VICTORIA – Alberta’s Stephanie Schnepf has won the gold medal and Fulgence Charpentier Trophy at the 2009 Canada Jeunes Commis Rôtisseurs competition — held Oct. 23 in Victoria — beating nine competitors from across the country.
The nine finalists, all under the age of 27, were required to prepare a three-course meal for four using mystery ingredients concealed in a “black box.” Judges awarded marks based on presentation, originality and taste. Sylvester Dudek from the St. Charles Golf and Country Club placed second, while Michael Holman of the Toronto Park Hyatt Hotel came in third.
Schnepf, who now works at Olives Restaurant in Calgary, climbed the kitchen ranks from a young age after completing her culinary studies at SAIT College.
“I went from being an 18-year-old high-school girl who likes to cook for her family, to a professional cooking graduate with honours, to a journeyman apprentice, to a certified Red Seal who has travelled the world — all in four years,” she said. “This competition is just one more stepping stone in my career.”
Schnepf will go on to represent Canada at the 2010 Concours International des Jeunes Commis Rôtisseurs to be held in Finland next September.
