Martin Juneau,  Chef de Cuisine for Montreal’s Newtown Restaurant, has won Gold in the 2011 Canadian Culinary Championships held February 18th and 19th in Kelowna, BC. The National Golden Plate Award celebrates Canadian excellence in cuisine. The events leading up to the Grand Finale took place over eight cities and many months, and raised $5 million for Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

Chef Martin won because of his capacity to consistently create exceptional yet simple dishes with an eye for fresh produce and a focus on quality of the core ingredient. Martin is seen by his team as having hands-on approach because he is involved in each stage of the dish planning. “I am delighted and overwhelmed with the award,” he said. “Most chefs cook with the hope and aspiration of recognition from our guests and the industry but this award has left me a little lost for words.”

James Chatto, Gold Medal Plates national culinary advisor and head judge was very impressed with this year’s competitors. Experienced veterans and eager young blood battled for the recognition to be called the best in Canada. He said: “It was a very strong competition with at least four chefs who were within reach of the victory before the Grand Finale. Judges were amazed at the technical brilliance of the dishes and wine matches. In the end we were unanimous in giving the gold, silver and bronze medals”.

Martin Juneau took the helm of the kitchen at Newtown in January 2011 where he cooks in creative partnership with Executive Chef Daren Bergeron. Until 2009, Newtown was owned by Jacques Villeneuve. He subsequently sold it to Tom Nacos and Marcel Elefant.

Tomorrow Tony Aspler goes fishing for wine. What do you think he’ll find?