Julia Kundera’s (Out of Bounds Restaurant) robust Four Whistle Farm’s duck breast with a buckwheat and duck cabbage roll with crispy Chioggia beet chips, paired with the 2022 Fielding Beamsville Bench Cab Franc wowed the judges with its forthright flavours and placed Julia on the podium in her first year of competing. It was silver medallist Jason Green (Braven Restaurant) first time leading a team. His cheeky Lakeside Dairy Wagyu beef tongue tacos made with Israel Alvarez’s masa, paired with Trail & Ale’s Writer’s Blanc were delicious. Chef Doreen Prei (Glenora Park) snatched the gold with a nuanced dish of lobster and scallop with sea buckthorn, micro sorrel, tomato, and the snappiest peas with a uni vinaigrette—a faultless dish that worked on every level—paired with Joie Farm’s 2023 A Noble Blend. Chef Prei will compete in Ottawa at the Canadian Culinary Competition in Ottawa in February. Congratulation to all the competitors!
Chefs Jason Greene (silver) Doreen Prei (gold) Julia Kundera (bronze)