Upcoming Events and Opportunities

Header Image:

Two hands holding a bunch of fresh vegetables

Welcome! Food Matters Manitoba is a registered charity and home to the Manitoba Food Charter.

Cook-Off 2011

Congrats to "The Funguis” from Louis Riel Arts and Technology Centre and "The Buffalo Soldiers" from Stonewall Collegiate Institue on finishing first in their respective tiers! Below are the recipes from each team that competed. Click here to watch media coverage of the event from Global Winnipeg and Radio-Canada Manitoba.

A huge thank-you to our generous financial sponsors:

Tier 1: Culinary Arts

Three Cheese Smoked Goldeye Cannelloni by “The Funguis" from Louis Riel Arts and Technology Centre in Winnipeg

Manitoba Pickerel Shore Lunch by "The Brass Monkeys" from Sturgeon Heights Collegiate in Winnipeg

Manitoba Herb-crusted Lamb with Sautéed Butternut Squash and Wild Grain Pilaf by "Team Riever" from Kildonan-East Collegiate

Tri-Berry Bannock Pork by "The Spartans" from UCN Commercial Cooking Class in The Pas

Tier 2: Aspiring Chefs

Buffalo Chili served in Bothwell Jalapeno Bread Bowls by “The Buffalo Soldiers” from Stonewall Collegiate Institute

Prairie Pickerel and Chips by "The Carman Mixers" from Carman Collegiate in Carman

Orange Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry with Manitoba ‘Rice’ by "The Warren Wildcats" from Warren Collegiate

Photos courtsey of Chef Ben Kramer

On Saturday, February 5, high school students from across the province went head to head to determine Manitoba’s first Localvore Iron Chef Champion. Sturgeon Heights Collegiate opened its doors to spectators as student finalists gathered to see just whose cuisine reigned supreme. The competition was close but Louis Riel Arts and Technology Centre’s “The Funguis” with their Three Cheese Smoked Goldeye Cannelloni finished first overall in the Culinary Arts Tier, while “The Buffalo Soldiers” from Stonewall Collegiate Institute placed first in the Aspiring Chefs Tier with Buffalo Chili served in Bothwell Jalapeno Bread Bowls. Teams were given one hour to create their local cuisine while a full house of spectators watched the kitchen action up close on a live video screen.

Food Matters Manitoba launched the competition to encourage young people to make healthy food choices and learn new food skills while strengthening partnerships between local food producers, schools and local chefs. The recipes were created by the students; with bonus points awarded for the use of sustainably produced ingredients based on Local Food Plus (LFP) sustainability criteria. Organizers, participants, chef mentors, judges and spectators hope to see this culinary provincial championship as an annual Manitoba event.

The remaining results of the Culinary Arts Tier had “The Spartans” from the University College of the North Apprenticeship Course in The Pas finishing fourth, “Team Riever” from Kildonan-East Collegiate placing third and “The Brass Monkeys” from Sturgeon Heights Collegiate as the runners-up. The Aspiring Chefs Tier had “The Warren Wildcats” from Warren Collegiate in third and “The Carman Mixers” from Carman Collegiate finishing second. All the teams took home foodie related prizes from sponsors. The First Place teams will be presented at the Growing Local Conference on February 25 and 26 at the University of Winnipeg and “The Funguis” will integrate their winning recipe into the menu alongside Manitoba Iron Chef 2010 Champions, Diversity Foods Services.

There were over 25 recipes submitted and so it was a very tough decision for the Finalist selection committee! Thank-you to all of the teams who submitted a recipe for the competition’s very first year!