Apprentice of the Year – Vancouver

After a decade-long absence, British Columbia’s culinary industry is holding the Culinary Apprentice of the Year competition on November 2nd.

The competition put on by the Chefs' Table Society of BC, Vancouver Community College (VCC), and Industry Training Authority (ITA). Other partners include BC Chefs Association, North Vancouver Island Chefs Association, Okanagan Chefs Association, and Victoria Chefs Association. We at Russell Hendrix were honoured to be one of the gold sponsors for this year’s competition. This event is an excellent way for competitors to test their skills, learn from others, and talk to chefs who are willing to share their knowledge. Judges will include world-class chefs Bruno Marti and Hamid Salimian.

Chef Poyan Danesh, Competition Chair, Chefs' Table Society of BC, knows a thing or two about competitions. He has been heavily involved in the B.C. culinary scene since graduating top of his class at VCC. Among his many accomplishments, Chef Danesh was named BC Chef of the Year in 2013, won multiple gold medals in the World Culinary Olympics, and was named Culinary Apprentice of the Year in 2008.

"Competitions and being an apprentice opened countless doors and opportunities for me, and it's a great way to jump start one’s career and nurture their passions,” said Chef Danesh. “We wanted to make this competition available for apprentices throughout the province to elevate their skills and offer them the opportunity to connect with the community they plan to make a career in.”

“VCC is excited to welcome back the Culinary Apprentice of the Year competition,” said Dennis Innes, Dean of Hospitality, Food Studies and Applied Business at VCC. “While classroom learning is critical to our students’ training, employers recognize the tenacity, patience, passion, and composure students develop through competition.”

Read the full press release here

Participants will be required to create a three-course meal for judges and invited guests at the competition. The winner will receive their choice of $2,000 or all-expenses paid trip to accompany Culinary Team BC to Germany for the World Culinary Olympics in February 2020.

Keep an eye out on our social pages for updates and news on the participants who will be competing.