Andrews two-time winner of Gold Medal Plates
11/13/2015 3:05:33 PM
Chef Roger Andrews, a culinary arts instructor at College of the North Atlantic and owner of Relish Gourmet Burgers in St. John’s, took home the top prize last night at the provincial 2015 Gold Medal Plates competition, winning the opportunity to test his skills on the national stage. From left are Andrews and his team consisting of Garry Gosse, Robert Piercey and Robbie Lockyer.
Andrews claimed the gold plate with his dish, Eggs and Toast.
It’s been an outstanding year for Roger Andrews, a culinary arts instructor at College of the North Atlantic and owner of Relish Gourmet Burgers in St. John’s. In addition to winning $10,000 earlier this year on The Food Network’s hit show Chopped Canada, he took home the top prize last night at the provincial 2015 Gold Medal Plates competition, winning the opportunity to test his skills on the national stage.
This isn’t the first time Andrews came out on top in the provincial Gold Medal Plates competition; he took first place in 2013 and went on to compete on the national stage, placing fifth. However, Andrews says last night marked the first time someone from Newfoundland and Labrador has won the provincial competition twice.
Andrews claimed the gold plate with his dish, Eggs and Toast, which was more difficult to plate than it sounds as it was based on the flavours of a classic caviar service. It included Acadian sturgeon caviar, sea urchin bavarian, scallop bottarga, shallot toast, buckwheat crisp, sour cream and lemon curd and pink peppercorn meringue. He paired the dish with a dry, sparkling white wine from Nova Scotia, Benjamin Bridge Tidal Bay.
“As has been the case across the country this year, experience has been a factor in the creation of superior competition plates,” wrote award-winning food author, James Chatto in his culinary report from last night’s competition. “Taking gold for the second time was Roger Andrews of Relish Gourmet Burgers with a dish that was elegant to look at and heaven to eat.”
“It was good,” Andrews said of stepping on the podium last night to accept his gold plate. “I usually get a little bit emotional, but I held it together somewhat this time. It was a good way to end off a long couple of days for sure and I’m just thinking about the next step now.”
That next step is to compete on the national stage Feb. 5-6, 2016 in Kelowna, BC. Should he take first on the national stage, he will receive a three-year lease on a $150,000 BMW.
“2015 has been pretty crazy. I don’t know how I keep up with it all between running the restaurant (Relish Gourmet Burgers), working at College of the North Atlantic, and my family. It has been pretty busy,” Andrews said.
Andrews first began his culinary training at Cabot College in 1994 (now known as CNA) where he received a diploma in Food administration. He then went on to the Culinary Institute of Canada in Prince Edward Island where he graduated with honours with a diploma in Culinary Arts. Andrews returned to his roots in 2006, but this time as an instructor at CNA’s Prince Philip Drive campus.
Andrews has lent his coaching skills to Skills Canada competitions and was a part of the Canadian Culinary Olympic Team for nearly a decade. During the Culinary Olympics in Germany 2012, he walked away with a bronze medal for the individual entry category; Team Canada placed fourth overall.
He is also a regular contributor to many provincial culinary events such as Shaun Majumder’s The Gathering, Roots Rants and Roars, Mid Winter Bivver, Songs Stages and Seafood, and Eat the Hill.
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Roger Andrews’ career highlights:
Career Highlights
Competition History
Provincial Gold Medal Plates Champion 2015
Provincial Gold Medal Plates Champion 2013
National Gold Medal plates 2014 5th place
Member of Culinary Team Canada 2006-2012
2012 World Culinary Olympics Bronze Medal Category A
Pei International Chowder Challenge Champion 2010
Pei Chef Challenge 2nd place in 2007, 2009 & 2010
Television Shows
Next Great Chef Mentor Season 1 2005 and Season 2 - 2006
Chopped Canada Season 2 – 2015 (won)
Chef Roary’s International Showcase - 2015
Trade Show And Events
James Beard House Dinners New York City 2008 and 2014
International Restaurant and Food Show New York 2010
International Restaurant and food Show Miami 2007
China Seafood Show Dalian China 2013
China Seafood Show Qingdao China 2014
China Seafood Show Qingdao China 2015
Boards
Atlantic Culinary Harmonization Board
School Lunch Program
NL Cooking apprenticeship board
Media Contact:
Glenda McCarthy
Public Relations Specialist
College of the North Atlantic
709.643.6408
glenda.mccarthy@cna.nl.ca