The Calgary Stampede is putting Alberta's bold flavors and ingredients in the spotlight with a series of debut food competitions and events.
Taste of Stampede: A New Culinary Experience
Taste of Stampede will feature live cooking demonstrations, competitions, and cook-offs at the BMO Centre during the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. Food is a major part of the Stampede experience, said entertainment and festival experience manager Neil Christopher.
“What we've done is really to lean into the amazing culinary arts within Calgary and Alberta, and create some interesting and fascinating links between what we as consumers use and cook every day at home, and our agriculture and agri-food activities we support here at the Calgary Stampede,” Christopher said.
Daily Ingredient Highlights
Each day of the event will incorporate a new ingredient, ranging from beef and grain to bison.
Culinary Cup and Community Challenges
Alberta's top chefs will compete in the new Culinary Cup, vying for a $10,000 championship title over the 10 days of Stampede. Community challenges will also pit local groups against each other in culinary skill tests.
Special Ticketed Events
Two ticketed events will highlight Calgary's unique flavor profiles. On July 7, Canadian pastry chef Anna Olson will host a pastries-to-champagne experience. On July 9, Calgary mixologist Thom Hill will lead a molecular mixology class on “midway mixology flavor” and how to incorporate it into bars.
Youth Agri-Food Culinary Challenge
The top four finalists from the Youth Agri-Food culinary challenge will return on July 8 for a head-to-head battle. Forty Calgary high school students showcased their skills in the inaugural challenge on Sunday, part of the Stampede's efforts to connect youth with agriculture, food production, and western heritage through hands-on learning.
The two-day event was hosted by the Stampede in partnership with SAIT's School of Hospitality and Tourism. Students from Grades 10 to 12 participated, building culinary skills while learning about Alberta's agri-food system through team-based challenges and experimental learning methods. The program focuses on sustainability, creativity, and local food culture, offering participants the chance to learn from industry professionals and compete for $20,000 in cash and prizes, along with mentorship opportunities.
Inspiring Home Cooks and Youth
Christopher emphasized that these events help everyone learn more about what they eat before digging in. “Having Taste of Stampede as a venue not only encourages home cooks to think differently about how they can use ingredients, but also a celebration of the full-range culinary ecosystem within Calgary,” he said. “We've got both established and up-and-coming innovative chefs, but we want to inspire youth of Calgary and Alberta to explore what food and culinary arts can do for them.”
