It’s happening! As Café My House Chef Briana Kim, who took home gold in the Ottawa segment of November’s Gold Medal Plates competition, preps for the upcoming Canadian Culinary Championships, her fellow chefs are planning the “takeover” of her kitchen.

Chef Kim heads to Kelowna for the Culinary Championships on February 2 and 3 — that’s when 10 fellow chefs will swoop in, keeping Café My House open while she goes for gold against top chefs from around the country.

Here in Ottawa, it’s a once-a-year opportunity to be wined and dined by five stellar chefs at one sitting. Bonus: They’ll all be stretching their talents for a fully vegan evening.

The details: Dinner begins at 6pm on both Friday, February 2, and Saturday, February 3. Five chefs, one sumptuous menu priced at $100 (with an optional wine pairing for $55). Reserve through Café My House (613-733-0707 or ask@cafemyhouse.com).

The chefs: It’s a great lineup of chefs on each of the two nights. You likely know them all, but City Bites has included a quick one-line primer just in case. The beauty will be in the magic that happens with all these superstars rubbing shoulders in one kitchen.

Friday, February 2 

Joe Thottungal (The silver winner at last year’s Canadian Culinary Championships is the hotly anticipated headliner on both takeover nights.)

Michael Holland (The Holland’s Cake and Shake owner may design a Gold Medal Plates-themed dessert like he did at last year’s takeover at Coconut Lagoon. Here’s hoping.)

Justin Champagne (Atelier’s sous-chef is bound to dream up some molecular madness.)

Jamie Stunt (He’s been known in the past for his veg-forward menus for Oz Kafe and Bar Soif à Vin, so Dish Catering’s Stunt will find making vegan magic a breeze.)

Kevin Benes (The owner of the much-lauded Carben Food + Drink on Welly West is known for daringly pretty plates.)

Saturday February 3

Joe Thottungal (He’s back for a second night!)

Stephen LaSalle (The busy chef from Market hotspot Hotel Andaz was at last year’s takeover and is now back to do it all again.)

Jason Sawision (Another Atelier connection — Sawision recently went solo and opened up Stofa on Wellington St. Check him out here and visit his new restaurant ASAP.)

Jeff Bradfield (An alumnus of Social and Erling’s Variety, Bradfield is also a new restaurant owner. He’s the main man at food- and beer-forward Bar Lupulus on Wellington.)

Steve Harris (The chef-owner of Preston Street’s ever-popular Two Six {Ate}, Harris took bronze at this year’s Gold Medal Plates.)

City Bites Hot Tip: Just one. Book immediately! Heck, book for both nights. The chef takeover only happens once a year and will give you food for thought for the next 12 months. Besides, what else are you doing on a Friday or Saturday night in February?