Banff Centre executive sous-chef Chris Thomson won a gold medal in the individual plated meal category at the IKA World Culinary Olympics in Erfurt, Germany. Thomson was a part of Culinary Team Alberta, winners of gold in three team competition categories and two gold medals in the individual competition.
In a field of 62 regional teams, the Alberta chefs ranked second highest overall at the international competition held October 19 to 22. Judges looked at innovation, presentation, composition, correct professional preparation, and arrangement. Held every four years, the IKA Culinary Olympics is one of five international culinary competitions sanctioned by the World Association of Chefs’ Societies. This year’s event also involved 40 national teams and over 1,600 competitors.
In 2004, Thomson received his Certified Chef de Cuisine designation. No stranger to competition, he was a member of the 2006 Culinary Team Alberta in the Luxembourg Expogast Culinary World Cup. Individually, he won gold, and his team received two gold medals and one silver. Thomson has also participated in regional events including Calgary’s Chaine des Rôtisseur “Jeunes Commis Rôtisseurs” Competition in 1996. He won a silver medal at the Culinary Arts Salon in Edmonton in 1998, and placed in the top ten at the Fetzer Great Beginnings Appetizer Challenge in 2002.
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