Fourteen Days of Poutine: Fanciful Fries arrive around Kootenay Lake

The local restaurants around Kootenay Lake have created these incredible takes on the traditional Quebecois dish. Taking the classic combination of fries, gravy, and cheese curds to the nth degree, it’s Canada’s favourite cheat meal like you’ve never seen before.

2023 Winners

Congratulations to the 2023 winners:

• Most Unique 1st place Chez Serge, 2nd place Cantina Del Centro and 3rd place Hume Hotel & Spa
• Best Tasting 1st place Chez Serge, 2nd place Cantina Del Centro and 3rd place The Royal
• Best Presentation 1st place Chez Serge, 2nd place Cantina Del Centro and 3rd place The Ktunaxa Grill
• Most Creative Name 1st place Cantina Del Centro (Birri-Ya Face Into This Poutine), 2nd place Chez Serge (The Crowded Poutine) and 3rd place Vienna Cafe (No Country For Old Hen)

You can still take a peek at the 2023 Poutine Menu.

Participating Restaurants

With 27 restaurants signed up across Nelson, Kaslo, Balfour, Crescent Valley and Ainsworth Hot Springs, here's the list of who is bringing a fresh take on this Quebecois classic. 

2023 Event Details

• Runs from April 10 to April 23
• 27 participating restaurants in both Nelson and Kaslo
• All poutines are $15, full-sized and delicious

Vote for your favourites before midnight April 24, from these three judging categories:

• Best Presentation
• Best Tasting
• Most Original

The winners will be announced by The Nelson Star. 

Thank you to the Black Press and our local Nelson Star for organizing this annual contest, all the chefs and restaurants who invest time and energy to make amazing poutine, and to you, for going out and trying all these incredible creations.

BUT WHAT IS POUTINE?

If you’re visiting from outside of Canada, poutine may not be a familiar restaurant staple. In a nutshell, it’s a dish originating from the French-Canadian province Quebec; with the three essential ingredients being fries, cheese curds, and hot gravy. If it doesn’t have real curds, it ain’t poutine. Past these ingredients your imagination is the only limit, and that’s where this contest lives. Nothing is off limits as local chefs work to blow your mind and take home the crown. Put your beach body worries aside and dive headfirst into two glorious weeks of deep-fried, cheesy goodness.

TRYING TO FIND A PARTICULAR RESTAURANT?

Check out our interactive map of Eat and Drink places around Kootenay Lake. 

WANT TO WALK OFF A FEW OF THOSE FRIES?

The Kootenay Lake Road Trip App is a new experience offering fun and informative self-guided audio tours around Kootenay Lake. You can enjoy the tours in the privacy of your car, walking or even on your bike.

Nelson Kootenay Lake Tourism, in collaboration with the Nelson District Arts Council, have developed a fully-immersive self-guided tour of the Murals of Nelson! Download our road trip app today to experience an audio-visual enhanced tour of nearly 50 murals centred around Downtown Nelson.

If you're in Kaslo, try out a new and unique audio tour experience that will guide you on a forest bathing journey along the Kaslo River Trail. Let us take you on journey along the Kaslo River Trail that flows beside the lively Kaslo River with mossy banks, bright bridges and hidden sculptures, all unveiled to capture your curiosity. Local character Dan from KORTS (Kaslo Outdoor Recreation & Trails Society), will guide you along the path with fun facts and history about the trail. Kaslo musician, Diemm, will mesmerize you with poetic meditations and music to enhance the magical experience. 

Kootenay Lake Road Trip App

The 2022 14 Days of Poutine

Congratulations to the 2022 winners:

Chez Serge located in Kaslo, BC won in all 3 categories. Best Presentation, Best Tasting, Most Unique

• Best Presentation 2nd place Cantina Del Centro and 3rd place Finleys
• Best Tasting 2nd place Finleys and 3rd place Uptown Sports Bar
• Most Unique 2nd place Jackson Hole and 3rd place Uptown Sports Bar

#FindingAwesome | #ExploreKootenayLake