Chef Matthew Stowe Wins Title of Top Chef Canada #topchefcanada

I was invited to the Top Chef Canada finale viewing party at Cactus Club Cafe Coal Harbour tonight where Cactus Club's own Chef Matthew Stowe was celebrating, among other celebrity chefs and people from the Vancouver food scene. Invited guests had time to mingle and munch on appetizers before sitting down to view the finale and taste dishes that Chef Stowe had prepared for the judges from this past season of Top Chef Canada.

Located on Coal Harbour, this new location of Cactus Club Cafe has a gorgeous view of the water, and is right across from the Jack Poole Plaza where the Olympic Cauldron from the Vancouver 2012 Winter Olympics stands.

Watermelon Margarita: fresh squeezed watermelon juice, Cuervo Gold tequila and a splash of citrus. A new drink at Cactus Club for the summer, it is perfect for cooling off on a hot summer's day!

Various appetizers and dishes that Cactus Club offers: (clockwise from top left corner) Rob's goat cheese flatbread, ceviche, shortribs, chicken, tuna sushi cone, tuna tataki.

Chef Matthew Stowe with Cactus Restaurants president and founder, Richard Jaffray.

As soon as Top Chef Canada started airing, everyone was watching with rapt attention while enjoying these delicious creations by Matt Stowe.

Curry cauliflower soup with dried apricots, currants, and toasted almonds.

Maple leaf slider - maple pork patty, bacon and rickards beer jam, fresh apple slaw and challah bun.

Roasted banana and coconut tapioca with tropical fruits and a macadamia nut crumble.

Everyone was focused on the televisions, at the edge of their seats.

Richard Jaffray with Chef Stowe and his family, waiting to hear who won the title of Top Chef Canada.

And the winner is Matthew Stowe!!!

A very popular man tonight, Chef Matthew Stowe had a second to spare for a photo with me.

There were of course some amazing people at the event as well. It was lovely to see everyone!

Clockwise: The Food Gays, Fable's Trevor Bird with TCC's contestant Dan Hudson, Little Locavore, Follow Me Foodie, Cactus Club's executive chef Rob Feenie

It was a very exciting night for Chef Matthew Stowe and the Cactus Club restaurants, and everyone at the viewing party was extremely happy for his win. It was a fun night, the company was great and the food was delicious. Cactus Club sure knows how to throw a good party! Congratulations again to Chef Stowe!

Learn more about Top Chef Canada here, or follow Chef Matt Stowe on Twitter. Find out more about Cactus Club Cafe by following them on Facebook or Twitter.