Learners support professional chefs at 2025 Canadian Culinary Championships

The Canadian Culinary Championship (CCC) is an annual national event that took place from Jan. 31 to Feb. 1 at the Rogers Centre in Ottawa. The winning chefs from 10 different regional qualifiers are gathered to compete in three challenging and entertaining competitions: Mystery Wine, Black Box and the Grand Finale. To be crowned the top chef in Canada at the CCC is a career changer. The competition has yielded three previous winners from Ottawa. 

Learners take direction from Ottawa competitor chef Lizardo Becerra of Raphaël Peruvian Cuisine.

The competition features 50 culinary learners from Algonquin College. For many, involvement at this level of competition is a once-in-a-career opportunity. Each year, buzz about this event grows, yielding double the interest than there are spaces to participate.

Scott Foeller, Culinary Arts instructor, selects learners based on attributes such as attitude, teamwork, reliability, punctuality and level of skill demonstrated in previous classes or faculty recommendations.

Learners practice plating presentation with guidance from professional chefs.

Learners practice plating presentation with guidance from professional chefs.

Cory Haskins, Dean, School of Business and Hospitality, an Ottawa member of the CCC judges’ panel, further articulated the importance of this partnership. “I am so pleased to continue our association with the Canadian Culinary Championship,” he said. “The experience that our students gain from working alongside the best chefs in Canada is incomparable. The pace is frenetic and crazy, but great fun and an exceptional learning experience.” 

Examples of some of the dishes served at the Mystery Wine event on Friday, Jan. 31.

An additional real-world learning opportunity from the event was presented to AC’s Broadcasting – Television and Streaming Video students, coordinated by professor Michael Bennett. Learners in the program arrived at the Rogers Centre ready to film and photograph the culinary students, putting together a short video that was played at the competition.

“Events like this are a fantastic opportunity for our students to showcase their skills and build their portfolios and resumes, while also exposing them to external clients’ expectations,” said Bennett.

The key takeaway from learners’ participation in the event is the importance of community and organizational partnerships with academic programs where it aligns. These opportunities leverage skill-building, real-world experience and networking. In return, the client, the Canadian Culinary Championships, is provided with service to fill a gap in their event. Learners are given an opportunity to take risks and show off their skills, which helps build their confidence as they navigate their careers.  

To learn more about the competition and see this year’s winners, visit the  Canadian Culinary Championships website.