Canada's top chefs coming to Nanaimo March 30-31

Get your taste buds ready.

Culinary Team Canada is coming to The Culinary Institute of Vancouver Island at Malaspina University-College for a pre-Olympic practice.

The team will practice their cold show items on Sunday, March 30 and on Monday, March 31, they’ll cook up their mouth-watering menu that will be served at the Culinary Olympic Pavilion in Germany this fall.

“This is a unique opportunity for locals who love great food to sample a dinner prepared by Olympic chefs,” said Debbie Shore, coordinator of Malaspina’s CulinaryInstitute of Vancouver Island. “We’re delighted that Team Canada is using our state-of-the-art kitchen facility for one of their practise runs.”

The Olympic menu includes braised sable fish, lobster scented ravioli, balsamic caviar, butter poached lobster sphere, tomato confit, English peas, braised celeriac, truffle larded Canadian beef tenderloin, heart, flank and sweetbread terrine, apple and hazelnut sauté, cipollini onion, leek press, natural jus, and the 2008 Culinary Olympic dessert.

Team Canada’s cold food items will be displayed for guests to view at the Monday night fundraising dinner.

Team Canada’s visit to Nanaimo has captured the attention of Vancouver Island culinary arts teachers. Over 170 high school students will visit Malaspina's Nanaimo campus on March 31 to meet Team Canada, hear the top chefs speak about their experiences and see some of their competition pieces. “This is a wonderful opportunity for students to see how far you can take your career in the Culinary Arts industry,” added Shore.

Seating for the March 31 Team Canada dinner is limited to 100 people and tickets ($65 per person including wine pairing)  are expected to sell quickly.The dinner begins at 6:30 pm in the Royal Arbutus Room (Building 300) at Malaspina University-College, 900 Fifth Street, Nanaimo. To book your seat, call Josephine at 740-6289.

Meanwhile, Malaspina Culinary Artsdepartment is accepting applications for both the certificate and diploma programs. For more information, check the website at  viu.ca/culinary.