Another young chef in the Comox Valley is progressing to the top of her field.

Maisie Matthews, a member of the Junior Culinary Team Canada and a cook apprentice at Locals at the Old House recently took second place in the Jeunes Chefs R么tisseurs Competition in Vancouver in early June.

The competition operates at the highest level of contemporary culinary competition and is judged by some of Vancouver鈥檚 top chefs. The goal of the competition is to encourage and promote the professional development of talented young chefs.

The 18-year-old said she missed out on the top spot by less than a full point, but added the competition pushed her in the right direction.

鈥淚 got involved with the Vancouver branch through the junior national team - there鈥檚 so much support if you look for it. I鈥檝e taken every opportunity that I can - I even offered to work for free,鈥� she noted.

In April, two other Valley chefs - Ella Oldaker and Ellianna Dyble - took home gold from the Skills Canada British Columbia Provincials 2023 in both secondary and post-secondary respectively in the Culinary Arts.

At the end of May, Oldaker received a bronze medal at the Skills Canada National Competition representing B.C. in Winnipeg.

For the timed competition, Matthews made an appetizer and and entree with a specific list of proteins including foie gras, snow crab legs, lamb shank and a rack of lamb.

Vancouver chef Scott Jaeger was one of the judges for the competition, someone Matthews calls an idol.

鈥淭hat was pretty incredible,鈥� she added. 鈥�(The competition) pushes me to go forward.鈥�

As for the future of her culinary career, Matthews was accepted to school in Paris where she plans to attend in February next year. Additionally, she is planning on attending the Culinary Olympics in early 2024 with the national team in Germany.

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