'We’re immensely proud': Vancouver chef Alex Kim places second on 'Top Chef Canada'
Hot off the heels of Vancouver’s own Chanthy Yen’s win on season 11 of Top Chef Canada, another Vancouver chef has reached a significant milestone on season 12 of the show, finishing second.
Alex Kim, culinary director at Glowbal Restaurant Group, was one of the final two chefs standing on the show, competing against Ontario’s Coulson Armstrong of Matty Matheson’s Toronto-based Our House Hospitality Company.
In the episode, Kim and Armstrong were tasked with bringing their own dream restaurant concepts to life in a showdown called “One Night Only.”
Kim’s concept was called “Sovereign est. 1867,” which was meant as an homage to Canadian farmers, foragers, and fishers through a five-course tasting menu that featured regional ingredients like Arctic char from the Northwest territories, Alberta lamb, strawberries from Ontario, foie gras from Quebec, Nova Scotia lobster, and sablefish and dungeness crab from Haida Gwaii, B.C.
Highlights from the menu included Bannock with Smoked Arctic Char Mousse, Lobster Bisque with Mussel, Salt Cod Croquette and Lobster Claw, Herb-Crusted Lamb, Chickpea Panisse, Wild Rice Stuffed Morel and Carrot Top Mint Salsa Verde, and Foie Gras Ice Cream and Strawberry Cake with Maple Tuile.
Despite not taking home first place, the judges gave high praise for Kim’s concept.
“[Alex] really thought about every little detail. He’s delivering on the full experience … Sovereign 1867 was a masterclass in technique, refinement and service. It really felt like a fine-dining experience at a Michelin-star level,” said Top Chef Canada judge and restaurateur Janet Zuccarini.
“I cannot express what an incredible experience this has been for me and am so grateful for all the support that everyone from Vancouver and across Canada has shown us,” said Kim. “Coulson was an amazing competitor to go up against in the finale — so skilled, seasoned and experienced, and he really helped make this journey so special and unforgettable.”
Kim was one of three B.C.-based chefs to compete in season 12, with Katy Cheung of Vancouver’s Burdock & Co. and Nick Maharaj of Victoria’s Part and Parcel being the other two.
Kim emigrated from Korea as a teenager and proceeded to work the line at several top luxury hotel properties in Alberta, including Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and Fairmont Hotel MacDonald, before coming to Vancouver in 2017. Following a three-year run as chef de cuisine at the former Market by Jean-Georges at the Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver, Kim is currently the culinary director of Glowbal’s award-winning Five Sails.
“We’re immensely proud of Alex and the precision and poise he showed throughout this season of Top Chef Canada,” said Glowbal Restaurant Group CEO Emad Yacoub. “He’s an amazing chef, mentor, member of our Glowbal family and a passionate champion of local cuisine — which he showed so well on the Top Chef Canada finale. A huge congratulations to Alex, Coulson, and all the competitors who showed their chops this season.”
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