Gold Medal Plates has created an exciting new initiative to recognize restaurants whose chefs compete in our events across Canada. It’s called the Emblem of Distinction and consists of a handsome and eye-catching decal that will be presented to competing chefs to display on the window or door of their restaurants.
The Emblem serves several purposes. For the restaurant and chef, it is a sign that they were chosen as one of the top restaurants in their city by the judges of Gold Medal Plates – a member of the talented elite of their culinary community. For the public, the Emblem serves as a mark of excellence and an implicit guarantee of the quality of the restaurant, in the same way as a Michelin star. For Gold Medal Plates itself, the whole initiative is a way to communicate directly with the restaurant-going public, year-round instead of just during our autumn “campaign season,” thereby nurturing awareness of the organisation and the work it does for our Olympic athletes. In short, everyone wins.
How is a restaurant chosen to compete in a Gold Medal Plates event? As National Culinary Advisor, I work with the local Senior Judge in each city to select the best chefs in the city and surrounding region. Talent and quality are our main criteria and we consciously look for rising stars as well as established figures. Personal invitations are sent out to the chefs. Gold Medal Plates is honoured when they accept.
The new Emblem of Distinction is more than a mere souvenir of a chef’s involvement. It is permanent recognition of the very high regard in which he or she is held by some of Canada’s leading food critics.