Alex Kim, Culinary Director at Glowbal Restaurant Group’s Five Sails, earned top honours as Canada’s leading chef by winning gold at the 2025 Canadian Culinary Championship held in Ottawa this past weekend.
Kim secured his place among Canada’s culinary elite by winning the Vancouver regional event of Canada’s Great Kitchen Party in 2024. Competing against nine other chefs from across the country, Kim navigated three demanding events, including a Mystery Wine pairing and the high-pressure Black Box competition.
The grand finale saw Kim present a meticulously crafted dishes that wowed judges and were also paired with Tinhorn Creek’s 2019 Blanc de Blanc Sparkling from Oliver, BC.
“I am truly humbled and deeply grateful for this honour,” said Kim. “This victory belongs to my incredible team at Glowbal and Five Sails, particularly my Sous Chef Jitin Kapoor, whose unwavering support was invaluable. We are thrilled to bring this recognition home to British Columbia’s dynamic culinary community.”
Kim is the fourth BC-based chef to claim the title, following celebrated chefs Melissa Craig, Alex Chen, Roger Ma, and Jasper Cruickshank. His success reflects his Korean heritage and the inspiration he drew from cooking alongside his grandmother during his formative years.
Since emigrating to Canada as a teenager, Kim has built an impressive career at top establishments, including Fairmont properties and Vancouver’s Shangri-La Hotel. He joined Glowbal in 2021 and now leads Five Sails with distinction.
Glowbal Restaurant Group CEO Emad Yacoub praised Kim, stating, “Alex’s expertise, dedication, and mentorship have elevated our culinary offerings. We are beyond proud of this incredible achievement.”
The Canadian Culinary Championship celebrates Canadian excellence in food, sport, and music while raising funds for charitable causes, including Spirit North and MusiCounts.
Author Profile
- Helen Siwak is the founder of EcoLuxLuv Communications & Marketing Inc and publisher of Folio.YVR Luxury Lifestyle Magazine and PORTFOLIOY.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine. She is a prolific content creator, consultant, and marketing and media strategist within the ecoluxury lifestyle niche. Helen is the west coast correspondent to Canada’s top-read industry magazine Retail-Insider, holds a vast freelance portfolio, and consults with many of the world’s luxury heritage brands. Always seeking new opportunities and challenges, you can email her at [email protected].
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