Genalyn Dioso of Prince Albert is up against two other chefs for the Sask. Tourism Employee of the Year award. (file photo/paNOW)

By Susan McNeil

Tourism Award

Prince Albert chef named finalist for top provincial award

Sep 19, 2025 | 6:00 AM

Patrons of the dining room at the Northern Lights Casino in Prince Albert already have first-hand knowledge of how good the food prepared by Chef Genalyn Dioso tastes, but soon that message will spread to other parts of the province.

Dioso is one of three people in the running for an Award of Excellence from Hospitality Saskatchewan after being nominated by her employer, the Sask. Indian Gaming Authority, which runs seven casinos in the province.

“They just sent me the email today, confirming that ‘you are one of the three nominees for the final round’,” she said. “So, I was kind of elated for knowing that.”

Dioso came to Canada 16 years ago from the Philippines on a work permit for Smitty’s, but always had her sights set high.

She had her own restaurant at home but wanted to move.

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“I was just a cook at Smitty’s and a kitchen manager. I was not a chef yet during that time,” she said.

After years of working at Smitty’s, she kept applying at the casino until she was hired as a full-time server after being turned down for other positions.

“I said, OK, I’ll take it. I have no experience in doing serving as a server job, but I’ll take it.”

Five months later, they moved her into the kitchen as sous chef, where she stayed for four years before successfully getting the executive chef position.

“That’s where my achievement of being a real chef started. Being in that position, it opened so many doors.”

What also helped, she said, is having a supportive employer that is willing to give learning opportunities and growth in her career.

Dioso is part of the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Commission board that creates the curriculum for Red Seal cooks and has won the best local chef award in Prince Albert for eight years running.

She has more accolades under her belt but said there is a winning combination for excelling in her chosen field.

“It’s the knowledge, the theoretical knowledge and the experience and the passion. Because if you’re not passionate in what you’re doing, you will fail, that’s for sure.”

Another unique thing for diners tasting Dioso’s recipes is her dedication to combining her own heritage with traditional Indigenous foods, since her employer is an Indigenous organization.

“I think that’s what makes me win all this competition, is the Indigenous part and my Asian descent,” she said.

When she attends the awards Dinner on September 24 to hear who the winner will be, Dioso will have her husband and several of SIGA’s top management as her support system.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

On BlueSky: @susanmcneil.bsky.social