A Road to Culinary Gold event at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre on Nov. 1 will help fund Team Canada’s training after the squad won silver at Bocuse d’Or Americas in New Orleans.
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A Vancouver fundraising event next month is set to help support Team Canada’s bid for the Bocuse d’Or final in Lyon.
Road to Culinary Gold takes over the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre on Sunday, Nov. 1, with the evening billed as a walk-around food hall featuring chef-hosted tasting stations and other activities. The event is scheduled to run with an early meet-and-greet and culinary-student station from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., followed by a main gala food hall from 6:30 to 11 p.m. at the venue’s Grande Ballroom, 1000 Burrard St., Vancouver.
The Vancouver event is connected to chef Keith Pears, who helped Team Canada earn silver at the Bocuse d’Or Americas selection in New Orleans on July 26. That result secured the team’s place in the January 2027 final in Lyon.
The regional qualifier required teams to prepare intricate platters and plates within a strict 5.5-hour window using ingredients including halibut, shrimp, sweet corn and beef. Pears’ commis, Joseph Mongillo, is also recognized as part of the silver-winning team at Bocuse d’Or Americas.
Organizers say the fundraising format will include 12 chef-hosted tasting stations, along with craft beer, cider and cocktail bars. The announced chef lineup includes Jasper Cruickshank of L’Abattoir, Scott Jaeger, Clement Chan (co-founder of Le Tigre and Torafuku and now executive chef at The Westin Wall Centre, Vancouver Airport), and host hotel staff including executive chef Starri Chow and executive pastry chef Fumiko Moreton. The evening will also feature a live chocolate demonstration by Swiss-trained chocolatier Christophe Bonzon of Chez Christophe, along with a Swiss-trained chocolatier Thomas Haas.
Visiting chefs announced for the event include Roary MacPherson of the Culinary Collective in Newfoundland and Jesse Friesen, known for Pizzeria Gusto and The Merchant Kitchen in Winnipeg. Glowbal Restaurant Group’s Saeko Choi is also listed as part of the lineup.
Guests will also be able to take part in the Tinhorn Creek Vineyards Wine Pairing Challenge, scoring small plates and their wine pairings to choose the evening’s fan favourite. A live auction and 50/50 draw will run alongside the tastings, with proceeds described as going directly toward Team Canada’s training, specialty kitchen gear and travel expenses for France.
Tickets are listed at $185 for the early meet-and-greet reception and gala and $155 for the main gala, plus taxes and fees. The Sheraton is also advertising an event rate of $159 per night plus taxes for Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, subject to availability and terms.
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