A fresh trio of student chefs to compete in third-annual Winterlicious competition at Mildred's Temple Kitchen

Emerging talent from three leading culinary schools to compete before a panel of Toronto chefs

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TORONTO, Jan. 30, 2012 /CNW/ - Toronto cuisine will once again get a splash of Florida sunshine this winter, as students from three of Ontario's top culinary schools put their citrus skills to the test in the hopes of winning a $2,000 prize. The third-annual "Pulp Kitchen: Rising Chef Citrus Cook-off" is part of the Winterlicious 2012 Culinary Event Series, presented by American Express® and produced by the City of Toronto.

On February 7, 2012, students from Stratford Chefs School, Niagara College and Humber College will face off at Mildred's Temple Kitchen in Toronto's Liberty Village. Each student chef will create one appetizer, entrée and dessert featuring fresh Florida grapefruit, grapefruit juice and orange juice to present to a judging panel comprised of the city's most discerning palates. Audience members will take in the action while enjoying a citrus sampling menu from Chef du Cuisine Taylor McMeekin.

"We are once again delighted to work alongside the Florida Department of Citrus to bring another installment of the 'Pulp Kitchen: Rising Chef Citrus Cook-off' to Mildred's Temple Kitchen," says Donna Dooher, Executive Chef at Mildred's Temple Kitchen. "This event allows student chefs to demonstrate the versatility of Florida citrus while showcasing their talents as they prepare to enter the culinary industry."

The judging panel, consisting of Lynn Crawford, Jeff Crump and Christian Pritchard, will rate and critique student participants based on four categories: taste, originality and creativity, presentation and connection to local Ontario ingredients while complementing Florida citrus.

Executive Chef Donna Dooher will emcee this year's event, guiding audience members through each stage of the competition. Each student chef competitor will receive a 13-inch French skillet from All-Clad and an 8-inch cook's knife from WÜSTHOF, with the winning student also receiving an 8-inch bread knife from WÜSTHOF. The winner will be awarded with a $2,000 cheque and the two runners-up will each receive $500.

Reservations for "Pulp Kitchen: Rising Chef Citrus Cook-off" are made on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Tickets are $55 plus applicable taxes.  To reserve your ticket for this citrus showdown, please contact Mildred's Temple Kitchen at [phone].

About the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC)
The Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) is an executive agency of the Florida government charged with the marketing, research and regulation of the Florida citrus industry.  Its activities are funded by a tax paid by growers on each box of citrus that moves through commercial channels.  A few of the popular varieties of Florida citrus fruit available in Canadian supermarkets are Ruby Red Grapefruit, Flame Grapefruit, and Marsh Grapefruit with 100 per cent pure Florida orange juice and Florida grapefruit juice available all year round.

About Winterlicious Culinary Event Series
Winterlicious, presented by American Express® again shines the spotlight on Toronto's unrivalled culinary industry with a series of 11 mouth-watering culinary events.

Emily Abrahams - GolinHarris
416-642-7948
[email protected]

Leanne Bull - GolinHarris
416-642-7919
[email protected]