Culinary Challenge

Centennial Food Solutions hosted a Culinary Challenge on June 7th, combining culinary expertise, philanthropy, and camaraderie. This year's charity partner was Between Friends, a pan-disability organization providing social, recreational and developmental opportunities to more than 80 disability groups. The event proved successful, raising $3,900.00 for the cause.

One of the event's central highlights was the raffle, where participants were given a chance to win a state-of-the-art Traeger Ironwood 650 grill. Traeger, a renowned grill manufacturer, went above and beyond by generously supplying an assortment of complementary sauces, spice rubs, and wood pellets for the competing teams. Ryan El, Sales Manager at Traeger, played a pivotal role in the event's success. He not only offered guidance and mentorship to the participants, but also provided multiple grills to ensure a seamless cooking experience.

Triple6grill's Josh Schmaltz travelled from Saskatchewan to support the Calgary team and provide assistance to fellow contenders. With the help of a few team captains, Josh tirelessly worked through the night to guarantee that the Sterling Silver brisket was served at its best. 

This year's Culinary Challenge wouldn't have been possible without the valuable contributions from sponsors such as Cargill, Sterling Silver Beef and the CFS Calgary Burger shop team.

The Winning Team

After an intense competition, the BC Buds emerged victorious, taking home the Boom Culinary Cup. The winning team was made up of members from the Kelowna and Richmond branches, led by Tyler Groenesteyn and co-captained by Rob Sell, both seasoned professionals in the culinary world. BC Buds presented an imaginative, captivating menu that left a lasting impression on the discerning judges: 

Menu for BC Buds

1. Carnivore Wiener - Mexican street corn with Cotija cheese, cilantro crema, chicharron, and pickled onion.

2. Sinaloa Shot - Blanco tequila, passionfruit shrub, lime, Ancho Reyes Verde, and the signature "Boom Balloon."

3. "Beef and Reef" Brisket Char Siu - A 4-hour and 20-minute smoked brisket with Sichuan pepper BBQ sauce, spot prawn shumai, Chinese pickles, and prawn-dusted funions.

4. Cookies and Milk - Brisket tallow chocolate chip cookie sando, salted dark chocolate cremeux, and a special center served with a milk-washed espresso rum punch.

While the BC Buds took home the title, every team displayed an exceptional effort. The event showcased several remarkable menus, each brimming with creativity and culinary finesse:

Team Saskatoon/Calgary

1. Smoked Brisket Stuffed Shells

2. Carnivore and Caramelized Onion Sausage Rolls

3. Smoked Bourbon Old Fashion

Team Edmonton/Regina

1. Birria Brisket Tacos

2. Jalapeño Western Twinkies

3. Blue Lagoon

Team B&C/Prince George

1. Polynesian Brisket

2. Huli Huli Carnivore Cube 

3. Mai Tai Martini

4. Blue Hawaiian Shot

The event was a heartwarming example of the power of togetherness, compassion, and collaboration. Centennial Food Solutions, along with its sponsors and participants, demonstrated a shared commitment to making a positive impact in the community while celebrating the art of grilling.