The highly anticipated 19th annual BCPMA Healthy Chef Competition and Dinner event took place last night at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver and it was an incredible culinary experience. I used to work at the Hyatt in banquets during my university days. It was a lot of fun being back at the Hyatt as a guest. Their service has always been and still is outstanding.
The ten restaurants that competed put out some fabulous entrees and desserts. I tried to sample and photograph as many of them as possible. Of course, it wasn’t possible to try all of them or even photograph all of them, but I made a valiant effort to do so. Everything I tasted was delicious and beautifully plated. I personally want to thank BC Produce Marketing Association and the BC Chef’s Association for hosting such a splendid event.
Congratulations to the Wild Fig Restaurant for wining best entree. Best dessert was awarded to Vancouver Community College and best table showcase went to the American Grille.
All of the competing restaurants did an amazing job. All of the dishes were beautiful, flavourful and healthy. The chefs were very creative in their use of fresh local ingredients.
I really liked the concept of the Delta Hotel’s dessert. They call it “Kid had a rough day” and when you see the photo below, you’ll understand why.
It’s a charred corn and coconut ice cream with carrot beet yogurt mousse, cocoa soil, coconut tofu pebbles and puffed wild rice. As you can see the ice cream cone fell in the dirt. It’s a super clever concept. I love how the puffed rice looks like worms! It’s whimsical and fun and I love that about cooking and plating. It’s too much fun!
It is great to see more and more fruits and vegetables at the BCPMA Healthy Chef Competition! Great photos to the plates especially since the lighting in hotel ballrooms can be so wickedly bad!