THE CANADIAN CULINARY CHAMPIONSHIPS

West End Chefs In The Running

Two West End chefs are among the nine contenders taking part in the prestigious Canadian Culinary Championship (CCC) semi-finals on October 18, each hoping to represent Vancouver in the CCC finals being held in Ottawa next February, hosted by Canada’s Great Kitchen Party.

The two West End chefs in the running are:

Chef Daniel McGee of Maxine’s Cafe & Bar.

Daniel McGee of Maxine’s Cafe & Bar (1325 Burrard St.). Chef McGee, born and raised on Vancouver’s North Shore, has developed a deep and abiding amour for the delicate nuances of French cooking since embarking on his culinary career more than 20 years ago.

That career landed him in the kitchen of Au Comptoir, where his West Coast inspired takes on classic French bistro fare earned rave reviews and awards. He’s also worked at Bacchus at the Wedgewood Hotel where he was their first chef de partie, as well as at Pied-a-Terre, and PiDGiN. He joined Wentworth Hospitality Group as their chef de cuisine in 2022. Their restaurants include Maxine’s, Homer St. Cafe and Bar and Tableau Bistro.

Chef Kyle Lee of CinCin Restaurant + Bar.

Kyle Lee of CinCin Ristorante + Bar (1154 Robson). Chef Lee began his culinary education at le Cordon Bleu School, mastering the French techniques that provided the foundation for his skills.

Lee has worked in several well-known Vancouver restaurants, including Hawksworth, Bao Bei, and Elisa. At Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar he was encouraged by Chef Roger Ma to embark on a culinary journey that took him to New York, Toronto, and Barcelona where he immersed himself in the world of Catalan cuisine at the celebrated Vento Restaurant.

The competition will take place on the field level of BC Place Stadium and will include a VIP reception, live music by Juno Award-winning performers, and a live fundraising auction. Guests will enjoy sampling each competing chef’s dishes, along with beverage pairings showcasing some of the finest Canadian wines, craft beers, and spirits.

Ticket sales and the auction will support charities that ensure Canadian youth have equitable access to healthy food, music education, and sports opportunities. This year’s charitable partners are MusiCounts, SpiritNorth, and Vancouver-based Fresh Roots.

Tickets to the event start at $450 and can be purchased here.