Sweet victory for OC alumna at Vancouver Chocolate Challenge
The seven judges at the seventh annual Chocolate Challenge in Vancouver, sponsored by the Gourmet Warehouse, know what a winner tastes like: beer-infused ganache bonbons.
Okanagan College Pastry Arts alumna Jalayne Jones whisked her way to the highest honours earlier last month at the competition, where some of Western Canada’s top pastry chefs and chocolatiers came together to compete for a good cause.
The style of the competition is simple – seven chocolate experts, who serve as event judges, elect a protégé and then provide mentorship leading up to the event. The competitors craft chocolates and bring them in an unmarked box that is presented to the panel of judges.
Jones, a pastry chef at Hillside Winery Bistro in Penticton, merited the invitation to compete from OC Pastry Arts instructor and event judge, Okanagan College chef instructor Danny Capadouca.
“The competition was exciting, stressful and nerve wracking all at once. Many hours of work went into dialing in the final chocolate then once it was perfected, a few days of early mornings and late nights were spent making all of the chocolates in preparation for competition day,” says Jones. “I couldn’t have been happier with the results.”
Jones stepped up to the challenge with an original recipe inspired by locally grown – and brewed – ingredients. Her recipe achieved the perfect blend of savoury and sweet and crunchy and smooth, earning her a unanimous victory over competitors representing Chez Christophe, Thierry, Thomas Haas, Temper Pastry, Chocolate Arts, and the Fairmont Pacific Rim.
The bonbon – dubbed Beer and Pretzels – used Royal Decree English ale from one of Kelowna’s newest breweries, Vice and Virtue Brewing Co., and used locally-crafted chocolate from none other than Okanagan College.
The College is the first post-secondary institution outside of Europe to create its own chocolate recipes. Jones used OC’s milk chocolate recipe, Kalamalka Karamel, to create the smooth beer caramel with almond pretzel praline.
“Working with Jalayne was a treat in this competition and her directive on this chocolate was well-received by some of the biggest names in the industry,” says Capadouca, a former competitor turned judge. “It’s amazing because we all give the competitor free creative reign because it is their chocolate. It’s some of the highest quality chocolates you’ll see.”
Capadouca served as a judge for the competition for a second year in a row and invites an OC Pastry Arts graduate to compete every time, after previously participating himself. Jones win marks the third appearance for the College in the event.
“The competition is by invite-only and I always bring a Pastry Arts alumnus with me to compete,” he explains. “Jalayne’s put in a lot of volunteer time for the College since she graduated. She’s really shown an interest and growth in her own chocolate making.”
The Chocolate Challenge began in 2012 as a fundraiser for at-risk youth. Proceeds from the event benefit Vancouver Firefighters Charities Snacks for Kids, Project Chef and the Strathcona Backpack Program, which are local programs in Vancouver that engage kids and food. To date, the event has raised more than $125,000.
Throughout the summer, Jones can be found making chocolate and other pastries at Hillside Winery Bistro on Naramata Road. Its operating hours are 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.
TOP STORIES
RELATED STORIES
Sign up for weekly stories
Meet Ruth Gabriela Melo Flores
April 4, 2023
Q: What's your name? A: Ruth Gabriela Melo Flores Q: What's your hometown? A: Quito – Ecuador – South America Q: How did you end up at Okanagan College? A: Well, I studied for a bachelor's degree in Law in Ecuador. Then, I worked for a while and got my Master's degree in Government and Culture of Organizations at the University of Pamplona. When I returned to my country, professional opportunities arose for me. I mean, a Master's degree improved my career. Spain helped ...
Read more...Artistic students design future careers in animation
June 7, 2022
Grads of Okanagan College’s Animation Diploma program are finding their skills have never been in higher demand. First- and second-year students showed samples of their artwork and demo reels to industry partners at OC’s annual Animation Industry Night on May 17. “Lots of the work was very professional,” says James Wood, Chair of Okanagan College’s Animation Department. “Our program is short, but intense. The instructors make sure the students have a realistic understanding of what they need do to succeed in a competitive and demanding...
Read more...OC Business students embrace international study again
May 30, 2022
Business students from Okanagan College are once again able to travel to Jyväskylä, Finland to experience an international summer school at the JAMK University of Applied Sciences. Finland’s education system is widely regarded as one of the best in the world. OC Business Professor Blair Baldwin, who has taught Services Design at JAMK for several summers, says working in Finland has helped him innovate and create new teaching methodologies. “JAMK employs experiential learning across its curriculum,” he says. “They stress cri...
Read more...Enactus Okanagan College tops the field, sets sights on national championships
May 27, 2022
Okanagan College students will once again be competing for the Canadian title after qualifying for the Enactus National Exposition with a first-place finish in their league during the semi-final round. Enactus teams at post-secondary institutions across Canada competed virtually earlier this month, and Okanagan College scooped up top position in the TD Entrepreneurship Challenge, and runner-up in the Scotiabank Climate Action Challenge for the Unusually Good Food Co. project. It also included national runner-up in Shaw and RBC accelerator...
Read more...