Canadian Celebrity Chef and Restauranteur Mark McEwan is known for thrilling the tastebuds of his most influencial clientele and also Canadians, many who know him as head judge on Top Chef Canada. He takes his talent and charisma to a new platform with upcoming Webseries, CHEF TO CHEF, presented by Centennial College and Grub Content.
The highly-digestible new show has McEwan chatting intimately – no expletives spared – with top Canadian culinary forces. They share their journeys and their paths to success, their struggles and their own culinary pleasures. Episode one has him chatting with Bar Isbael and The Black Hoof founder Grant van Gameren, snacking on canned seafood, crisps and espresso. van Gameren despite having risen to the top of the culinary scene in Toronto describes himself as feeling “stressed, overworked and broke” as ever before, clearing the misconception that he has large financial backer. He admits to having had to refinance his own home to fund a new creative space for his company. “People are emotionally-hungry more than ever. They want to eat, but also are craving a feeling”, he says about today’s diners.
Hosted at Centennial College‘s Event Centre, the affair curated by Shalit Foods, brought out a full house to screen episode one of CHEF TO CHEF. The Series has its sights set on up to ten episodes. Episode two features PICK 6IX founder Chef Antonio Park. Guests dined on some exquisite fare including Oysters and Bacon Lobster Cheeseburger Sliders by Sand & Pearl (Suzanne Barr), Ceviche Verde and Sikorsiki Spicy Chorizo (Victor Dries), Fabrica’s Classic Pepperoni Pizza Al Taglio and Fois Gras Mousse Crostini (Mark McEwan), Gnocchi (Centennial College School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts), Desserts by Delysèes (Fred Naggar) and more. Cocktails were crafted by Shangri La Hotel’s Kevin Reuschel.
McEwan may or may not have saw us trying to down his delectable Fois Gras Mousse Crostini in one bite and cheered us on. 😳
We even spotted Chef Matt Basile (Lisa Marie, Fidel Gastro’s) out showing his support!
See some Snaps of the night below. Hover cursor left and right to navigate slideshow:
CHEF TO CHEF episode one streams Friday, July 5, 2018. Episode two is to come later in July.
Learn more at http://www.cheftochef.ca.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Originating in 2010, Chef’s Challenge: The Ultimate Battle for a Cure takes place once again in Toronto’s west-end next month. Coming to do good in support of Mount Sinai Hospital are a Who’s-Who of Culinary Greats, headlined by the bubbly Giada De Laurentiis! The Event thus far has raised over $3 million towards the care and research of Women’s Cancers. The Top 50 Fundraisers will have a chance to compete alongside De Laurentiis even.
This year’s Roster of personalities include:
− Giada de Laurentiis (Giada at Home)
− Scott McGillivray (Income Property)
− David Rocco (David Rocco’s Dolce Vita)
− Mark McEwan (Top Chef Canada)
− Vikram Vij (Vij’s Restaurant/Vij’s Railway Express)
− Bal Arneson (Spice Goddess)
− John Catucci (You Gotta Eat Here)
− Grant van Gameren (Bar Isabel)
− Maggie McKeown (Donut Showdown)
The Challenge takes place Saturday, February 8, 2014 at the Toronto Congress Centre.
Learn more on its Official Website here.
“Like” the Chef’s Challenge on Facebook here.
(Photo credit: Food Network)
From the same Creators as the ever-popular One of a Kind Show, comes the Delicious Food Show, now in its second year. Taking place over three days this weekend at the Better Living Centre on Canadian National Exhibition grounds, the Event features 300+ Exhibitors, Workshops and appearances from a Who’s-Who of Canadian Celebrity Chefs including Mark McEwan, Chuck Hughes, Lynn Crawford, David Rocco and Nadia G.
In Toronto today to kick-off the Show was Multimedia Mogul Martha Stewart, who in addition to demonstrating a Cake-Baking in support of her latest Cookbook, Martha Stewart’s Cakes, also met with 100 Fans who purchased the Book on-location. Gracefully, she zipped her way through the line, armed with a Sharpie and an enamouring smile, occasionally looking-up to pose for a quick Snap.
Earlier in the day, Stewart fielded questions from a mixture of Digital, Online, Print and Television Media as she reflected on her own Success Story, giving-out tips for on how to be a craftier Entertainer at home to Guests. On the influence of Online Media in this day and age, she says “There are many Bloggers imparting knowledge to a lot of people and I think that certainly is the way of now and the future.”.
I asked Stewart from her Collection of Cake Recipes, which she’d recommend for those like me who are constantly on-the-go with little time to bake. “I’d start with one of the Skillet Cakes or a simple Bundt Cake which has a total of five ingredients. It’s pretty foolproof”, she states. “As long as you have an oven and a mixer, you’re set”.
She also touches upon her influences and in addition to ensuring that her Driver always takes a different route when driving through New York City each day so that she can soak-up new inspirations, she reveals, “Great Chefs inspire me. I eat out a lot and I’m constantly visiting with great Chefs and Bakers. I appreciate the knowledge they impart.”.
On entertaining with little notice, Stewart swears by some good, strong Cocktails served to Guests on a tray. “The Caipirinha is a great Icebreaker, as is the Bourbon Sour, or even an icy Martini”, proclaims the Domestic Goddess.
Opening its doors at 11:00 AM, Patrons enjoyed some fabulous offerings at super-reasonable price points from popular Local Businesses. Delectable Oysters from Oyster Boy; scrumptious Meat Pies from Kanga, buttery Lobster Rolls from Buster’s Sea Cove Food Truck; always amazing Tacos from Gourmet Gringos’ Food Truck; Lobster Guacamole from Canyon Creek Chophouse and positively delectable Macarons, Cookies, Lemon Meringue Tarts and Cakes from Petite & Sweet, which had even Stewart raving as she cut into a Celebration Cake designed by them to ring-in the occasion.
I found myself obsessed particularly with Soda Stream, a do-it-yourself-at-home Soda Machine with an array of available Syrups ranging from Kool-Aid to Crystal Light. I even enjoyed a Killer Mojito made from the Machine and it was one of the best I’ve ever had. I will not deny that I also was a little excited to see an array of British imports available via Mrs. Bridges’ British Bakery and I do admit to stocking-up on some Marks & Spencer Cookies, while noticing a super-cool variety of Goodies including a never-seen-before Maltesers Chocolate Bar.
I had the pleasure of getting a quick Snap with Stewart who for a long time now has been an Idol to me, having religiously watched her The Martha Stewart Show when it was easily available in Canada, and also owning a few of her Books including The Martha Rules, for aspiring Entrepreneurs. Her Drivers were seen throughout the day ushering-in gifts and purchases from Vendors at the Delicious Food Show, while her Security Guards ushered her speedily into her Vehicle after another walk through the Show as the rain began to come down and the number of Onlookers grew. “Okay, we’ve gotta be quick! I don’t want to stand in the rain!”, she said after telling me earlier in the day we’d snap a Photo at some point and although in a hurry, she was amazing still to make an exception for one Photo. She is just stunning.
For more on the Delicious Food Show, click here for a list of Vendors, Tickets and the official Schedule.
Follow on Twitter here also!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
There was pleasure to be had. With just over two weeks left before Yorkville says farewell to the Magnum Pleasure Store, I was thrilled to be invited to a Media Preview of the Shop this morning. In attendance today was none other than amazing Celebrity Chef, Mark McEwan, Head Judge of Top Chef Canada and the Man behind two of Toronto’s finest Restaurants, ONE and North 44. And have you visited his super-upscale McEwan Fine Foods at Shops at Don Mills? It is Culinary Heaven.
“I wasn’t sure what I was walking into when I was told I’d be coming to the Magnum Pleasure Store“, he jokes about the Pop-Up Shop which bears the same name as a popular Prophylactic. Although McEwan was a bit heavy-handed with the Chili Flakes the first time around – just one of 21 toppings available for customizable Ice Cream Bars – he seemed to have found his balance upon attempt number two, opting for Vanilla Ice Cream dipped in Dark Chocolate, Toffee, Chili Flakes and Sea Salt, dressed in a light White Chocolate Drizzle. “I chose from a classic standpoint with some Italian and French flavours”, he says.
Although I spot the Scotsman, his lovely Wife Roxanne and their adorable Dog Ruthie often in Yorkville (she and Billy having exchanged greetings many a time) it was nice having a proper chat with him today discussing Dogs and Ice Cream. Last time I spoke to McEwan, he was strict on not feeding Ruthie Human food, but it appears he’s budged a bit on the matter, occasionally giving her meat as a treat. I didn’t even go into Billy‘s all-human-grade food diet!
What’s in a Mr. Will Ice Cream Bar, you ask? I devoured my Vanilla Ice Cream Bar dipped in Dark Chocolate and coated with crushed Parisian Macarons, Dried Strawberries, Coconut and Rose Petals, with a light White Chocolate Drizzle. It was beautiful to both the eye and palate!
Actor Joe Manganiello was in Toronto just last week to launch the Shop. More on that here. Word is, he opted for Maple and Bacon toppings on his Ice Cream Bar, paying homage to our national flavours! Hockey Star Joffrey Lupul is expected to visit the Shop soon, as are Fashion Designers Greta Constantine.
See more Snaps:
See the handsome Reid prepare our own customized Magnum Ice Cream Bar below:
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
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