Edmonton chef crowned best in Canada

Edmonton chef Ryan O'Flynn has been named Canada's best chef.

An Edmonton chef has been awarded the gold medal in the Canadian Culinary Championships.

Ryan O’Flynn from the Westin Edmonton is the first local chef to earn the top spot and he said it was a great feeling.

“It is great for our culinary scene. It puts us on the Canadian map now.

"It's been long overdue since Edmonton has got something like this so I feel great. I'm proud to bring it back home.”

The two-day competition between 11 of the country’s best chefs was held in Kelowna February 6 and 7.

O’Flynn’s award comes after news that an Edmonton eatery was named one of Canada’s best new restaurants of 2014.

RGE RD, which opened in the summer of 2013, was listed in the top 10 by En Route (Air Canada’s travel magazine).

General manager Caitlin Fulton said they were surprised as they did not know the magazine was considering their 40-seat restaurant for the list.

“When they contacted us to take pictures they told us ‘oh, we are doing a feature on Edmonton dining’.

“They are very secretive. Then of course a couple days before they give you a heads-up. They just tell you to man the phones, which you need to do because all of a sudden people start phoning,” she explained.

“The amount of phone calls and e-mails we have gotten since has been unreal.”

Chef Blair Lebsack said they were thrilled.

“It was pure enjoyment when we heard it.

“We couldn’t have asked for more.”

The restaurant uses wood, antiques and genuine farm items to create its atmosphere.

“We wanted to have rustic elements that you would find maybe in a barn but overall we just wanted a warm and inviting feel,” Fulton said.

Having grown up on a farm Lebsack said their restaurant had close connections to Alberta farmers.

“All things in the kitchen are local and it is not even about local it is about knowing the farmer and letting them source things,” he said.

“The menu really evolves all the time.”

Lebsack has also been named a ‘Top 40 Under 40’ by Avenue magazine in 2013 for his international dishes and local ingredients.

Fulton said she is already looking to the future telling CTV News they will be growing.

“We will be expanding the kitchen space and we will be expanding our butchery program.

“Starting out small has given us room to evolve and grow our concept.”

En Route has been publishing its list of Canada’s best new restaurants for 13 years.

With files from Veronica Jubinville