On May 29. 30, 31 and June 1, 2009 17 chefs traveled to Ottawa from all over Canada and one from the US to participate in a fun-filled weekend with workshops, shopping trips, food and a day at the Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School. This weekend was also to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Canadian Personal Chef Association.
The Ottawa Chapter worked well together to put this weekend in motion.
Here is the gist of what took place that weekend.
The backdrop for this year's retreat was the 4-Points Sheraton in Gatineau, QC.
Friday May 29, 2009
Welcome Reception - all of the chapter members made some fabulous food and had a blind food tasting contest, a la Hell's Kitchen. There was no clear winner as all contestants had a very good palate.
Saturday May 30, 2009
Workshops - We had 5 different speakers throughout the day who shared their knowledge and gave our attendees some great information to take away. We were joined Louis Charest, the Executive Chef for the Residence of the Governor General of Canada as well as Ivan Hale, the President of the West Quebec Farmer's Association.
We were also joined by the President of the Canadian Personal Chef Association - Mia Andrews who addressed the group of chefs and spoke about the beginning of the Association to what it is today.
Saturday evening we went to one of the Ottawa Valley's Finest Restaurants, L'oree du Bois. This classic French restaurant is just inside Gatineau Park, near Old Chelsea. What a treat! 14 of us enjoyed the food, the conversation and the service.
http://www.oreeduboisrestaurant.com/
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Shopping Trip!!!! - C.A. Paradis one of Ottawa's finest kitchen stores agreed to open their doors just for us on Sunday and much to our chefs delight there was so many different gadgets and utensils just waiting to be added to our arsenal of cooking materials. Thanks very much to the staff and owners of C.A. Paradis. http://www.caparadis.com/
Sunday afternoon, we went out to the Mariposa Duck Farm in Plantagenet, Ontario - approximately 45 minutes east of Ottawa. http://www.mariposa-duck.on.ca/
We were treated to a fabulous lunch and then also treated to a Personal Tour of the farm from the farmer himself, Ian Walker. Mr. Walker gave us a tour of the barns where the geese were being raised as well the pigs and all of the fabulous fruit and vegtables grown on the farm.
Sunday evening was just relaxing and we took our American friend out for Poutine, A Caesar, A beer and a hockey game at a sports bar all in the same night, welcome to Canada Pam!
Monday June 1, 2009
Today was an exciting for all of the chefs as went to the Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School. http://www.lcbottawa.com/
We had some fantastic demo classes in the morning including deboning, plate presentation and chacuterie (excuse my spelling).
The afternoon followed with 2 different classes - patisserie and culinary, the patisserie class was calm and relaxing and we made opera cakes and profiteroles. The culinary class was busy, high paced and hot as can be. They had fun, but unfortunately did not have any containers to take the food home.
The next Retreat may be out in the Wild West, we will just have to wait and see.
Until next time, happy cooking.
Chef Tim
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