Historic Third Consecutive Victory for B.C. Chef at National Culinary Competition
In a remarkable display of culinary excellence, Vancouver chef Jaeyoung (Jay) Park has secured his place in Canadian culinary history by winning the 2026 Canadian Culinary Championship. This victory marks the third consecutive year that a chef representing British Columbia has claimed the top prize at this prestigious national competition.
Gold-Winning Dish Celebrates Chicken in All Its Forms
Chef Park, who serves as chef de cuisine at Vancouver's acclaimed Boulevard Kitchen and Oyster Bar, presented a technically sophisticated dish that fully embraced the versatility of chicken. His creation featured multiple components including skin, heart, and liver, transformed into elegant canapé-style presentations that impressed both the judging panel and over 500 guests at Ottawa's Rogers Centre.
The winning approach followed a pattern established by previous B.C. champions, focusing on intricate, multi-component presentations that showcase both technical skill and creative vision. This consistent strategy has proven remarkably successful for the province's culinary representatives in recent years.
Ottawa Makes Strong Showing on National Stage
While British Columbia claimed the top spot, Ottawa's culinary scene demonstrated its growing strength with a bronze medal finish. Chef Jason Sawision of Stofa Restaurant on Wellington Street West earned third place with an eclectic, complex dish that featured:
- Perfectly cooked scallops
- Chorizo shrimp toast nuggets
- Poblano pepper sauce
- Fresh mango salsa
Sawision earned his place at the national competition by defeating four other Ottawa chefs in a qualifying event last fall. His achievement continues Ottawa's strong tradition at the championship, which has seen local chefs reach the podium multiple times in recent years.
Ottawa's Culinary Legacy at the Championship
The nation's capital has established an impressive track record at the Canadian Culinary Championship over the years. Notable achievements include:
- Chef Briana Kim's gold medal victory in 2023, shortly before opening her highly anticipated restaurant Antheia
- Chef Yannick La Salle's 2019 win, who now serves as the Supreme Court of Canada's chef
- Chef Marc Lepine of Atelier, the only two-time winner in championship history with victories in 2012 and 2016
The competition, now in its 19th year, relocated from Kelowna, B.C. to Ottawa in 2020, providing the city with an important platform to showcase its evolving culinary landscape on the national stage.
Complete Podium Results and Notable Performances
The silver medal went to Toronto chef Jonathan Williams of the Park Hyatt Toronto, who presented a dish of beef short rib pastrami accompanied by what his menu description simply called "a very good carrot."
Among other notable competitors was Moncton chef Niguel De Leon of Atelier Tony, whose dish featured dry-aged duck, dumplings with preserved berries, and creative accompaniments including an edible feather made from duck skin. The Filipino-born chef, who has worked at California's renowned French Laundry, impressed with a cohesive and personal presentation that blended traditional techniques with whimsical creativity.
The championship continues to highlight the diversity and innovation present in Canada's culinary scene, with chefs from across the country bringing their unique perspectives and techniques to this prestigious competition.
