FRED ZIMMERMAN, C.C.C.
Last updated October 2006.
Culinary Judge
Calgary, Alberta
 If a patriarch exists among Canadian chefs, it is Fred Zimmerman. With over 35 years of experience in the foodservice industry, Fred's guidance and leadership have benefited not only Culinary Team Canada but also many chefs in their individual professional development.Fred completed his culinary apprenticeship in his native Switzerland, emigrating to Canada at the age of 21. Working first at the Banff Springs Hotel, Fred's career advances took him to many of Canada's finest hotels -- Le Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City, the Hotel Georgia and Bayshore Inn in Vancouver, the Winnipeg Inn and finally to the Westin Calgary where he was Executive Chef for 23 years. His experience, high standards of excellence, pursuit of culinary innovation and personal drive underscore all his accomplishments. Fred first participated in international competition in 1976 with the Canadian Regional Team. By 1984 he was Captain of Culinary Team Alberta and in 1992 he led Team Canada to a World Championship in Frankfurt. In those same years, Fred lent his support and talent to international Canadian food promotions in Southeast Asia, introducing and expanding awareness of our indigenous food products. As a result, he was named Honorary Chef of the All Japan Cooks Association. Retirement in 1995 has not meant inactivity. Fred is currently Chairman of the National Culinary Committee and a member of the Canadian Federation of Chefs and Cooks, the Calgary Academy of Chefs and the Westin Hotel Master Chefs. And Fred is still very much involved in competition as an international judge. This is a position of not only responsibility but also influence, and so a high commendation from international peers of Fred's professional credentials, knowledge, expertise and accomplishments. Being part of award-winning teams has been gratifying, but Fred has always seen the greatest value of competitions to be the learning -- from other chefs, from the experience, from the opportunity -- and the sharing. His contributions as role model, mentor and leader have earned him a special place as a consummate professional in Canada's culinary industry. |
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Frankfurt Frankfurt Frankfurt Frankfurt Luxembourg Chicago Frankfurt Singapore Luxembourg Chicago Basel Erfurt Glasgow Erfurt |
Canada Regional Team Canada Team Alberta Team Alberta Team Alberta Team Canada Team Canada Team Canada Team Canada Team Canada Team Canada Team Canada Team Canada Team Alberta |
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Gold Gold Grand Gold Grand Gold Gold Second Overall World Champions Silver Gold Second Overall Gold Grand Gold World Champions Gold/Silver |