Last night, we found ourselves at an open viewing party hosted at The Sister with the winner of this year’s Top Chef Canada, along with some of his close friends, industry types and sundry supporters. Winner Carl Heinrich’s girlfriend Julia Ayearst was present at his side for the 90-minute viewing, as was episode 13 sous and season two contestant Trista Sheen (Crush Wine Bar). Packed against the bar, the boisterous crowd was glued to the closed-captioned flat screens which were tuned to the show, with plenty of heckling any time there was on-screen drama. Cheering erupted at each word of praise given to Heinrich, and the bar went wild when the season two winner was announced. Even show judge Mark McEwan and his entourage dropped by to congratulate Heinrich on his win (he’d earlier attended the 86’d viewing party at The Drake). Up next for Heinrich and Ayearst: a trip to his hometown of Sooke, B.C. this weekend, with a short stop in Vancouver for dinners at Fable, the new restaurant by season two runner-up Trevor Bird and Ensemble, the restaurant owned by season one winner Dale MacKay.
Carl Heinrich embraces his girlfriend Julia Ayearst as his win is announced (note Trista Sheen standing beside them) (Image: Suresh Doss)
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(Image: Renée Suen)
Head judge Mark McEwan with Ivy Knight at the 86’D Top Chef Canada finale viewing party. Knight asked McEwan for his favourite dish (Jonathan Korecki’s pierogi in a scampi broth) and least favourite (Joel Aubie’s scallop lollipop). McEwan also told the audience that Heinrich had a nickname on the show: serial killer, for the stares he would give to the judges when he stood in front of them
Head judge Mark McEwan with Ivy Knight at the 86’D Top Chef Canada finale viewing party. Knight asked McEwan for his favourite dish (Jonathan Korecki’s pierogi in a scampi broth) and least favourite (Joel Aubie’s scallop lollipop). McEwan also told the audience that Heinrich had a nickname on the show: serial killer, for the stares he would give to the judges when he stood in front of them
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(Image: Renée Suen)
Carl Heinrich and his girlfriend Julia Ayearst at his Top Chef Canada finale viewing party
Congratulations Carl. That was a fantastic night!