The Culinary Federation of Manitoba held their annual Gala dinner April 24th. It is a significant evening as it coincides with the 50ths anniversary of the first Canadian Team Culinary Olympics Gold Medal from 1976 and a special tribute to Chef Nick Marchak, one of the team members who passed away this January.
The Culinary Federation Winnipeg Branch has experienced over 60% membership growth, leading the Culinary Federation in annual memberships growth with a resounding 152 members!
The reception started at 6pm with 4 schools' student and instructors reception stations. The dinner started at 7pm with Lifetime Members being piped in by Winnipeg Bagpiper, Tony Blair
The event was MC'd by Winnipeg chef Jesse Friesen, Executive Chef of Academy Hospitality, including Pizzeria Gusto, Gusto North, Merchant Kitchen, Yard Burger, among other notable Winnipeg restaurants.
The awards were announced throughout the event.
Three members of the Manitoba culinary community who have passed away this year were honoured: Rolland Lavalee who was influential in establishing the Red Seal Apprenticeship program in Manitoba; Leo Ledohowski, the founder of Canad Inns Hotels and employer of hundreds if not thousands of cooks and chefs over their 50 years; and Chef Nick Marchak, one of the original founders of the Canadian Culinary Federation in 1962 and the first Canadian chef to win gold at the IKA Culinary Olympics in Germany, 1976, coincidentally also the 50th anniversary of this Canadian heritage and culinary historical accomplishment.
