Alberta Pork is proud to be supporting the next generation of chefs by teaming up with Edmonton Chefs to provide a scholarship to NAIT’s Department of Culinary Arts and Professional Food Studies apprenticeship program. 

I had a chance to check out the High School Culinary Challenge at NAIT a few weeks back where 15 teams of three high school students from the Edmonton area were challenged to present a three course meal (including a pork tenderloin) to be judged by an impressive panel of local chefs.

Any of the grade 12 students who competed at this year’s High School Culinary Challenge are eligible to apply for a Canadian Culinary Fund scholarship. This year, Alberta Pork has generously donated $5000 which will help send one student through their full apprenticeship, including tuition, books, knives and uniforms.

I had a chance to catch up with Chef Peter Keith at this year’s High School Culinary Challenge, a fellow Paul Kane grad who competed in the competition in 2008 & 2009). Chef Keith received one of the scholarships and completed the three-year training program through NAIT. During his apprenticeship he worked at Cafe de Ville, the Shaw Conference Centre, and at Hardware Grill.

Chef Keith says it is easy for him to look back and say it was the single biggest opportunity on his culinary journey, leading to opportunities including culinary team Alberta where he competed in Germany.

High School Culinary Challenge Awards Dinner

One of the major fundraisers for the Canadian Culinary Fund scholarships is the High School Culinary Challenge Awards Dinner. Tickets for the dinner on Monday, March 12, 2018 – 6:00 p.m at the Shaw Conference Centre are just $35.

To support the next generation of Alberta chefs, visit Edmonton Chefs to purchase your ticket.