Food & Living

Edmonton Chefs Compete in National Culinary Championship

Two of the city’s top chefs are representing Alberta in a high-stakes cook-off that will determine Canada’s best culinary talent of the year.

By By Sophie Grant • 2025-07-25

Two of Edmonton’s top chefs are heading to Kelowna, British Columbia, this month to represent Alberta in the prestigious Canadian Culinary Championship. The annual event brings together the country’s best culinary talent to compete in a series of high-pressure challenges.

Chef Andrea Lopez of The Willow Table and Chef Marcus Bellamy of Urban Hearth were selected after winning top honours at the Gold Medal Plates regional competition earlier this year. Both chefs say they are eager to showcase Alberta’s culinary diversity on the national stage.

The championship spans three days and includes events such as a mystery wine pairing, a black box challenge, and a grand finale where competitors present their signature dish to a panel of judges. Points are awarded for taste, presentation, creativity, and the ability to adapt under pressure.

Lopez plans to draw on her Colombian heritage for inspiration, incorporating bold flavours and seasonal Alberta ingredients. “I want every bite to tell a story about who I am and where I come from,” she said. Bellamy, meanwhile, is crafting a menu that blends French technique with prairie-sourced meats and vegetables.

Both chefs credit Edmonton’s supportive food scene for helping them reach this level of competition. “There’s a camaraderie here that pushes us all to be better,” Bellamy noted. “We share ideas, we taste each other’s food, and we celebrate each other’s successes.”

The Canadian Culinary Championship is known for its intense atmosphere and unpredictable twists, with past challenges including cooking with limited equipment and sourcing ingredients on short notice. Winners receive national recognition and opportunities to collaborate with top chefs across Canada.

Local fans can follow the competition through social media updates and live coverage from food journalists on site. Several Edmonton restaurants are planning viewing parties to cheer on their hometown representatives.

The chefs say that regardless of the outcome, they hope to inspire young cooks in Alberta to pursue their culinary ambitions. “This is proof that with passion, dedication, and a little creativity, you can go a long way,” Lopez said.