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Flavour of Chocolate: Local chefs vie for votes to win first award

Chef's special creations help young women

Five chefs from across the region will be competing for votes at the sold-out Flavour of Chocolate fundraising event Saturday, April 18 at 6:30pm at the Westin Bear Mountain. Each of their special creations of small, savoury meals must incorporate chocolate or cocoa.  Guest votes will determine the winner at this first annual event hosted by the Soroptimist International of Victoria Westshore.

The competing chefs in the Flavour of Chocolate Small Plates & Chef Competition are:

Toivo Heyduck, Head Chef at Last Frontier Heliskiing, Stewart, B.C.

Chef Toivo Heyduck was a semi-finalist in Chopped Canada—a culinary competition TV series—and has worked under Chef Massimo Capro, of Restaurant Makeover, and Master Chef Didier Leroy in Toronto. Before his current role as Head Chef at Last Frontier Heliskiing at the Bitter Creek Cafe, he worked at Sooke Harbour House. In 2014 he was a featured chef at the Oregon Truffle Festival.

Mark Wadsworth, Executive Chef at The Westin Bear Mountain

Executive Chef Mark Wadsworth has a wealth of experience at five star hotels. He developed his skills at the world famous Grosvenor House, a JW Marriot Hotel in London, and has worked with some of B.C.’s finest including Westin Whistler Resort and the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel.

Michael Nightingale, Red Sealed Chef at Four Mile Restaurant and Pub

Outside of a two-year hiatus to work as an Executive Chef and open a high-end steak house in Newfoundland, Chef Michael Nightingale has worked at Four Mile Pub and Restaurant for over eight years

Don Moloney, Owner and Product Developer at River Road Specialty Chocolates

Don Moloney’s top quality hot chocolate made with 100% cocoa and a blend of spices is carried in more than 140 stores and shops. Many stores also carry his truffles, and his custom-made truffles can be found at a variety of vineyards and other local producers.

Pat Hogan, Owner and Chef de Cuisine at Four Beaches B&B

Chef Pat Hogan apprenticed at Le Provencal Restaurant in Toronto. Later, he became an executive chef at several prestigious properties in the Niagara Region, including The Prince of Wales Hotel. He and his wife, Alison, own and operate the successful bed and breakfast, 4 Beaches B & B and Catering, in Sooke where they live.

Presenting Sponsor, Diana Frizell, Investment Advisor, RBC Wealth Management - Dominion Securities looks forward to being among the appreciative audience that will savour in the chefs’ creations before weighing in with her vote.

“I’m sure it will be a difficult choice but at the end of the day, the true winners are the young women who will benefit from SIVW’s commitment to our community,” says Frizell.

In addition to the culinary competition that will showcase the talents of these rising and accomplished chefs, Flavour of Chocolate includes: a presentation of two financial awards to young women to further their education; a silent auction with a wide selection of unique and beautiful items; music played by Flamenco Guitar Artist Jake Lee.

The goals of the event are to raise local awareness of Soroptimist International of Victoria Westshore and to raise funds so that the club can continue its good works.

By attending this event, participants are helping Soroptimist International of Victoria Westshore to educate, empower, and enable opportunities that transform the lives of girls, women and their children. Learn more here.