in Competitions, Restaurants, Scholarship

Seventh annual Hawksworth Young Chef Scholarship National Finals Competition taking place in Vancouver

Canada’s definitive culinary competition for young chefs offers $10,000 grand prize

  • 2019 National Finals include development and learning opportunities leading up to competition day, October 6th, Dirty Apron Cooking School – with celebration reception & awards at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia & Hawksworth Restaurant following
  • Fundraising dinner to wrap up the 2019 season featuring Top Chef Canada competitors Phil Scarfone and Renée Lavallée, October 7th, Nightingale, proceeds support the Foundation
Select the image above to download high-resolution photos.

On Sunday, October 6th, 2019 eight young chef finalists from across the country will compete in a ‘Black Box’ competition in front of Canada’s most esteemed chefs and culinary professionals for the chance to win a $10,000 grand prize, an international cooking stage, a range of sponsor gifts and the ultimate bragging rights to being named Canada’s most talented young chef. Taking place in Vancouver at the Dirty Apron Cooking School, the Hawksworth Young Chef Scholarship National Finals Competition is the culmination of heated regional competitions at top culinary institutions in Calgary, Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver.

The three-day participant program for 2019 finalists kicks off on Friday, October 4th with an educational farm tour courtesy of Fraser Valley Specialty Poultry, followed by an evening wine tasting from Select Wines and welcome dinner at Hawksworth Restaurant. On Saturday, October 5th, the Italian Trade Agency invites participants to experience an Italian master class led by Michelin-starred Chef Agostino Iacobucci, while Cacao Barry hosts a chocolate workshop with fourth-generation pâtissier Thomas Haas later that afternoon. On Sunday, October 6th, the ‘Black Box’ competition begins at 9:00am PDT with final judging at 5:30pm PDT, award standings are announced at the evening reception.

“Mentorship and professional development opportunities continue to be an important part of the Scholarship, working to further our goal of building a strong culinary community and inspiring young chefs from across the country to be a part of it,” says Scholarship Founder Chef David Hawksworth. “With our alumni trip to Italy earlier this year, as well as the Calgary trip for our 2019 finalists in partnership with Canada Beef and the Canadian Beef Centre of Excellence – we will only continue to expand on what the program offers.”

New this year – the Hawksworth Young Chef Scholarship will be hosting a fundraising dinner at Nightingale on Monday, October 7th to wrap up the 2019 season. The exciting collaboration will see Chef David Hawksworth join Chefs Phil Scarfone (Nightingale) and Renée Lavallée (The Canteen), both competitors on Food Network Canada’s recent Top Chef Canada season, for an inventive multi-course feast. For more information and to purchase tickets ($175pp – proceeds support the foundation, limited seating available), visit www.facebook.com/events/712966115798106 or call 604.695.9500 to reserve today.

2019 Finalists
Daniel Angus, Toronto, ON – Langdon Hall Country House Hotel & Spa
Vincent Baronnat, Montreal, QC – Le Petit Mousso
Trevor Jerram, Calgary, AB – Previously of Trinity
Camilo Lapointe-Nascimento, Montreal, QC – Le Mousso
Ben Miller, Vancouver, BC – West Restaurant
Tyler Prevette, Vancouver, BC – Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar
Aravind Sundararaj, Toronto, ON – La Palma
Eric Wilson, Calgary, AB – Murrieta’s Bar & Grill

2019 Judges
Chef Renée Bellefeuille – Executive Chef, Art Gallery of Ontario (Toronto, ON)
Chef Lee Cooper – Chef & Owner, L’Abattoir, Coquille Fine Seafood & No.1 Gaoler’s Mews (Vancouver, BC)
Chef Kristian Eligh – Executive Chef, Toptable Group (Vancouver, BC)
Chef Nicole Gomes – Chef & Owner, Nicole Gourmet & Cluck ‘n’ Cleaver (Calgary, AB)
Chef Agostino Iacobucci – Ristorante Iacobucci (Italy)
Chef Renée Lavallée – Chef & Co-Owner, The Canteen (Dartmouth, NS)
Chef Adam Pegg – Chef & Owner, La Quercia (Vancouver, BC)
Chef Chris Stewart – Executive Chef, Aritzia (Vancouver, BC)
Chef Rhonda Viani – Pastry Chef, Locals Restaurant (Comox, BC)

Applications for next year’s competition open January 2020. To apply, and for information on becoming a sponsor, visit hawksworthscholarship.com.