Chef Isaac Co wins Road to The Royal Chef Challenge at Markham Fair

Earns spot in semi-finals at The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto

TORONTO, Oct. 7, 2015 /CNW/ - On Sunday the Road to the Royal Chef Challenge made its final stop at the Markham Fair where three top chefs put their culinary skills to the test.

Chef Isaac Co from the Smash Kitchen and Bar served up a win with his sage crusted Chilean sea bass with goat cheese butternut squash puree followed by an apple crumble with a Woolwich Dairy goat cheese anglaise. 

Chefs were given 30 minutes for each round to create an entrée and a dessert. Each dish included a "secret ingredient" selected from locally grown or produced food products, which were provided to the chefs at the beginning of the competition. The secret ingredients used for this chef challenge were, The Royal's 2013 Grand Champion chocolate raspberry jam, Woolwich Dairy goat's milk cheese, and farm fresh eggs provided by  Egg Farmers of Ontario.

Also competing in the event were Chef Deana Falco from Falco's Ristorante and Chef Pedro Pereira from Fishbone Bistro.

The Egg Farmers of Ontario Road to the Royal Chef Challenge visited three regional fairs and one festival leading up to the 93rd Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. The Fair runs November 6-15, 2015 at Exhibition Place in Toronto. Award-winning chef and author Ted Reader — known as one of Canada's top barbecue authorities — will serve as Master of Ceremonies for each competition.

"We have seen a lot of talented chefs at the Road to the Royal competitions," said Reader. "It's always inspiring to see the amazing dishes these chefs are able to create in the heat of competition and we can't wait to see what they will bring to the table at The Royal."

The winners of each regional competition will move forward to semi-final rounds to be held on Friday, November 6 and Saturday, November 7 at The Royal in Toronto. Funding support for this program has been provided to The Royal by the Province of Ontario.

About The Royal:

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair is the world's largest combined indoor agricultural and equestrian show.  This year, The 93rd Royal Agricultural Winter Fair runs November 6-15, 2015 Exhibition Place, Toronto. For competition schedules, live webcasting, results and to purchase tickets, please visit www.royalfair.org.

SOURCE Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

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