Venice House staff pose for a victory picture. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Poutine week

Venice House crowned Gravy Bowl champion

Mar 27, 2025 | 3:17 PM

A potato skin poutine has won over Prince Albert.

Venice House, the mastermind behind the culinary masterpiece, has emerged the undisputed champion from Poutine Week, winning both the Poutine Choice award and the Gravy Bowl championship trophy.

Restaurant Manager Katie Yannacoulias said staff had lots of fun challenging themselves to sell, sell, sell, and their efforts paid off as they sold 298 poutines.

“The staff is pretty competitive here so they had a lot of fun challenging themselves to sell the poutine, and they knew it was for a really good cause, so that also really helped,” she said.

To the victor, goes the spoils. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

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Yannacoulias is not ruling out making their dish a permanent fixture on the menu. (Big Big Big Sisters Prince Albert)

Poutine Week is a fundraiser for for Big Brothers Big Sisters Prince Albert and in total $5,712 was raised to help recruit, train and support volunteers to mentor youth in the community who face adversities, helping them them gain skills, build confidence and improve their mental health and wellbeing. Ten years ago, Yannacoulias herself was a mentor for the organization and noted she is still her touch with her “Little”

“Kids are super important and every impactful mentor you can have in your life helps them grow and shapes who they become,” she said.

Over the course of the week, 1428 poutines were sold across the city. Natasha Thomson, Development Coordinator at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Prince Albert, was grateful for the community’s support.

“We want to thank Venice House for their hard work, but also want to acknowledge the contribution of every single restaurant who participated in making this event a success.”

Original Joe’s came very close to winning the Gravy Bowl this year with 267 poutines sold and popular Lulu’s Kitchen sold 208 poutines.

The PAGCC Rock & Iron sold 156 poutines; Boston Pizza sold 130; Mr. Mike’s Steakhouse sold 123; Humpty’s Big Plate Diner sold 65; Between The Buns sold 98; Ricky’s All Day Grill sold 36; Shananigan’s Bistro sold 32; and Prince Albert Brewing Co. sold 15 poutines in support of the cause.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Blue Sky: @nigelmaxwell.bsky.social