Jason Sawision is not only a chef and restaurant owner—if all goes well, he may soon be crowned Canada’s next Top Chef. The owner of Stofa Restaurant on Wellington West will represent the Ottawa region at the 2026 Canadian Culinary Championships on January 30 and 31, competing against the country’s top chefs on the national stage.
While this marks Sawision’s first appearance at the national finals as a head chef, he is no stranger to competition. He previously participated three times as a sous-chef, but this year he steps into the spotlight alongside nine other gold medal-winning chefs from across the country, from Vancouver to St. John’s, with stops in Saskatoon, Winnipeg, and even Moncton. It’s a true celebration of Canadian cuisine and culinary talent.
As the sole Ottawa contestant, Sawision says there’s no home-field advantage. “On Thursday, we’re all given the same list of stores to shop from, and we stay at the same hotel; there’s no sleeping in my own bed”, he explains. “We even take the same transportation around town.”
The Championships feature three public-facing events, giving attendees the chance to taste the chefs’ creations. The competition kicks off Friday, January 30, with the Mystery Wine Pairing challenge. Chefs will be tasked with crafting a dish using local ingredients—within a tight timeframe and modest budget—that best complements a yet-to-be-revealed vintage.
After shopping for ingredients for the Mystery Wine Pairing, chefs begin prepping for the demanding weekend ahead, including the 500-plate Grand Finale on Saturday night at the Rogers Centre. But first, Saturday morning brings the Black Box Challenge at La Cité’s Culinary School. Each chef will receive a box containing seven diverse Canadian ingredients and must create and plate two exceptional dishes for evaluation by the judges.
For audiences, Saturday morning’s Black Box Challenge will feel familiar to fans of Iron Chef, while Friday night’s Mystery Wine Pairing has more of a cocktail-party atmosphere. Guests will have the opportunity to sample dishes throughout the evening, along with the accompanying beer, wine, and spirits.
Despite the competitive stakes, Sawision describes the Championships as surprisingly collegial. “I enjoy chatting with and getting to know the other chefs during breaks,” he says—though he’s quick to note that downtime is scarce.
“There’s just so much to do,” Sawision explains. Each chef is allowed one sous-chef and is supported by up to three culinary students. “It’s all hands on deck,” he adds, noting that the packed schedule leaves little time to feel nervous—even with cameras capturing every move. Friday night wraps up late, followed by an early start Saturday morning and the Grand Finale that evening.
The Grand Finale follows a format familiar to attendees of culinary charity events: chefs host dedicated tables where guests can sample dishes and chat with them directly. The key difference is that by the end of the night, one chef—the competitor with the highest overall score from the national judging panel—will be crowned champion.
In addition to shining a spotlight on Canada’s top chefs, the Grand Finale will pair gastronomy with the great Canadian musical talent of Spirit of the West frontman, Geoffrey Kelly, plus the legendary Barney Bentall, Matthew Harder, and Luke Doucet.
Giving back is also central to the Canadian Culinary Championships. Event organizer Canada’s Great Kitchen Party is donating a portion of proceeds to national charities MusiCounts and Spirit North, as well as Ottawa Network For Education and Nutrition Blocs. To date, the organization has raised more than $19 million to support equitable access to sport, music education, and food security for young people across Canada.
While Ottawa will be cheering for Chef Jason Sawision to take home the title, in true Canadian fashion, he remains characteristically humble. Beyond personal recognition for himself or Stofa, he says he’s grateful for “the light this will shine on the Canadian culinary scene.”
There are still tickets available for this incredible event, with prices starting at $95 plus tax. Tickets and full details for each of the individual events can be found on Canada’s Great Kitchen Party website at CDN. Culinary Championship – Canada’s Great Kitchen Party
Images: Courtesy CCC
