Gordon Bell cooks up a national win!

They came, they sautéed, they conquered. Gordon Bell High School’s Kitchen Brigade just served up a sizzling victory at the La Tablée des Chefs Canadian Culinary Competition in Montreal—earning the title of Canada’s Best Brigade and as the first team outside Quebec to take the crown in 13 years. Talk about a recipe for success! 

Facing off against the country’s top young chefs, this talented team of Grade 10 and 11 students—Avery Van Solkema, Sebastian Salter, Cailyn Olshevski, Yevhen Zinchenco, and Matea Thiessen-Unger—whisked, chopped, and plated their way to the top under the expert guidance of local chef Patrick Royandoyan and Human Ecology teacher Benita Luey Goertzen.   

“We are beyond proud of our students,” said Luey Goertzen. “Their dedication, creativity, and teamwork have brought them this far, and we can’t wait to see them represent Canada on the international stage.” 

Over the past year or two, these culinary champs have been sharpening their skills through nearly 40 hours of hands-on training in the Kitchen Brigades program—learning not just how to cook, but how to lead, collaborate, and think on their feet.  

The final cook-off, hosted by Quebecois celebrity chef Ricardo, threw a mystery bag of ingredients at the teams— beef tenderloin, brussels sprouts and asparagus. But Gordon Bell’s crew didn’t flinch. They cooked up a storm and wowed the judges with a dish that was anything but elementary. The winning dish was seared beef tenderloin with tomato confit, house-made potato chips, and a creamy Brussel sprout purée.    

And the heat’s not off yet! Next week on June 21, the team heads back to Montreal to represent Canada in an international culinary clash against a school from Paris, France. Bon appétit and bonne chance, Gordon Bell!

Cover photo: La Tablée des Chefs