1 week Ago By By Abiola Odutola
Brandon-based chef Casey Naherniak is once again proving that small-town roots can lead to big-time success. Read this article for free: Already have an account? As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed. Now, more than ever, we need your support.
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Brandon-based chef Casey Naherniak is once again proving that small-town roots can lead to big-time success. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? Brandon-based chef Casey Naherniak is once again proving that small-town roots can lead to big-time success. The rising culinary star has earned a spot in the North American finals of Grill Masters, a prestigious competition hosted by The Keg Steakhouse + Bar, and will represent the Manitoba/Saskatchewan region in Toronto this May.
Naherniak, who was raised in Russell and now lives in Brandon, has been cooking professionally since graduating from Assiniboine College’s culinary arts program in 2020. Her culinary journey, however, started long before that — growing up cooking alongside her grandmothers and mother, her mother and one of her grandmothers having both run restaurants during her childhood. Brandon chef Casey Naherniak prepares a meal in The Keg’s kitchen Saturday afternoon.
Naherniak has earned a spot in the North American finals of Grill Masters. (Abiola Odutola/The Brandon Sun) “I was always on a little stool in the kitchen,” she told the Sun. “Cooking has just always been part of my life.
” Her passion and dedication have brought her far. After impressing judges at a regional cook-off in Winnipeg with her creativity and skill, Naherniak is now one of 13 chefs from Keg locations across North America vying for the title of Grill Master. This will mark her second appearance at the finals; last year she placed second at the national level in Vancouver.
This year, Naherniak is bringing a new dish, which she describes as a personal tribute to her upbringing. Titled Forest and Field,” her creation features a coffee-crusted elk filet mignon cooked sous-vide and finished with a birch syrup chocolate butter sauce, accompanied by drunken amarena cherries, tangy lingonberry compote, potato pavé, wild black morel mushrooms, and sautéed peas with fresh pea shoots. She finishes it with homemade crème fraîche, crispy golden beet chips, and edible flowers she grew herself — all served on a wooden board she handcrafted with her boyfriend’s father.
“This dish isn’t just something I created for a competition,” she said. “It’s a reflection of my life — everything I grew up around and everything I love about food.” Her use of local and wild ingredients impressed judges in Winnipeg and reflects her deep connection to Manitoba’s natural bounty.
Naherniak’s love for gardening, foraging and hunting shines through in every element of her dish. Naherniak chops parsley in The Keg’s kitchen Saturday afternoon. Naherniak is headed to Toronto for the North American finals of a prestigious cooking competition.
(Photos by Abiola Odutola/The Brandon Sun) Despite her previous success, Casey remains humble heading into the Toronto finals. “I never like to compete thinking I’m going to win,” she added. “But I do have confidence in my dish.
It shows who I am.” With strong community support behind her, including encouragement from her mentor, culinary manager Jesse Coulter, who will accompany her to Toronto, she is excited not just for the competition, but for the opportunity to continue growing as a chef. Winning would mean a lot, she says.
“It would validate that I’m a good cook, and maybe it would be the push I need to open my place someday.” No matter the outcome, Naherniak is proud to represent Manitoba on a national stage — and proud to show that a little hometown spirit, paired with a lot of hard work and creativity, can go a long way. The Grill Masters North American finals will take place in Toronto on May 13.
Naherniak says her culinary journey started growing up cooking alongside her grandmothers and mother. (Photos by Abiola Odutola/The Brandon Sun) » [email protected] » X: @AbiolaOdutola Advertisement Advertisement.
