Hawksworth Young Chef Scholarship Foundation announced two Montreal finalists

VANCOUVER, BC (May 23rd, 2017): The Hawksworth Young Chef Scholarship is thrilled to announce Jonathan Morrison of Moncton’s Barolo & Co. and Massimo Piedimonte of Le Mousso as the finalists of 2017’s Montreal Regional Heat. Both will carry on to the Hawksworth Young Chef Scholarship Final competition, held this fall, where both will compete against eight other finalists from across the country for the scholarship’s grand prize of $10,000 and a stage at a renowned international restaurant.

Using only a select few pantry items supplied by General Food Service Canada and Club House for Chefs, Morrison and Piedimonte wowed the judges with a crispy skin trout with braised celeriac, pickled jalapeno and an escargot & walnut curry and trout with potato skales and double agnolotti in a rich buttermilk & parsley sauce, respectively. Both competitors showed an incredible attention to detail in the kitchen and impressed the judges with their carefully constructed plate in the tasting challenge.

Scholarship founder Chef David Hawksworth and Chef de Cuisine, Chris Stewart of Vancouver’s Hawksworth Restaurant, Bel Cafe and Nightingale were joined by a panel of some of Montreal’s most renowned chefs including Chef Jérémie Bastien, (Lemeac), Chef Derek Dammann, (Maison Publique), Chef Marc-André Royale, (Le St-Urbain), Chef Vincent Lavoie-Beaulé, Culinary Professor of ITHQ. With their own extensive knowledge and expertise in the field, the panel observed each of the young chef’s overall skill and professionalism within the kitchen and the quality of their final dish to ultimately choose the regional winners. The regional competition was also be followed by a celebratory collaborative dinner at La Bête á Pain, joined by the Montreal finalists, regional judges and celebrity chefs, Jérémie Bastien & Marc-André Royale.

“This is the second regional heat this year and from what I’ve seen, I think this could be one of our best, most competitive years yet,” says Chef David Hawksworth. “Each of the competitors and the finalists, especially, show a very bright future not only for themselves in their craft, but the overall Montreal food scene.”

The Scholarship would also like to thank sponsors such as Air Canada, Acqua Panna & San Pellegrino, CIBC, Canadian Linen, GFS, Select Wines & Spirits, Club House and Zwilling J.A.Henckels for making each competition and collaborative dinner possible and for their support of the Scholarship as it continues to encourage the culinary stars of tomorrow.