Earns spot in semi-finals at Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto
TORONTO, Oct. 7, 2014 /CNW/ - Three top chefs put their culinary skills and creativity on the table this past Sunday at the Markham Fair as part of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair's Road to The Royal Chef Challenge, presented by TSC Stores.
Chef Pedro Pereira of Fishbone Bistro in Stouffville won the competition with his strawberry goat cheese and barley risotto and a seared lamb loin, with a strawberry mint sauce and balsamic reduction. For dessert he whipped up Portuguese cake layered with cookie crumbs and whipped cream topped with an amaretto custard.
Chefs were given 30 minutes in each round to create an entrée and a dessert. Each entrée included a "secret ingredient" from a local producer. Chefs were given strawberries from Whittamore's Farm to include in their entrée.
Also competing in the event were Chef Deana Folco of Folco's Ristorante in Markham and Chef Bryan Simmons of Great Blue Heron Casino in Port Perry.
The Road to the Royal Chef Challenge is visiting 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 — will serve 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. 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.
The final stop on The Road to The Royal Chef Challenge is set for the Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show in Simcoe on Saturday, October 11.
In addition to the Markham Fair, regional competitions have already been held at the Peterborough Exhibition, the Barrie Fair, the Paris Fair and the Great Northern Exhibition in Collingwood.
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.
Image with caption: "Winner Chef Pedro Pereira with Ted Reader (CNW Group/Royal Agricultural Winter Fair)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141007_C1479_PHOTO_EN_6448.jpg
SOURCE: Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
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