Taste of Stampede brings live chef competitions to the Stampede

The Calgary Stampede is launching a new culinary series this year that puts Alberta's food scene front and centre.

Taste of Stampede will feature live cooking demonstrations, competitions, and cook-offs at the BMO Centre throughout the 10 days of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. Each day highlights a different ingredient — beef, grain, bison, and more — sourced from Alberta's agri-food system.

Alberta's top chefs will compete in the inaugural Culinary Cup for a $10,000 championship title. Community groups will also face off in culinary skill challenges.

Two ticketed events anchor the series. On July 7, Canadian pastry chef Anna Olson will host a pastries-to-champagne experience. On July 9, Calgary mixologist Thom Hill will lead a molecular mixology class on "midway mixology flavour."

The Youth Agri-Food culinary challenge — which drew 40 Calgary high school students on Sunday — will return July 8, with its top four finalists competing head-to-head. Students from Grades 10 to 12 participated in the inaugural challenge, building culinary skills while learning about Alberta's agri-food system through team-based challenges. Winners share $20,000 in cash and prizes, plus mentorship opportunities with provincial food systems suppliers.

"What we've done is really lean into the amazing culinary arts within Calgary and Alberta, and create some interesting and fascinating links between what we as consumers use and cook every day at home, and our agriculture and agri-food activities we support here," said entertainment and festival experience manager Neil Christopher.

Taste of Stampede aims to inspire home cooks and youth to think differently about ingredients and explore what culinary arts can do for them.