School of Hospitality and Tourism

AC learners take centre stage at Canadian Culinary Championship  

Feb. 3 marks the start of the Canadian Culinary Competition, a two-day competition which will take place in Ottawa and feature nine of Canada’s brightest culinary minds. The event is divided into three separate competitions with one winner crowned at the cumulative grand finale event on Saturday, Feb. 4.

The first competition will be a Mystery Wine Pairing which will take place at the Shaw Centre — chefs will be given a mystery bottle of wine and challenged to create a dish with local ingredients that best complement the beverage.

Algonquin College will be the proud host of the second competition on Saturday, Feb. 4. The Black Box challenge will take place from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the College’s state-of-the-art culinary facilities. The challenge will require the chefs to prepare two dishes in one hour using a box of mystery ingredients. Delicious nibbles will be prepared by Algonquin College’s culinary learners, using local ingredients, for onlookers to enjoy while they soak in this Iron Chef-type experience.

AC learners will be hard at work during the third and final competition at the Shaw Centre as well where teams of five will be assigned to each competing chef for culinary support.

This competition is an opportunity for budding chefs to learn from some of the best in the business and create meaningful relationships that will promote their success in the industry post-graduation. Student volunteers were chosen for their academic vigor and culinary abilities within all levels of the College’s culinary program.

Learners from Algonquin College’s Broadcasting – Television program will be onsite as well — a team of 18 students will put their audio and video skills to the test, broadcasting the Canadian Culinary Championship for viewers at home.

You won’t want to miss this opportunity to support Algonquin College learners and enjoy delicious fare prepared by the nation’s foremost culinary professionals. Learn more about the weekend’s events and buy your tickets today by visiting this link.

Culinary authenticity of AC Chef Instructor shines at Chef’s Table event  

Looking to celebrate a special occasion in the nation’s capital? Look no further! Algonquin College’s very own chef Tanya Skeates will be serving up a delicious farm-to-table feast as part of the Chef’s Table event held at the National Arts Centre (NAC) from Aug. 18 to Sept. 10.

Chef Tanya Skeates poses for a photo in her chef whites. One arm rests on the white table while the other props up her chin.

Chef Tanya Skeates poses for a photo in her chef whites.

Presented by the Festival of Small Halls, the event will offer a romantic canal-side experience with live musical entertainment and, most importantly, the thoughtfully curated three-course menus of five of Canada’s very best culinary minds.

Skeates has been fostering the creative artistry of budding chefs at the College for almost five years now and, when she’s not busy sharing her culinary expertise, she can be found dreaming up new culinary experiences of her own. However, it wasn’t the creative expression that drew her to a career in the kitchen but her wanderlust for travel.

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‘Bizzy Barflies’ paddle for good at Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival  

Every year the Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival attracts thousands of visitors from across Canada and beyond. This year was no different.

Roughly 200 teams competed in the nation’s capital over the weekend to row their hearts out and raise funds for the Ottawa Dragon Boat Foundation (ODBF), which to date has supported over 65 community-based non-profits, including Cornerstone Housing for Women, Shelter Movers Ottawa and Ottawa Anglican Day Programs.

This year, 21 brave Algonquin College employees took to the waters to compete for the first time in the Education Challenge Cup, alongside other teams whose members attend or work for educational institutions, administration, or associated parent advisory associations.

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