Garland Canada Culinary Competition

OVER $10,000 IN CASH & PRIZES UP FOR GRABS

Restaurants Canada and Garland Canada continue their commitment to Canada's thriving and passionate culinary community by showcasing its top emerging talent at the annual Garland Canada Culinary Competition. Competitors will have to prove their skills and creativity in front of a panel of esteemed judges in both a virtual and in-person round of competition. In each of these rounds, we will challenge chefs to craft a dish that reflects the 2023 RC Show theme - Heart & Hustle. By connecting their dish back to the memories and the passion it ignites and sharing with us what inspired them to choose this industry.

The competition’s diversity and inclusion mandate holds space for 50% of the competitors to be women and prioritizes BIPOC culinary talent.

Applications are now closed for 2023

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2023 Competition Details

Tuesday, April 11, 11:00am-3:00pm - Culinary Stage

Round 1 - Culinary schools across Canada will review applications and choose the semi-finalists.
Round 2 - The semi-finalists will invite a panel of three judges into their home kitchens (virtually) and share a 45-minute culinary demonstration, which creatively reflects the theme and incorporates the black box ingredients and pantry list. Judges will select the final four to move forward.
Round 3 - The finalists will travel to the RC Show in Toronto and partake in the live competition on April 11, 2023. They will compete head-to-head in a timed cooking demo. Winners will be chosen and announced at the competition on the culinary stage.

Competition Prizes

1st Place - $5,000
2nd Place - $3,000
3rd Place - $1,500
Runner-Up - $500
Fan Favourite - $500

*Plus top-tier culinary gear from our sponsors

View competition rules and regulations

Applicant Criteria

Have a minimum of 3-4 years of experience working in a professional kitchen.
Be living and working in Canada.
Be 19 years of age or older.
Complete application in full, by deadline, to be considered valid
Be available to compete virtually on one day between February 27 and March 10, 2023
Be available to travel to Toronto to compete in the live competition, should they be selected, which will take place on April 11, 2023
Be willing to work with any ingredients assigned, including meat, dairy and seafood products
Not be a decorated, recognized, multiple culinary competition winner or TV personality chef
Not be a previous winner or judge of The Garland Canada Culinary Competition

Applications will include contact information, resume, references, headshots and photos of you working in the kitchen, 50-100 word written application and a 1-3 minute video.

Application submissions will be reviewed and judged by a panel of culinary experts from the top culinary schools in Canada. Restaurants Canada and Garland Canada will not be involved in any of the judging.

Applications are now closed. Thank you for your interest!

Dish at Garland Canada Culinary Competition

Vote for Your Fan Favourite

In addition to competing for the chance to advance to the finals, the 12 semi-finalist will be entered for a chance to win the ‘Fan Favourite’ prize of $500. The winner of this category will be determined through voting on the Restaurants Canada Instagram page (@restaurantscanada). Short videos of each of the competitors’ virtual demonstration will be uploaded to Instagram and the competitor with the most likes at the end of the voting period will be named Fan Favourite!