The Honourable Andrea Barbour, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, is announcing that Karen Sheriffs will be the Chef de Mission for Team NL at the 2027 Canada Games. She will work alongside the Assistant Chef de Missions Allison Sturge and Jamie Randell.
The Chef Team, which is comprised of the Chef de Mission and Assistant Chef de Missions, is appointed by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation. The team provides planning, leadership and operational support for Team NL, in partnership with Sport Newfoundland and Labrador, prior to and during the Games.
The 2027 Canada Winter Games Team NL Mission Staff will be announced in the coming weeks. Team NL Mission Staff act as a liaison between designated sport team(s), the Chef Team and the host society performing several roles, which support their designated sport team.
The 2027 Canada Winter Games are taking place in Quebec City from February 27 to March 14, 2027. The Canada Games are the country’s largest amateur multi-sport event and is held every two years, alternating between summer and winter events.
Biographies for each of the individuals are provided in the backgrounder below.
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“Team NL’s Chef Team plays a vital role in supporting our athletes and preparing them for success at the Canada Games. We are pleased to appoint a group of dedicated leaders whose experience and commitment will help ensure a positive and rewarding experience for all members of Team NL. Their leadership will be instrumental as we look ahead to the 2027 Canada Winter Games in Quebec City.”
Honourable Andrea Barbour
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
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BACKGROUNDER
Biographies for the 2027 Canada Winter Games Team NL Chef Team
Karen Sheriffs
Karen has been involved with the Canada Games since 1999, bringing unmatched experience in leading and supporting Team Newfoundland and Labrador. She has served in multiple roles across seven Games – including Mission Staff, Assistant Chef de Mission, and Chef de Mission – and served as the CEO for the Host Society at the recent 2025 Canada Summer Games in St. John’s. With more than two decades of service in the City of St. John’s Recreation Division, including ten years in management, Karen brings exceptional leadership, deep Games expertise, and a proven commitment to advancing sport in the province.
Allison Sturge
Allison Sturge acted as assistant Chef de Mission in the 2025 Canada Summer Games in St. John’s. Allison has extensive Canada Games experience with Team NL. She was an athlete in 1999 and a member of Team NL’s Mission Staff six times from 2011 through 2023. She has previously coached provincially for Team NL hockey and continues to coach with the Northeast Avalon Minor Hockey Association. Allison will also be volunteering with the Mount Pearl Marlins swim team this year.
Jamie Randell
Jamie Randell acted as the Chef de Mission for the 2025 Canada Summer Games in St. John’s. Jamie has over 20 years of experience in sport as an athlete and volunteer coach. She has extensive Canada Games experience, as a member of Team NL’s Mission Staff at the Canada Games in 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2017 and a member of the Chef Team at the Canada Games in 2022 and 2023. She was an athlete at the 1995 Canada Winter Games and was an Assistant Coach with the women’s hockey team at the 1999 Canada Winter Games.