Favourite Canadian Food Stars - Best in Class

Last time, I shared with you my distractions as a result of the overwhelming amount of food porn available. Food, in and of itself, should be enough to keep one occupied with thoughts of copious consumption, but there are special people out there who just have a knack to make anything appear palate worthy. The best of these folks seem to have graduated from the same school where flavours, textures and temperatures test one's patience and fortitude. These stars are just as compelling to watch as the food, often teaching us something more profound than how to braise lamb shanks. So, I am pleased to present the Kitchen Nerd's Best in Class - Fave Canadian Food Porn Stars:


1. Mr. Congeniality - aka - Chef Michael Smith:

Warm and friendly, Chef Michael is that likeable guy everyone wants to hang out with. He cares a lot about what he does, and has a lot of fun doing it. His easy going cooking style often means he throws things together without a recipe, but he'll take the time to tell you how the ingredients work together. What he lacks in precision, he makes up with ease of preparation. You also know that if you screwed up a little, he'd shrug it off and tell you it was fine, really. (Kind of the antithesis of Chef Gordon Ramsay) Although I was somewhat disillusioned to find out that the set of 'Chef at Home' is not his actual house, you just can't stay mad at Chef Michael.




2. Class Clown - aka - Bob Blumer:

Bob, now of 'Glutton for Punishment' fame, used to drive around in a van that looked like a toaster for his first  show, 'The Surreal Gourmet'. A bit of an 'attention-whore', Bob not only likes to make unusual recipes, but likes to show off unusual techniques, such as making salmon in the dishwasher. In 'Glutton for Punishment', he takes his food adventures even further by attempting to take on extreme culinary challenges around the world. Although he failed miserably as a NYC street vendor, I'd saddle up for a mystery treat out of the toaster van anytime.


3. Most Likely to Succeed - aka - Chef Lynn Crawford:

Here's a gal after my own heart. Chef Lynn broke through the proverbial glass cutting board to become the only female executive chef at the Four Seasons in NYC. It takes more than talent to make it in the male dominated world of haute cuisine, and perhaps Lynn's moxie is what really captivates me. There was the time she nearly clocked a young Thai chef for calling her 'babe' on her hit show, 'Restaurant Makeover', but what I admire about Lynn is her warmth and genuineness. You can tell she not only loves food, but enjoys people as well, which makes her well suited for her new show, 'Pitchin' In'. I especially enjoyed the episode where she worked with the Bay of Fundy lobster fishermen and feasted on microwaved lobster. 


4. The Exchange Student - aka - Laura Calder:

I have to admit, I watch Laura on 'French Food at Home' not for the delicate pastries, or the ever-so-waist-expanding sauces, but to hear the slight twinge of Parisian francais roll off her tongue as she describes whatever it is she is making. In some ways, I see her as a more sophisticated Nigella Lawson; passionate, but not so randy that you feel the show warrants a PG14 rating. Since Laura's kitchen makes me feel like I am in France, I prefer to sit back and daydream with a nice glass of Beaujolais Nouveau while listening to her pronounce 'beurre blanc'...oh la la. 


5. The Legend - aka - Stephan Yan:

If it weren't for 'Wok with Yan', who knows where Canadian star chefs would be today. To be a chef celebrity, you need three ingredients for success: super technique, a winning personality, and crazy aprons. Remember 'Wok and Roll'? 'Wok the Heck'? or, 'Wokky Night in Canada'? I think we tuned in just to see 'wok' he'd do next. Yan was also incredibly talented with his preparation - I would love to learn how to chop just like him without injuring myself. I'm so glad this show is being re-run on the Omni channel. It reminds me of just how fun cooking should be: a full plate of love and care, not drenched in an herb-infused glaze of pretension. Even though cooking shows are now a dime a dozen, 'Wok with Yan' remains the best blend of instruction, entertainment and deliciousness you can find. Wok on!