With the chefs lined up and the secret ingredient revealed, the stage is set for the second ever Top Dino Chef Competition set for August. The five chefs, including the 2012 winner Shaun Paton, will be preparing 150 servings of dishes that must include locally sourced honey. Paton, who is the executive chef at the Stonebridge Hotel, says even though he has the advantage of experience, this year’s competition will be different from the last.
“In 2012 we kind of catered to 1000 people and there was really no cap on how many pieces we could provide or how many different ways we could prepare it. This year’s a little bit different, we’re only providing 150 pieces, so we’re going to be on our A game for sure.”
One of the new competitors is Bryan Theaker, Executive Chef for Padrino’s. Theaker says it’s a great opportunity for him and other chefs in the area.
“I haven’t been to too many competitions, there aren’t too many avenues for us here in Grande Prairie to really show our stuff aside from, you know, what we get paid to do in our own restaurant so, it’s good to get more recognition.”
The competition is set for August 8 at the VIP Garden Party reception, part of the festivities of the Dino Ball ribbon cutting weekend.