Our Judges

 

David Hawksworth

Chef & Owner, Hawksworth Restaurant Group

Chef David Hawksworth founded the Hawksworth Young Chef Scholarship in 2012 following the success of his first eponymous restaurant in May 2011, named Maclean’s Restaurant of the Year during its first year of operation. Hawksworth’s career continued to take off when he became the culinary partner to Air Canada; his signature dishes are now exclusively featured on flights in International Business Class and in Maple Leaf Lounges. In Spring 2016 Hawksworth opened Nightingale in Vancouver’s Coal Harbour; offering a social approach and more casual dining concept. Hawksworth Restaurant Group now includes two Bel Café locations and a robust Catering division. Hawksworth will publish his first cookbook in Spring 2020 and plans to open a new concept restaurant at Vancouver International Airport in 2021.

Chris Stewart

Executive Chef, Aritzia

New Brunswick born Chef Chris Stewart honed his skills through stages at Auberge du Pommier, Thomas Keller’s French Laundry and Bouchon Bistro, before returning to Canada as Chef de Cuisine at Rimrock Resort Hotel’s Five Diamond Eden Restaurant in Banff. In 2009, Stewart began his tenure with Heston Blumenthal at the renowned three Michelin starred Fat Duck in Bray, England. In 2016, Stewart followed his love of the ocean and seasonal ingredients to Vancouver, where he took the position of Chef de Cuisine at Hawksworth Restaurant, after previously spending five years in the Okanagan as the Executive Chef at Mission Hill Family Estate. Stewart has recently embarked on a new venture as Executive Chef for the Aritzia Group, where he is working on building a new bistro.

2020 Regional Judges

Calgary

Toronto

Montreal

Halifax

Vancouver

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