This past Spring, the PMA Canada wines team partnered with The Chef Cartel to be their official wine sponsor for Season 1 of their Chef Battle Competition. The Chef Cartel is a coalition of like-minded individuals whose primary purpose is to showcase and promote chefs across the world.
Here’s a quick breakdown of how each event took place. The first 4 battles and the semi-finals took place at the Luxe Appliance Studio in Toronto, with the final battle taking place at The Food Dudes production kitchen. During each battle, two local Toronto chefs waged war against one another to create both one produce dish and one protein dish within the constraints of a one hour time limit. The twist? The chef’s dishes must feature a surprise mystery ingredient.
All battles were hosted by television host and food writer Joey Salmingo. The final dishes were judged by a panel of celebrity guests and local food media personalities. Doors opened at 6pm with wine sampling taking place. Each battle would feature one out of a vast selection of outstanding PMA wines such as Nugan Estate Third Generation Chardonnay and Bodega Norton Barrel Select Malbec . This wine was available for all guests that attended to sample in addition to being served at the bar for those wanting a full glass, and served at the judges table to be paired with the dishes being created.
Upon completion of the Chef Battle, the winner is crowned and guests were free to stay, congratulate and socialize. There were nearly two hundred guests welcomed at each event with a whopping three hundred guests attending the finals.
Season two of the Chef Cartel’s Chef Battle Competition is slated to begin this October. PMA Canada is hoping to participate again for the second season.