Gold-medal reputation for over 25 years
Canadian Culinary Teams have competed internationally since 1972 but marked 1984 the "coming of age" of Canada's chefs – the year they established themselves as worthy Olympians in the international culinary arena. Culinary Team Canada pursues excellence in culinary arts, skills and craftsmanship in order to deservedly represent Canada as Culinary Ambassadors of a cuisine that is uniquely Canadian and reflective of the cultural diversity and agricultural abundance of our country.
With world-class resumés, Canadian chefs, individually and as a team, are regarded as some of the best chefs in the world. At the 2012 World Culinary Olympics, Canada's national team is aiming for Gold, aiming to be best overall and World Champion. And when the spotlight falls on Culinary Team Canada, it lights up the entire country. As a supporter of the Team, you can become part of this Olympic endeavour.
The World Culinary Olympics, the largest and most prestigious culinary competition in the world, attracts considerable media and public attention. With a legacy as World Champions and always-favoured contenders, the 2012 Olympic team of chefs is passionately focused on living up to the Team Canada reputation and on fulfilling the vision to be the best in the world.
Every competition serves as a stepping-stone – building momentum and developing the skills and team synergy needed to be a top contender at the World Culinary Olympics hosted once every four years.
Comprised of chefs from across Canada – who have exhibited excellence in culinary skills, Culinary Team Canada members are chosen by their peers to represent our country, and are volunteers who participate in Team activities on their own time. At the World Culinary Olympics, the national team – comprising five members, one backup member, and one manager – strives to obtain the highest number of total points to win best overall and receive world champion distinction. They utilize the indigenous foods and flavours of their home country, and are judged by their peers in two specific competitive categories: Restaurant of Nations Hot Competition (66-2/3 points) and Cold Display Table Competition (33-1/3 points).
Working in full view of judges, team members are scrutinized as they prepare an elaborate three-course dinner for 100 people in only five hours. A gold medal performance demands concentration, physical stamina and composure from each individual member as well as superior teamwork. Innovation must be balanced with viability when the team creates competition entries. Judging is based on harmony of competition, appetizing and elegant presentation, and correct basic culinary preparation using modern techniques and indigenous products and exemplary plating.
In addition to their participation in international competitions, Culinary Team Canada fosters partnerships with the foodservice and hospitality industry to their mutual benefit. While competition provides a forum for Culinary Team Canada members to develop their professional skills in the company of master chefs from around the world, they take back to their workplaces the fruits of those experiences. Team members enrich the foodservice, hospitality and tourism industries that support and play an integral role in the success of Canada's culinary teams.
