Egg Farmers of Ontario announces winners of “Egg-spress” Yourself 2008 Student Culinary Contest

November 25, 2008 – Mississauga, ON – Winners of Egg Farmers of Ontario’s “Egg-spress” Yourself 2008 Student Recipe Contest have been chosen after competing last week in a “Cook-off” held at George Brown College in Toronto.

Winners of Egg Farmers of Ontario’s “Egg-spress” Yourself 2008 Student Recipe Contest have been chosen after competing yesterday in a “Cook-off” held at George Brown College in Toronto. Finalists from 7 Ontario colleges competed in two categories – “Just the Good Stuff” (open to appetizer and dessert recipes) and “Real in the Kitchen” (recipes prepared in 20 minutes or less with a maximum of five ingredients). The contestants’ dishes were judged by a panel of four industry food experts and an Egg Farmers of Ontario (EFO) representative.  All finalists received an EFO gift basket that included a frying pan, apron, cookbook and a gift certificate for a year’s supply of eggs.
 

Winners received a personal cash prize with the equivalent amount being awarded to their colleges.
The winners of the contest are:
 
·     “Just the Good Stuff”
    _     $1,000 First prize – Christopher Stecko, George  Brown  College, Poached Egg with Guacamole and       Asparagus Tempura
    _     $750 Second prize – Susan Dimma, Liaison  College in  Kitchener, Green    Eggs and Naan
    _     $500 Third prize – Line Lefebvre, Algonquin  College, Divinity Eggs
 
·     “Real in the Kitchen”
o               $1,000 First prize – Sarah Hess, Liaison College in Kingston, Gratin of Fresh Berries
o               $750 Second prize – John Vetere, George Brown College, Mini Grilled Cheese ‘n Egg Sandwiches
o               $500 Third prize – Jennifer Politi, Fleming College, Strawberry Dessert Omelette
 
The panel of food industry judges included: Cora Tsouflidou, Founder, President and CEO of Chez Cora and Cora’s Restaurants; Chef Christopher Ennew, Executive Chef at Ste. Anne’s Country Inn and Spa in Grafton; Anita Stewart, Gastronomer, Culinary Activist and Author; and Chef Sebastian Cugno, Teacher North Peel Secondary School. EFO’s Chair Carolynne Griffith also served as a judge.
 
“I am very proud to say that Egg Farmers of Ontario understands the importance of providing valuable learning experiences for students. It is my hope the participants will take what they have learned from this competition on to benefit them in their culinary careers,” said Carolynne Griffith, EFO Chair.
 
The “Egg-spress” Yourself 2008 Student Recipe Contest ran from September 29th to October 26th, and was open to full-time students currently enrolled in a culinary certificate or diploma program at an Ontario College or Culinary School. Culinary students were challenged to create egg recipes that are creative, simple and delicious. Finalists were chosen to prepare their recipes at the Cook-Off. All recipes submitted had to include at least one large egg per serving.