SASKATOON, SK — Competing against seven of the city’s culinary best, Radisson Hotel Saskatoon’s executive chef Scott Torgerson claimed first place at the Gold Medal Plates Culinary Competition in Saskatoon, it was announced last month. Torgerson’s win came less than 24 hours after returning home victorious from the Culinary Olympics in Germany.
“It is an honour to win a gold medal at home in Saskatoon,” said Torgerson. “I share this award with my incredible team at the Radisson Hotel Saskatoon and Aroma Resto Bar. It is because of their continuous hard work, dedication and support that allows us the ability to prepare and compete against some of the world’s best chefs.”
The gold medal win secures Torgerson a spot at the Canadian Culinary Championships, The Gold Medal Plates Finale, in Kelowna, B.C., Feb. 3-4, 2017. The win is one of many recent accolades for Torgerson. As a member of the 2016 Culinary Team Canada Olympic team, he helped win three gold and two silver medals in Erfurt, Germany, before arriving home to defend his 2015 second place finish at last year’s Gold Medal Plates Saskatoon.
“We are exceptionally proud of Chef Torgerson for his success,” says Steve Giblin, president & CEO of SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts. “We believe our chefs are some of the best in the world and these awards are well-deserved recognition of their continuous dedication to culinary excellence.”
Torgerson’s winning plate featured a black trumpet-crusted roast elk and Cactus Lake beef tenderloin with porcini and sunchoke foam, plated with broccoli puree, parsnip, beef tendon puff, pearl onion and micro cress. He paired the dish with the 2014 Inniskillin Discovery Series Zinfandel from Inniskillin, Okanagan, B.C.
Judged by a panel of eight, each dish was awarded points based on visual presentation, texture, technical achievement, taste, wine compatibility, and wow factor.
Founded in 2003, Gold Medal Plates Culinary Competition is an annual celebration of Canadian Excellence in cuisine, wine, the arts and athletic achievement. Every year, premier chefs across Canada compete for the gold, silver and bronze medal. Net proceeds from Gold Medal Plates are given to the Canadian Olympic Foundation which supports Olympic and Paralympic athletes and high performance programs. To date, the competition has raised over $11 million to support Canadian athletes.
Leave a Reply