GOLD MEDAL PLATES FIRES UP COMPETITION IN THE QUEST TO FIND TORONTO'S BEST CHEF

Ten of Toronto's most celebrated chefs will battle it out to see who will be named the city's best chef during the Gold Medal Plates competition held Thursday, October 16, 2008 at the Royal York Hotel.

A celebration of Canadian excellence, Gold Medal Plates brings together the finest chefs, wines and athletes. Olympic and Paralympic athletes assist each competing chef, together creating and serving their signature dish to the 500+ guests attending the event. A panel of culinary judges selects the gold, silver and bronze winners; the gold medal winning chef from Toronto will go on to compete at the Canadian Culinary Championships next February in Banff, Alberta.

Competing chefs are:

J.P. Challet - The Fifth
Lino Collevecchio - Via Allegro
Jean-Charles Dupoire - Epic
Jonathon Gushue - Langdon Hall Country House
John Kwan - Lai Toh Heen
David Lee - Spendido
Patrick Lin - Senses Restaurant
Lorenzo Loseto - George
Mark McEwan - North 44
Scott Woods - Lucien

Olympic and Paralympic athletes in attendance include:

Simon Whitfield
Adam van Koeverden
Adam Kreek
Karen Cockburn
Jayna Hefford
Jeff Buttle

Date: Thursday, October 16
Location: Royal York Hotel, 100 Front Street West

Timing:

5:15 - 6:00 p.m. VIP Reception - Interviews with chefs and athletes
6 - 7:45 p.m. Culinary competition
8 - 9:30 p.m. Speeches, entertainment; performance by Jim Cuddy and Kathleen Edwards.
9:00 p.m. Ottawa's gold, silver and bronze medal chefs announced

Gold Medal Plates' regional competitions begin in October and include Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary. Since its inception, Gold Medal Plates has donated more than $2 million to support Canadian Olympic and Paralympic athletes and has elevated the profile of Canadian cuisine and wine. Gold Medal Plates thanks title sponsors GE and EPCOR, companies that recognize the value of investing in Canadian excellence and achievement.

Seating is limited. Some tickets are still available. Call 416-646-2751 or visit www.goldmedalplates.com for ticket information.

For more information contact: Karen Petcoff 416-275-6844