On Wednesday, March 22, 10 restaurants will get busy prepping food for 500 guests at the 18th Annual BCPMA Healthy Chef Competition, produced by the BC Produce Marketing Association (BCPMA) and the BC Chefs Association (BCCA).
Over the past 17 years, the Healthy Chef Competition has become one of the most anticipated events in Vancouver!
The evening offers a chance to rub shoulders with celebrities, entertainers and sports guests, take selfies with Freggie (the official mascot of the fruit and veggie industry), bid on live and silent auction items and take home some fabulous fresh produce and an assortment of cool swag.
Up to 10 restaurants and culinary schools are invited by the BCCA to create amazing dishes and desserts while keeping fresh produce as the star of the plate. Guests only know what entrée and dessert they’ll be eating the moment they open an envelope at the table on event night.
Diners at each table are called up to the plating area to pick up their entrée (and later) dessert as indicated by the envelope’s contents.
At 6 pm on event night, five BC chefs plus two guest judges will evaluate each dish based on a point system, including the use of six or more produce items, taste, and plate presentation for both entrée and dessert. Formal judging is done by BCCA chefs.
Each restaurant and culinary school will compete for a chance to win one of five trophies:
– Healthy Half Your Plate Entrée Award (includes a $1,000 cash prize)
– Best Dessert
– Best Table Showcase (selected by attending food and event bloggers)
– People’s Choice Award
– Best Children’s Entrée (new for 2017)
Participating Competitors
– The Hyatt Regency Vancouver (host hotel)
– e.b.o. Restaurant
– Vancouver Community College
– Vancouver Island University
– The Wild Fig
– Beach Grove Golf Club
– The Club House-Pretty Estates Resorts
– White Spot
– Marriott Hotels and Restaurant Vancouver Airport
Returning emcee Marke Driesschen of CTV will put his special spin on the evening’s events. Premier sponsors include The Little Potato Company and Mt. Boucherie Winery. Food suppliers include Sysco Vancouver and Gordon Food Service.
18th Annual BCPMA Healthy Chef Competition
Date: Wednesday, March 22, 6:30 to 9:30 pm
Venue: Hyatt Regency, 655 Burrard Street, Vancouver
Tickets: $90 (including taxes/no service charge); available via phone (604.944.0179), email (info@bcpma.com) or online
Tickets include dinner and dessert, the evening’s festivities and a swag box of goodies. I’ve attended several Healthy Chef Competitions and always have a great time over conversation, excellent eats and lots of nice little surprises throughout the evening!
You can also WIN your way into the event by submitting a 30-minute fresh produce recipe at BC Produce online. Entries will be accepted until midnight, March 11. Follow all things Healthy Chef on Twitter @bcproducebc using hashtags #healthychef and #bcpma17
