THUNDER BAY -- Graham Davis knew when he took over as the chef of the 5 Forks Restaurant he had a lofty standard to uphold in the city’s premier culinary contest.
Davis not only lived up to his predecessors but did even better, claiming the title of Thunder Bay’s Top Chef after the third annual competition was held on Saturday at the Victoria Inn.
“It was a little of pressure because we’ve placed third and second in the past two years,” he admitted. “As a new chef starting there in August it was a little bit of pressure to do at least as well as second so the win means a lot to me and the restaurant.”
His winning offering, a southern pulled pork picnic slider with a jalapeno bourbon aioli, put him just in front of Local Motion and the OLG Casino Thunder Bay in the overall results.
Local Motion was awarded with the judges’ choice crown while the Da Vinci Centre was named the most entertaining.
For Davis the key was to create a memorable dish that would hit the taste buds.
“We were looking to bring big, bold flavour that hit a little bit of everything,” Davis said. “I think we delivered.”
This year’s competition featured 12 local eateries and event coordinator Sharla Brown said organizers had to implement a lottery system to determine participants due to the overwhelming demand.
That is good news for city foodies, she said.
“There are more restaurants, food trucks and catering companies who are coming on the food scene,” Brown said.
“It goes to show with all the new things opening up in the city every month...It’s exciting to see that in the city and it’s drawing a lot of tourism into our city as well. People aren’t coming just for all of the outdoor activities, they’re coming for the culinary scene as well.”
Food Network Canada personality Roger Mooking was brought in as this year’s celebrity guest.
Mooking, who has been on shows such as Heat Seekers, Everyday Exotic and Man Fire Food, said having so many unique dining styles together creates an interesting picture of what what’s going on in the city.
“We’re getting the cream of the crop of what’s happening in Thunder Bay,” he said. “That’s exciting to get a snapshot like that.”
He added there is an explosion of food culture.
“People are just really interested and engaged in food in a way I don’t think people have ever been in North America,” Mooking said.
Along with the bragging rights, Davis claims the $1,000 prize for being the city’s top chef.
The past couple of years have shown the recognition and exposure the restaurants receive from being part of the competition is just as important.
“This just adds a little more to that experience,” Davis said.
