Belfountain Inn wins Chef's Challenge award

The cast of participating Chefs at the first ever Chef's Challenge to benefit Family Transition Place.

The Belfountain Inn reigned supreme at the firstever Chef's Challenge to benefit Family Transition Place, held at the palatial Royal Ambassador Event Centre the evening of Monday, July 9.

Fifteen of the regions premier restaurants joined by the restaurants of Toronto's prestigious Fairmont Royal York Hotel, created an impressive tableau of sip 'n' savour gourmet delights for the 200 plus attending guests.

Using a People's Choice style voting system, the Belfountain Inn's bourbon poached apples with smoked pork tenderloin chipolte accompanied by whipped brie and chocolate chili pecans won the premiere Chef Challenge Grande Award.

Belfountain Inn owner Jim Wallace was quick to throw praise to his chef Jason Perkins and sous chef Brenda Christensen. He was equally complimentary about the competitive focus of the first time event.

"The Chef's Challenge is an excellent opportunity for the fraternity of chefs to compete in a truly independent venue. It was very impressive to have the Royal York's participation in an inaugural year. Hopefully this will inspire involvement from some of the superb GTA restaurants for the future," said Wallace.

"The creativity and quality of each signature dish is unprecedented," said event creator Hugh Sutherland, principal of Carriage Trade Wines and Spirits. Sutherland personally paired a premier wine selection with each of the chef creations.

Hockley Valley's Mono Cliffs Inn ran away with the dessert category, while Season's on Mill Street in Orangeville and the Hockley Valley Resort were crowd favorites in the main category.

"We're thrilled that the organizers of the first-ever Chef's Challenge has chosen to support Family Transition Place by donating the proceeds from this event. We thank the talented chefs and generous community members who took part in the event for making it such a success. FTP is looking forward to a continued relationship with Chef's Challenge for many years to come," said Norah Kennedy, executive director of FTP.

The Royal Ambassador Event Centre generously donated for the charity event, demonstrated its unique venue adaptability when a pending heavy rain system threatened the event's terraced outdoor location. Owner John Giancola and staff quickly moved the entire event under the majestic 500-person tent overlooking the beautifully landscaped lakeside setting. Giant ceiling fans and the impressive window system of the massive tent kept guests comfortable throughout the hottest evening of the year.

Family Transition Place is working to raise respect and eliminate violence in Caledon and Dufferin by providing violence prevention education to the community as well as shelter, counselling and legal/transitional support to abused women and their children. Last year more than 9,500 lives were touched by the services of FTP. For information about FTP visit www.familytransitionplace.c a.

Participating restaurants included Arbour Restaurant (Nobleton), Hiding Inn Hockley (Hockley), Belfountain Inn (Belfountain), Hockley Valley Resort (Orangeville), Caledon Inn (Caledon East), Hogan's Inn (King City), Chef Talk Bistro (Bolton), Millcroft Inn & Spa (Alton), Daniel's of Nobleton (Nobleton), Mono Cliffs Inn (Mono Centre), Dolcini by Joseph (Kleinburg) Seasons on Mill Street (Orangeville), Fairmont Royal York Hotel (Toronto) Ten North (Orangeville), The Consulate (Royal Ambassador, Caledon East).