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Prince Edward Island International Shellfish Festival

September 14-17, 2023

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Junior Chef Challenge

The Junior Chef Challenge is a live cooking challenge at the Prince Edward Island International Shellfish Festival. This exciting competition will be hosted by celebrity Chef Ned Bell. The winning junior chef will receive $1,000. Six Junior Chefs will prepare a shellfish dish using PEI shellfish in front of a live audience and a panel of three qualified judges.

Closed for New Applicants – Competitors will be Announced Soon!

What we look for in selecting competitors

  • Must be between 15 and 18 years of age
  • Must love cooking and be comfortable cooking with shellfish
  • Must be outgoing and confident
  • Must be comfortable cooking in front of a live audience

About the Challenge

  • There will be six competitors chosen through an application process. The six Junior Chefs must prepare one shellfish dish. The recipe must include a minimum of one core PEI Shellfish product. Core PEI Shellfish products include: Lobster, Mussels, Oysters and Clams (Soft Shell, Hard Shell, and Bar Clams)
  • The competition takes place on the Kitchen Stadium Stage in the Main Festival Tent at the Prince Edward Island International Shellfish Festival
  • The competition has one heat which will be held Sunday, September 18, 2022.

Competition Preparation and Requirements

  • Each competitor will come prepared with ingredients of their choice. Competitors will be reimbursed for their ingredients purchased.
  • Shellfish will be provided at the competition by the Festival.
  • All ingredients must be brought in their original form – with nothing precut or pre-prepared at home
  • Each junior chef will have an award-winning chef who will act as their Sous Chef and assist with their cooking needs throughout the duration of the competition
  • Competitors will be given 45 minutes to prepare one shellfish dish which includes PEI Shellfish
  • Chef work stations consist of 2 work tables and 2 induction burners. The following equipment will be provided: food processors, blenders, stand mixers, and hand mixers. Please be aware that there is no access to ovens.
  • All additional cooking equipment must be brought by the competitor including knives, pots/pans, cutting boards, spoons, forks, etc.
  • Competitors must bring four (4) presentation plates for serving to the competition judges
  • Competitors are required to prepare 4 servings: 3 to official judges and 1 presentation plate
  • Judging criteria will be based on the following:
    • Overall Taste – 25 points
    • PEI Shellfish Usage – 5 points
    • Presentation – 10 points
    • Creativity / Originality – 5 Points
  • A menu must be submitted to Connor MacDonald by no later than August 30 – each menu will be available for judges during the competition.
Junior Chef Challenge Competitor
Junior Chef Challenge Winner
Junior Chef Challenge Competition
Junior Chef Challenge Competition
Junior Chef Challenge Winning Plate

Grand Prize

Each Junior Chef will be competing for the grand prize of $1,000. Each Junior Chef will receive free admission to Sunday, September 18, 2022 for themselves and three guests.

Please contact Connor MacDonald with any questions about the competition.
p: 902-213-3722
connor@versatilegroup.ca

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