2026, with the Mystery Wine Pairing. Competing chefs will be challenged to craft a dish—using local ingredients and working within a tight timeframe and modest budget—that best complements a yet-to-be-revealed vintage.
Samples for Guests
Guests will have the opportunity to sample the chefs’ creations throughout the evening. The event will be presented as a stand-up cocktail reception and will feature a curated selection of wines, local craft beer, signature cocktails, and artisanal food products.
Black Box Challenge
The second competition, the Black Box Challenge, will take place on the morning of Saturday, January 31, 2026, at La Cité’s Culinary School. Competing chefs will receive a black box containing a selection of seven diverse Canadian ingredients and be required to create and plate two exceptional dishes for evaluation by the judges. This event offers guests an unparalleled opportunity to witness a live, high-intensity culinary competition reminiscent of Iron Chef.
Mini Market
A mini-market showcasing local products will also be featured, with participation from La Cité culinary students, providing guests with an additional opportunity to explore and enjoy regional offerings.
Grand Finale at Rogers Centre Ottawa
Last year’s winner, Ottawa Chef, Lizardo Becerra at the Grand Finale 2024
The Grand Finale takes place on the evening of Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Rogers Centre Ottawa and is anticipated to be one of the city’s most sought-after events. Tickets are already more than 60 per cent sold.
A total of 550 guests will attend to sample the chefs’ finest creations and mingle with special celebrity guests. Reigning Canadian Culinary Champion Alex Kim, Five Sails Restaurant, Vancouver, BC, will also be featured, presenting a dish for the VIP guests.
Spirit of the West Celebration
The evening will feature a Spirit of the West celebration, with performances by the band’s frontman, Geoffrey Kelly, along with the legendary Barney Bentall and former guitarist of Spirit of the West, Matthew Harder. The highlight of the evening will be the crowning of the 2026 Canadian Culinary Champion!
Proceeds to National Charities
A portion of proceeds from The Canadian Culinary Championship in Ottawa will support national charities MusiCounts and Spirit North, alongside Ottawa charities working to address food insecurity among local children and youth. To date, Canada’s Great Kitchen Party has surpassed $19 million raised to help ensure youth across Canada have equitable access to sport, music education, and food security.
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