Each chef received a bottle of the mystery wine that will guide their creations in the first of three culinary challenges: the Mystery Wine Pairing. Presented “sans” label, the wine is the same vintage for all competitors, who must create a dish for 340 attendees. In addition to being judged on culinary skill, the challenge tests the chefs’ ability to work within a very lean budget, a meagre $700 each. Raising the stakes further, chefs must shop in person for their ingredients at stores throughout the Ottawa–Gatineau region, with only $150 allocated for transportation.
Beyond celebrating Canadian cuisine, Leckie emphasized that the Canadian Culinary Championships is also “the largest exposition of Canadian wine.” The weekend-long competition will showcase 22 Canadian wineries, many of which are participating at the event. National wine coordinator David Lawrason enthusiastically noted that the Championships have “helped expose the great quality of the continuing escalation of the quality of Canadian wine.” In tandem with the culinary competition, separate wine competitions have been held across the country, culminating on Saturday night at the Grand Finale at the Rogers Centre Ottawa, where Canada’s Wine of the Year will also be crowned.
ABOVE: A sample of the tasting plate creations on offer at the Winners Circle VIP Reception from e18teen and MY Catering.
The public will have the opportunity to taste the chefs’ creations during the Mystery Wine Pairing on Friday evening at the Rogers Centre, and to attend the Black Box competition on Saturday morning at La Cité. In this high-pressure challenge, the ten chefs are presented with a box of ingredients and given just one hour to create a dish. Each chef may choose one sous-chef and is also assigned three culinary students from La Cité. Adding to a weekend that more closely resembles a culinary triathlon are the ongoing preparations for Saturday night’s 500-plate Grand Finale. Chef Jason Sawision told Ottawa Life that the demanding schedule leaves little time for sleep, and even less time to feel nervous, despite cameras capturing every move.
The Grand Finale is a true celebration of Canadian culture, blending food and wine with live performances by Canadian musical guests, including Spirit of the West frontman Geoffrey Kelly, along with legendary artists Barney Bentall, Matthew Harder, and Luke Doucet. The annual Canadian Culinary Championships also gives back, supporting Canadian youth through equitable access to music education, sports opportunities, and healthy food by benefitting MusiCounts, Spirit North, ONFE, and Nutrition Blocs.
We wish all the contestants a wonderful experience at the 2026 Canadian Culinary Championships, and may the best chef win . . . even though we’re secretly cheering for our hometown contender, Chef Jason Sawision.
For more information on the Canadian Culinary Championships, visit Canada’s Great Kitchen Party – A Celebration of Canadian Excellence.
HEADER IMAGE (FROM LEFT TO RIGHT): The chefs competing at the 2026 Canadian Culinary Championships, each holding their mystery wine, are Lacey Coffin (St. John’s), Niguel De Leon (Moncton), Isaël Gadoua (Montreal), Jason Sawison (Ottawa), Jonathan Williams (Toronto), Emily Butcher (Winnipeg), Kevin Monych (Saskatoon), Dean Fast (Calgary), Tyson Wright (Edmonton), and Jaeyoung (Jay) Park (Vancouver).
