Chef Allan Williams, a Research and Development Chef in Canada's Smartest Kitchen, was named Atlantic Canadian Chef of the Year during the Canadian Culinary Federation's Atlantic Conference in Charlottetown recently.

The Atlantic Chef of the Year award recipient is selected from nominees from each of the Atlantic Provinces at the Canadian Culinary Federation's regional annual general meeting by branch presidents.

Chef Allan is the President of the PEI Chapter of the Federation and has contributed greatly to the food service industry through his role in Canada's Smartest Kitchen, the research arm of The Culinary Institute of Canada. He continues to work diligently to promote Island products and food producers.

Austin Clement, Program Manager of Culinary and Hospitality Programs at Holland College's Culinary Institute of Canada, said he was pleased with the selection of Chef Allan for this honour.

"Chef Allan has contributed a great deal to the development of the Atlantic Region as a hot spot for all things culinary. His work as a chef has always been focused on developing an awareness of how rich in talent and products Atlantic Canada is. Allan will represent our region well as he continues to promote the federation to the next generation of chefs. He is very deserving of this honour," he said.

"It is certainly a pleasure to receive an award like this and what a wonderful feeling to nominated and recognized by your peers," Chef Allan said.

He is now in the running for Canadian Chef of the Year, which is selected at the Canadian Culinary Federation's annual meeting, taking place in Windsor Ontario, in June.