Can you stand the heat?
The Stew Showdown is back for another year to support the Westboro Region Food Bank! Which restaurant will claim the title of the best stew in Westboro Village? Join us at All Saints Anglican Church on February 7th from 2 PM to 4 PM to find out!
Last year, Lexington Smokehouse & Bar took home the trophy from our judges, and Brassica was crowned as our People’s Choice winner! But it’s anyone game this year… Who do you think can stand the heat?
Enjoy samples of stew from 8 participating eateries while listening to live music by local artist, Graven. Want to cast your vote for this year’s People’s Choice winner? Make sure to enter your ballot to cast your vote and enter to win a gift card from one of our competitors.
One ticket is required per person. Tickets can be purchased here starting December 24th. All ticket sales are directly deposited to the Westboro Region Food Bank via All Saints Anglican Church. We are thankful for their continued commitment to the community, and partnership in hosting this event.
Want to know who’s competing this year? This page will be updated as we announce our challengers, so stay tuned!
Meet the Judges
A special thank you to our judges, Melanie Brulée, Sam Laprade and Jeff Leiper, for accepting the challenging job of selecting just one winning stew again this year. We appreciate their time.
Melanie Brulée
Executive Director, Ottawa Music Industry Coalition
Melanie Brulée is a force within the Ottawa music scene. A renowned Franco-Ontarian artist, she’s graced stages across the globe, honing her craft and building a career that spans performance, touring, and various facets of the music industry. This experience provides her with invaluable insight into the needs and aspirations of artists and the intricacies of event production. But Melanie’s impact extends far beyond the spotlight. Driven by a deep commitment to community, she founded a women-led collective of songwriters and has received awards for her implication in mental health awareness.
Now, as Executive Director of the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition (OMIC), Melanie channels her passion and experience into fostering a vibrant and inclusive music ecosystem. She’s a connector, a collaborator, and an advocate, with a proven track record in organizing and executing successful events, including music showcases and award ceremonies.
Melanie’s leadership extends to key roles within the Ontario Music Cities Officers Network and the Algonquin College Music Industry Arts Advisory Committee, solidifying her commitment to advancing the music industry in Ottawa and beyond.
Sam Laprade
Host, An Hour to Give
Sam has 30 years of work in the non-profit sector, public relations, media relations and municipal politics. After graduating from Algonquin College with a PR Diploma, she was given an opportunity to work at CBC Radio and then at CBC Television and was immediately hooked. Through various positions, she has built a strong community network in the Ottawa area.
She says, “Raising funds for important causes that save lives and change lives is the most rewarding part of my work. The hospital, the humane society and a homeless shelter are all important causes that I have worked for through the years.”
Her work with Gryphon Fundraising, an donor-database auditing and consulting firm, has provided the opportunity for her to work with non-profits all over the world, including non-profits in Canada, the United States and Australia.
Jeff Leiper
Councillor – Ward 15 Kitchissippi
Jeff Leiper is a former community association activist working in Kitchissippi on a wide spectrum of issues and neighbourhood events. He was first elected in 2014, and has served as Chair of the Information Technology Sub-committee and vice-Chair of the Transportation Committee. He has also been a member of the Planning and Environment Committees as well as the Transit Commission. He worked closely with Mayor Watson to develop a music strategy for Ottawa, and continues his advocacy efforts on behalf of Ottawa’s arts and culture sectors. He is a vocal proponent of cycling in Ottawa.
Jeff studied at the University of Ottawa and Algonquin College, obtaining degrees in history and English, and a diploma in print journalism. He has worked as a trade journalist and analyst in the information and communications technology industry. He also served as a manager and executive at Canada’s broadcasting and telecommunications regulator. Jeff lives with his partner Natalie in Hintonburg.
