From a media release:
VANCOUVER’S DALE MACKAY DECLARED CANADA’S TOP CHEF
- Beats Out Chefs Rossi and DeSousa in the Final Battle of The Season
- Top Rated Series in Food Network Canada’s History
Vancouver based Chef Dale MacKay is the inaugural winner of Top Chef Canada, as revealed in the fierce and emotional season finale of Top Chef Canada that aired tonight on Food Network Canada. Along with the Top Chef title, Dale will receive the grand prize of $100,000 and a GE Monogram Kitchen worth $30,000.
In the final episode, Chef MacKay took on fellow finalists Toronto’s Chef Rob Rossi (formerly Mercatto) and Calgary’s Chef Connie DeSousa (CHARCUT). Chef DeSousa started out strong, winning the Quickfire Challenge, but it was Chef MacKay’s impressive three-course meal prepared for guest judges David Hawksworth, Chef/Owner of Vancouver’s Hawksworth; John Peller, Owner of Peller Estates; and Jason Parsons, Executive Chef at Peller Estates that earned him the title of Canada’s first Top Chef.
Before opening ensemble in May 2011, Chef MacKay had been a protégé to world renowned Chef Gordon Ramsay at his restaurants in Tokyo, New York, and London. More recently, he was Executive Chef at Lumière, Vancouver’s Five Diamond, Four Star, Relais Gourmand establishment, managed by celebrated New York Chef Daniel Boulud’s Dinex Group. As Executive Chef/Proprietor of ensemble, Chef MacKay aims to give Vancouverites an entirely new and exciting dining concept, combining classic French techniques with modern influences and flavour profiles from around the world.
Viewers who missed the season finale of Top Chef Canada can tune in to see it again on Saturday, July 9th at 7pm ET/PT on Food Network Canada or watch it online starting tomorrow at topchefcanada.ca More information about the eagerly anticipated second season of Top Chef Canada, set to air on Food Network Canada in 2012, will be revealed in the coming months.
I really did notike this program. I tuned in several times and it really turned me off with the quibbling and pettines. Mark McEwen is a very good chef, but if he ever cracked a smile it would have been a miracle. Who is the blonde person with him, does she have culinary experience? I really liked the chefs they had for judging – these are some of Canada’s best. Will I watch another one – I would have to think about that one. I think the best chef won and I congratulate him.