Six pastry chefs vying for Team Canada spot

May 25, 2009, TORONTO – Six Canadian pastry chefs are determined to put Canada on the world map as an international dessert destination. Vying for a place on Pastry Team Canada at the 2011 World Pastry Cup in Lyon, France, they must succeed at the Pastry Chef of the Year competition this week.

At the Canadian Culinary Federation's Taste of the Okanagan Conference on May 30 in Kelowna, B.C., the Pastry Chef of the Year skill and proficiency exhibition will propel one of these emerging pastry chefs to demonstrate Canadian culinary excellence on the world stage at the internationally renowned 2011 World Pastry Cup competition.

The six competitors are Mary-Jane Feeke of Selkirk, Man., Jean-Luc Piquemal of Quebec City, Ken Harper of Nanaimo, BC, Guy Vaneois of Banff, Alta., Leanne Bentley of Kelowna, B.C., and Domenico Di Clemente of North Vancouver, B.C.

Van Houtte, a roaster and distributor of gourmet coffees, is passionate about championing Canadian culinary arts through encouraging and fostering the development of the next generation of great Canadian chefs. As the lead sponsor of the Pastry Chef of the Year competition, Van Houtte's commitment to the Canadian culinary arts industry will bolster Canada's presence among more than 20 nations at the 2011 World Pastry Cup.

"The Pastry Chef of the Year competition is an opportunity to show our strong commitment to growing and enhancing excellence in Canadian culinary arts," says Van Houtte president Gerard Geoffrion. "Our partnership with the Canadian Culinary Federation presents unlimited potential and promise in showcasing leading edge Canadian culinary talent in the international arena."