Peter Dewar wins national chef title

MONTREAL-Nova Scotia Community College chef instructor Peter Dewar can now add national champion to his list of culinary accomplishments.

Dewar, along with sous chef Megan Thompson, beat out three other teams to win the recent National Chefs Challenge put on by the Canadian Culinary Federation in Montreal.

Representing the Atlantic Canada region, Dewar was up against Mohammed Zai from Montreal, Michael Jensen from Toronto and Chris Thomson from Banff, Alberta.

Each chef had to use the same ingredients-salmon, oysters, leg of lamb and sweetbreads, to prepare a three-course meal for 25 people in three hours.

Dewar was chosen by his colleagues to attend the second annual competition.

"This sends a clear message to the rest of Canada that the Atlantic Region is home to top-notch chefs who produce very high-calibre cuisine," said Canadian Culinary Federation president Judson Simpson.

Thompson, a recent graduate of Nova Scotia Community College's Lunenberg Campus, said she was honoured to be chosen by Dewar to be sous chef.

"The other sous chefs in the competition were professionals with five to ten years in the industry.  I was the only woman and the only apprentice," Thompson said.

Dewar said he is interested in exposing new graduates to the experience and pressure of such competitions.

"I try to get students involved in these competitions as often as I can," Dewar said. "They're so enthusiastic and it's a great chance to build confidence in the kitchen."