CHATEAU WHISTLER APPRENTICE CHEF TAKES PODIUM FOR PROVINCIAL COOKING COMPETITION
Whistler, B.C. June 17, 2019 – Yesterday Florencia Gomez Quinteros, apprentice chef at Fairmont Chateau Whistler, took home first place in the Ocean Wise Chowder Challenge at the annual BC Seafood Festival in Comox, British Columbia.
Ms. Gomez Quinteros has spent the last several months working on her ideas for her winning chowder. While she tasted and revamped the dish tirelessly until she was satisfied with all the flavours and components, she still found the process to be “a fun and exciting project.” A windy outdoor venue and limited heat sources challenged but didn’t hinder Gomez Quinteros in the competition and the judges obviously agreed awarding her with a first place finish.
“I was pretty happy to be a part of this competition, to serve all the people and hear that they loved it,” stated Chef Gomez Quinteros. “But the highlight for me was that the competition was on Father’s Day so I got to dedicate my award to my dad back in my native Argentina.”
“We are so incredibly proud of Flo,” stated Executive Chef Isabel Chung. “Our province’s top chefs come to Comox to compete at the BC Seafood Festival, and she really stepped up to the plate – literally.”
Ms. Gomez Quinteros joined Executive Chef Isabel Chung’s team of apprentices at Fairmont Chateau Whistler in January 2018. Prior to that, she attended Vancouver Island University and completed her first year of apprenticeship at a small fine dining restaurant in Powell River. Continuing to learn and grow, getting her Red Seal certification, becoming a better cook and a mentor to others are just a few of Ms. Florencia Gomez Quinteros’ aspirations.
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