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Chef Schiller going against Kathy Morey for title
Over the last two weeks seven top chefs from restaurants in Cranbrook and Kimberley went head-to-head in soup-making competition at the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen, using only the donated ingredients on hand.
Today, concluding five memorable culinary cook-offs, soup feasts, and chef match-ups, the Salvation Army clients cast their final vote.
Chef Doug Wagner of St. Eugene Mission Resort produced a crowd pleaser, preparing a delicious BBQ chicken soup. But it was five votes shy of Chef Shelby Schiller’s Tomato Beef Vegetable soup. This means next Wednesday, Chef Shelby Schiller of BJ’s Diner and Creekside Pub in Kimberley will go against Kathy Morey, Salvation Army cook, for the title of Kootenay Granite Stone Soup Chef 2015.
“I heard from Doug on Monday that there had been ground beef in the Salvation Army kitchen, so I was hoping it was still there and that I’d find some cabbage today,” said Chef Schiller. “And I did! The soup I made is a family soup that has been passed down through the generations. It was really nice to be part of this event, share my cooking, and get to see people enjoying my soup.”
Both Schiller and Wagner were strategic in their approach and wanted to cater to the Salvation Army guest’s taste, which seemed to trend towards hearty, protein-rich soups with distinct flavour.
“My goal today was to make something unique from what I made last week,” said Wagner, who won his initial round with a cheeseburger chowder. “I was surprised at actually how different the foods were today from what was here last week, which really speaks to the volume of meals this kitchen is putting out.”
Morey and Schiller will compete at the grand finale event on March 4, noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Prestige Rocky Mountain Resort and Convention Centre. Tickets to the public event are available in two prices: $25 for lunch; or, $45 for lunch and a $20 charitable receipt. They can be purchased with cash at Max’s Place or by calling 250-426-1119.
“It was a really good event,” said CJ, a Salvation Army guest who sampled all soups in the competition and cast his vote after every chef challenge. “I liked trying the different soups and it was fun voting on your favourite. I looked forward to coming in for lunch and knew we might get to try something a bit different. I hope we get to have this here again.”
The Prestige Rocky Mountain Resort and Convention Centre is sponsoring the final event, as well as providing the Grand Ballroom, staff, and food at no cost, ensuring 100 per cent of proceeds from ticket sales go directly towards the Salvation Army homeless shelter project, as well as the Cranbrook and District Community Foundation general endowment fund, which provides annual grants to local non-profits.
Cranbrook and District Community Foundation
