February 7, 2001
For Immediate Release

Team Banff Centre gives Hot Cookery Competition a Taste of the Rockies

Team Banff Centre is flexing its culinary creativity in preparation for the Hot Cookery Competition in Regina this Sunday. Hosted by the Regina Academy of Chefs and Cooks, the competition will be judged by an international panel of renowned experts including Montreal chef Marcel Kretz, who was recently awarded the Order of Canada for his contribution to the culinary arts, and Edmonton chef Clayton Folkers, a member of Team Canada who won the gold medal in October’s Culinary Olympics. This year’s prairie cook-off promises to feature delectable dishes created by elite chefs from Western and Central Canada. "We’re competing against teams from Winnipeg, Saskatoon, and Regina," says team leader Tony Baker. "Team Banff Centre is the only private organization entering the competition."

The team, consisting of sous chef Tony Baker; evening chef de partie Sandy Burns; vegetarian chef Don Barnes; and apprentice cook Geoff Prophet, have an appetizing weekend ahead of them. Each team will create a cold starter, a main course, and a hot dessert, which will be delivered to the judges by white-gloved servers. The Banff Centre’s team will be serving up a mouth-watering classic and fusion duo of salmon gravalax served with tuna sushi to start, followed by tournedos of Striploin with Quebec aged cheddar potato roseti, beet reduction and seasonal vegetables, and culminating in pears poached in red wine and served with a maple whiskey sabayon for dessert.

Team Banff Centre will leave for Regina on Saturday morning at 5:00 a.m., and start cooking at 8:00 Sunday morning. They’ll be racing against the clock to demonstrate their skill; the competition lasts only four hours and 45 minutes. Competitors will be judged on their professionalism (including attire, mise-en-place and decorum); techniques and skills (slicing dexterity, layering, and assembling); nutritional composition (these tasty dishes have to include four food groups presented as a healthy, balanced meal); and presentation and taste (what could be more important?). Winners will be announced at around 5:00 Sunday afternoon, and Team Banff Centre will return to Banff on Monday morning.

Bonne chance, team, and bon appetit!