Congratulations to Chef Louis Simard from the Fairmont Chateau Laurier who took home the gold medal and the $10,000 top prize during last night’s Ontario Culinary Challenge hosted by the National Arts Centre and its Executive Chef John Morris as part of Ontario Scene.

More than 700 guests experienced the innovative and mouth-watering creations of 15 top chefs from across the province. Each chef prepared uniquely Ontario small plates using a selection of 100% local and regional meats, cheeses, fruits, and vegetables. The chefs partnered with Ontario wineries – with the support of Wine Country Ontario – to produce the perfect food-wine pairings.

Chef Louis Simard won the gold medal with his braised lamb shank and mushroom ravioli. Nick Benninger from Nick and Nat’s Uptown 21 in Waterloo placed second and was awarded $5,000 thanks to his maple candied pig tails. Hayden Johnston from Richmond Station in Toronto placed third – and picked up $2,500 – with his braised beef ravioli.  

ABOUT ONTARIO SCENE

Ontario Scene is the seventh in a successful biennial series of multidisciplinary festivals showcasing the work of established and emerging artists from a specific region of the country, Ontario Scene takes place at more than 30 venues across Ottawa-Gatineau from April 29 to May 10, 2015. Over 600 hundred artists are bringing their music, theatre, dance, visual and media arts, film, literature and culinary creations to the nation’s capital in an eclectic and spectacular celebration of the Ontario arts scene.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Carl Martin
Senior Advisor, Communications
National Arts Centre
613 947-7000 x560
carl.martin@nac-cna.ca