Eat, Play, Love: Battledish Kingston

By Rosalyn Gambhir

Let’s get ready to rumble!

The city of Kingston has become an arena for a different type of competition this February 9th 2014. Kingston and six local chefs have been entered into an international Battledish within North America to gain the prestigious title of King among the top chefs. If you have heard of Chopped, MasterChef or you are a lover of food combined with competition, then this my friend, is for you. Imagine Battledish as a cross between Amazing Race and Iron Chef, but a little less dramatic.

Farmer markets are a great source for fresh local produce for Kingston restaurants.
Farmer markets are a great source for fresh local produce for Kingston restaurants.

Six Kingston chefs are to compete head to head presenting appetizer sized creations with a cocktail pairing (priced at $5 each). The culinary criteria are: most delicious, most creative, best modern, best cocktail and most authentic. Chef with the highest score wins the Kingston top chef title. Competitors and their dishes have slowly been revealed to the public over social media with stunning photography by Elisa Bulak, over the past few weeks in preparation for battle day, be sure to take a quick peak.

The six Kingston competitors are:

Chef Ryan Pitt, The Grizzly Grill

Chef Aaron Johnson, Jack Astors Kingston

Chef Genevieve Patenaude, Geneva Crepe Cafe

Sous Chef Arden MacLean, Milestones Bar & Grill

Chef Adam Martin, Windmills Casual Fine Dining

Baker Sarah Whitehead,  Sipps Coffee and Dessert Bar

One of the many dishes being presented - Winter marinated sirloin.
One of the many dishes being presented – Winter marinated sirloin.

Battledish Kingston is brought to you by Dishcrawl Kingston and is hosted by the lovely Christine McCullough. If you haven’t been to a Dishcrawl event and you consider yourself a proud Kingstonian and a foodie, what are you waiting for? It is a locally run company focused on re-imagining the way people think about food, drink, and their community. This is a great walking foodie tour that guides you through the downtown streets. It is perfect for couples, friends and family to enjoy and support local chefs. Check out the Gluten Free Dishcrawl to get an insider’s look.

Dessert anyone? - Carrot cake meets a cheesecake.
Dessert anyone? – Carrot cake meets a cheesecake.

A better question to ask is where do YOU come into play with Battledish?

Kingstonians have the ability to act as participants by purchasing admission to the event and then having the task of walking the battlegrounds eating and sipping their merry way to each restaurant along with casting their vote on who will be crowned King. At the check-in location, each participant receives a map and a menu of the Battledish competitors. It is up to them to decide where to venture and who to vote for.  Can you eat and drink with all six chefs in four hours?

Though a food competition, Battledish Kingston is an opportunity to bring the community together. What better way to end the week with a Sunday afternoon spent in downtown Kingston supporting local restaurants and promoting our great city through its wonderful food scene.


Who: YOU!

Where: Downtown Kingston

When: Sunday, February 9th, 2014 | 2pm-6pm

How: Cast your vote by ballot at each restaurant visited


Check-In Location:

Tir Na Nog – 200 Ontario Street
General admission check-in runs from 1:30pm-4:00pm
VIP check-in begins at 12:30pm

General Admission: $15

Admission only. This grants you admission to Battledish! To actually indulge in the chef’s creations, food and drink tickets must be purchased by obtaining a package below.


Teaser Package | Admission Plus 6 Tickets: $40

Admission, plus try six dishes (or drinks) with this package!

Gourmand | Admission + 12 tickets: $65

Admission, plus get your belly full by trying the full collection of dishes and drinks from all six chefs.

VIP | Early Admission + 12 Tickets + Swag Bags: $125

Admission grants you full access to Battledish. The VIP package also includes 12 tickets good for food/drinks at each of the 6 stops, early admission to the event at 1pm and swag bags.

For more information
www.dishcrawl.com/kingston