TORONTO — Mark Aleks, chef at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in Florida, claimed the top spot in the Agricultural Winter Fair’s International Chef Challenge on Nov. 8.
“All of the chefs demonstrated a tremendous amount of talent and passion under tight time constraints,” said Charlie Johnstone, CEO, The Royal. “The competition entertained a big audience and put a spotlight on the great fresh foods produced by Ontario farmers.”
Aleks’ winning main course included fennel and coriander-crusted duck served with parsnip silk and a cranberry walnut maple syrup streusel. It also featured pancetta honeycrisp apple with heirloom tomato and goose fat-sautéed Brussels sprouts with a fig and port wine vinaigrette.
Second place went to Eddie Attwell, chef at Ardtara Country House in Upperlands, Northern Ireland, followed by Joshua Dyer, chef de cuisine at Epic Restaurant at Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York Hotel.
