TOM COCHRANE AND VICTORIA’S TOP CHEFS TO
IGNITE CANADA’S GREAT KITCHEN PARTY
Canada’s Great Kitchen Party is proud to unveil Tom Cochrane as the musical headliner, Adam Kreek, Olympic gold medalist, as the emcee, and the names of the chefs selected to compete in the Victoria regional qualifier of the Canadian Culinary Championship All Star Invitational. This prestigious event is being held on September 29, 2026, at the renowned Oak Bay Beach Hotel.
For twenty years, Canada’s Great Kitchen Party, which began as Gold Medal Plates, has celebrated the very best of Canadian culture through food, music, and community impact. Now, in its landmark anniversary season, the organization is introducing its most ambitious culinary competition ever.
10 Cities • 20 All-Star chefs • East vs West •
One city to be crowned the Canadian Culinary Champions
From St. John’s to Victoria, Canada’s most accomplished chefs will gather in ten cities across the country before advancing to the Canadian Culinary Championship in Ottawa in January 2027.
For the first time in championship history, two executive chefs will represent each city, and each city team will be members of Team East & Team West in a coast-to-coast battle for culinary supremacy.
Milton Rebello – LIV Café & Bistro – A Canadian Culinary Championship 2013 Bronze Medalist, and one of British Columbia’s most respected culinary leaders, Milton Rebello has been selected as the city’s 2026 Chef of Distinction. He will be one of the two chefs representing Victoria at the national finale.
Five other chefs, whose creativity, craftsmanship, and leadership continue to shape one of Canada’s most dynamic food destinations, will vie for the coveted second position on the Victoria team.
THE ALL-STAR COMPETITORS IN VICTORIA
Sam Harris – Cafe Brio, Corbin Mathany – Ugly Duckling, Castro Boateng – House of Boateng, Israel Alvarez – MAiiZ Nixtamal Gastroteca, – Paul Moran Sixty Forty
These chefs represent the extraordinary depth of talent that has helped establish Victoria as one of Canada’s premier culinary destinations.
THE ENTERTAINMENT – Guests attending the event will enjoy signature dishes from each competing chef, premium Canadian wines and a special live performance by Canadian music icon Tom Cochrane and will witness the high-stakes culinary battle that will determine which chef joins Chef Rebello in representing Victoria at the national championship.
“This is such a fantastic lineup of chefs alongside the great Tom Cochrane!” says Stephen Leckie, CEO. “We are thrilled to be back in Victoria at the prestigious Oak Bay Beach Resort to celebrate our 20th anniversary in grand style.”
THE MISSION – Canada’s Great Kitchen Party, while elevating and celebrating Canadian excellence, continues its mission to support Canadian youth. Since its inception, the organization has helped generate nearly $20 million to support charitable causes in Canada.
Tickets for this extraordinary evening of fine food, premium wines, and world-class entertainment are now available by contacting Aidan at (250) 882-9691 or victoria@nullgreatkitchenparty.com or by
visiting greatkitchenparty.com.
ABOUT CANADA’S GREAT KITCHEN PARTY and the CANADIAN CULINARY CHAMPIONSHIP
Canada’s Great Kitchen Party is dedicated to elevating and celebrating excellence in Canadian culture. Staged in ten cities across the country, each event is a regional culinary competition which qualifies the winning chefs to move on to compete at the Canadian Culinary Championship. Chefs, musicians, and business leaders all come together for a spectacular experience with a mission: to ensure Canadian youth have equitable access to music education – supporting MusiCounts. Funds raised stay in the community. KP is also the largest exposition of Canadian wines, featuring over 200 wineries, local breweries, and spirit companies showcased at the events. Info: greatkitchenparty.com.
Link here for a video summary of last year’s competition