Good as gold: Hospitality Services takes top honours at major cooking competition
Tasting victory: From left to right, McMaster chefs John Barreda, Paul Hoag, Leigh Laidlaw and Larry Marsh celebrate in the kitchen at Centro @ Commons. 'This is a major win for the entire Hospitality Services department,' said Hoag.
They came, they sautéed, they conquered.
McMaster chefs recently won gold in two out of three categories at the Canadian College and University Food Service Association’s “Uncorking Creativity” competition in Niagara Falls, earning the top prize in the Technical Composition and Presentation of the Menu and Best Dessert categories.
The Battle of Lundy’s Lane (also commonly referred to as the Battle of Niagara Falls) served as inspiration for the team’s overall submission, which included locally sourced ingredients and a nod to regional history and culture.
“I am so exceptionally proud of the team for this accomplishment,” said Bill McFadden, director, Hospitality Services. “The presentation drew from the rustic nature and rawness of the time period. I believe the culinary interpretation, whimsically updated for 2014, is truly inspired.”
Prior to the competition, the team spent two months sourcing local ingredients, experimenting with different pairings and crafting the perfect menu.
McMaster’s gold medal winning entree.
The winning entree included: Dover perch en croute with roasted tomato confit, caper and celeriac remoulade; paired with chicken ballontine with baby vegetable salad tossed in verjus vinaigrette, liver parfait and concord foam.
For dessert, the team served up a delectably sweet spruce-infused chocolate mousse tian, Niagara hickory nut biscuit, cocoa nib nougatine, foraged berries and honey mead.
Adding some extra flavour to their presentation, the McMaster team also used live actors dressed in British military redcoats and other props from the early 19th century to help create the perfect ambience.
The competition was judged by Niagara-based celebrity chefs Anna and Michael Olson, as well as Adam Cowan, corporate executive chef at Nestlé Professional Canada.
“This is a major victory for the entire Hospitality Services department,” added head chef Paul Hoag, who earned gold alongside John Barreda, Leigh Laidlaw and Larry Marsh.
“It was a team effort from the start, and this is a great achievement for all of us in the department. We couldn’t have done it without their guidance and inspiration.”
McMaster bested top chefs from The University of Guelph and Western University in both of their gold medal-winning categories.
Below, Hospitality Services staff celebrate the team’s victory at Centro @ Commons:
