The national finals for the 2015 USA Pears “Pear Excellence” Canadian Culinary Student Competition were held on Tuesday, April 14, at École des métiers de la restauration et du tourisme de Montréal. Five culinary student finalists from regional competitions faced off before a panel of esteemed judges for the National Grand Prize title.Samuel Caron with his winning dish.

Samuel Caron, a culinary student from Centre Calixa-Lavallée, representing the Quebec region, won top honors from the judges with “A Sea of Pears,” a plate featuring oysters with pear garnish on a bed of vermicelli, lobster bisque with a Bosc pear milk emulsion, octopus salad served over pear hummus, and pear-scallop ceviche. The judges noted that the dish looked impressive, had well-balanced flavors and showcased the versatile pear in an outside-the-box format.

Caron’s worthy competitors were Esther Lepage from Vancouver Island University, representing the British Columbia/Northwest Territories region; Chelsea Radke from SAIT Polytechnic, representing the Prairies region; Mery Judith Cuadros Tenorio from Algonquin College, representing the Ontario region; and Theresa Walsh from Nova Scotia Community College-Kingstec, representing the Maritimes region.

Caron said that he chose the combination of pears and seafood because he grew up eating and loving fresh Canadian seafood. The highlight of his savory entree is a sweet hummus that blends Bosc pears and chickpeas, topped by an octopus salad with Green Anjou pears and red pepper. The judges lauded the dish, saying they enjoyed it start to finish and found it very creative.

Now in its eighth year, the Pear Excellence Canadian Culinary Student Competition recognizes the country’s most talented student chefs for their pear prowess.

Kevin Moffitt, president and chief executive officer of Pear Bureau Northwest, said, “We are proud to encourage pear consumption in foodservice by educating student chefs nationwide about U.S. pears. Canada is one of our top export markets, and we congratulate these promising individuals as they start their careers with enthusiasm for fresh pears.”

The student competitors won an all-expenses-paid trip to Montreal to participate in the national competition, which was held just before the Canadian Produce Marketing Association Convention & Expo. Each winner earned a cash award, and each finalist’s school also received scholarship funds in honor of their prize.

Event attendees, including culinary students, food bloggers and foodservice professionals, sampled each dish and voted on their favorite to select the People’s Choice Award. This year, the award was given to finalist Theresa Walsh of the Maritimes region for her Caramelized Scallops with Pear Fennel Slaw, Maple Glazed Pork Belly and Savory Pear Puree.