Future chef Caelan Taylor hopes for financial support to make it to National competition (Updated)

Caelan Taylor in the Hawks Nest Cafeteria
T. Lucas photo

Toni Lucas

Updated May 29, 2014:  Caelan has received enough funding and will be going to the National Competition June 3 - 7.

Caelan Taylor is a 16 year old grade 11 student who has attended Matthew Halton High School for the last three years. Caelan has made it to the Provincial level of the Trades Skills Competition in Foods each of those three years. This year Caelan has gone for the gold. He placed first in both the Regional and Provincial competition and has been invited to the National Level of competition.


The deadline to get his paid entrance application in is before the end of day, May 30.  Caelan is making a plea to the community to help him raise $1,600 to enter for Nationals held June 3 - 7 in Toronto. "That's not far away, I found out last Thursday," said Caelan, who admits he is nervous about the looming deadline.  Over 60% of his expenses have already been covered by the Government of Alberta and Shell. "We have to fund the remaining 40%, that comes to $1600.  Making it that far, to be in the National Competition was my goal. if I place up there and I make it to the podium, that's a bonus. It took a lot of work just to get to where I am right now."

"I have always had a passion for cooking, and as soon as I got here I heard about the competition from Yoda Taylor," explained Caelan. Yoda Taylor was the primary Foods educator at Matthew Halton School at the time.  She has since retired. Current Matthew Halton High School Chef Ian Robertson would accompany Caelan on the trip as chaperone and to offer advice and support. With the clock ticking, Robertson says he believes in Caelan. "I think his chances are really good. He has a strong performance. I don't know what the national stage looks like, nobody's been there from this area recently. If he performs like he did at Provincials there will be some level of success."

Caelan intends to become a Red Seal Chef. He has looked into Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
(SAIT) training, and would like to follow that accomplishment with training in Hospitality Management. "I intend to get into hospitality management. So cooking is is a way into the industry." He says his favorite cooking show is Top Chef Canada.
Chef Robertson explained that "Caelan really does have a good shot at winning at Nationals, but in order to get there, we are going to need community support in order to help get us there.  Every little bit helps."

Robertson says that donations can be arranged through Matthew Halton High School, making it possible to give the tax deductible receipts for donations.

To donate contact Matthew Halton High School at 403-627-4414 or contact Chef Ian Robertson at robertsoni@lrsd.ab.ca ​

Related link: www.skillscanada.com