The Culinary Federation of Canada
Bestows Its Top Award on Windsor Chef
Story by Matthew St. Amand
Photography by John Liviero
In a world where most food consumed by people is processed, pre-packaged, or emerges from a drive-thru window, the simple act of preparing meals has never been more of an artform. And as much as top chefs in charge of industrial kitchens are portrayed as shouting tyrants—sometimes the whipcrack of terse words are needed to keep the choreography going in the undemocratic confines of the kitchen—a lot of love goes into the meals that are prepared there.
No one exemplifies this more than Windsor’s own Chef Adelina Sisti-DeBlasis, the 2023 recipient of the National Chef of the Year award from the Culinary Federation of Canada. Founded in 1963, the federation is a Canadian association of professional chefs and cooks. Each year, they recognize three Regional Chefs of the Year and one National Chef of the Year. Adelina is only the second person from Windsor to win National Chef of the Year (Hans Bueschkens won in 1974) and she is the third female chef to win since 1965.
“I did not believe I was going to win,” Chef Adelina says. “The other nominees were equally deserving!”
The road to this top honour has been anything but a straight line. Adelina grew up in a kitchen, cooking primarily with her mother, Immacolata Sisti—though Adelina’s father, Ferruccio, was always her biggest cheerleader.
“My mom was a wonderful cook,” Adelina remembers. “She cooked at the Ciociaro Club and passed away the year she was going to retire. She was very well known at the club for her culinary contributions. She was my biggest inspiration to get into culinary.”
Adelina’s earliest career plans, however, did not include the kitchen.
“I was actually in dental,” she continues, “but later in life, when I had children, I started a catering business, which I ran for twenty-five years. This was very rewarding but could not have happened without the support of my sister, retired teacher Anna Maria, and my dad doing all the sous chef prepping!”
During her catering years, people referred to Adelina as “Chef.”
“I didn’t feel I deserved that prestige,” she recalls, “so I went back to school to earn that title.”
Adelina graduated at the top of her culinary class and was asked to teach at the college afterward. Soon after, she earned her Bachelor of Education degree. After doing some one-off cooking classes in an area high school, administrators saw how motivating her approach was to the young chefs and suggested that Adelina remain at the high school level. She did—thinking: “Maybe I can make a difference in that role.”
Today, she teaches at P.A.S.S. Secondary School and is an instrumental part of the Community Kitchen Program.
Adelina continues: “I always tell my students the Julia Childs’ quote: ‘Find something you are passionate about and stay tremendously interested in it.’ Education is never lost. It doesn’t matter how old you are, you can always learn. The day you stop learning is the day you stop living.”
To be considered for National Chef of the Year, Adelina was nominated and won the Chef of the Year for the Culinary Federation Central Region in April 2023. From there she and two other chefs from across Canada—east and west coast winners—were eligible for the top honour.
“This recognition is based on an individual’s outstanding culinary skills, culinary contributions across Canada, dedication, and professionalism,” Adelina says.
It is the highest single achievement within Canada in the culinary sector. As part of the honour, Adelina was knighted with the Ceremonial Steel.
“I am still taking it all in!” she says. “I’m still me, doing my thing, still teaching. I love my students. My goal is to inspire some of them to move forward in the hospitality and tourism trade, and the culinary world.”
Adelina has been very grateful to her family for their continued love and support: her husband, Piero, and her children Dario, Annessa, and Alessio. Not everyone has been here to see Adelina achieve this success. Her father joined her mother by passing away last year. But they are here in spirit.
When Adelina is not busy with her students at P.A.S.S. Secondary School, she is a support manager for the Canadian Culinary Team, which competes in the Culinary Olympics every four years. They go up against teams from around the world in two areas of competition: Restaurant of Nations—a three-course menu for more than 100 guests served at the restaurant table; and Chef’s Table—half a dozen different dishes, at a large table in front of the competition kitchens, with personal service.
Not only was it Adelina’s love of cooking that led her to becoming a chef, but among the industry’s core values is working with others, helping others.
“Mentorship is huge in culinary,” she says. “We have an obligation to help anyone who has an interest in this, to give them the knowledge we have. I don’t know any chef who wouldn’t be willing to help a young chef who wants to learn.”
Beyond helping students, Adelina is passionate about helping in her community. The issue of food scarcity is close to her heart. Currently, the Culinary Federation Windsor Chapter is pairing up with Unemployed Help Center (UHC) for an event called “Pastabilities” which will take place on October 17 at the Ciociaro Club from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“Numerous local restaurants are contributing and volunteering at this event,” Adelina explains. “We are selling tickets and one hundred percent of the proceeds will go back into the community. Attendees can cast their vote for Best Pasta/Noodle dish, though many different types of food from around the world will be represented. If you’re a foodie and care about your community, this event is for you!”
For more information about the Pastabilities event at the Ciociaro Club, visit www.uhc.ca. To learn more about the Olympic Culinary Team Canada visit culinaryteamcanada.com.
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