Chef Jeremy Charles
Chef Jeremy Charles is one of Canada's most celebrated chefs. He has spent time cooking in Montreal and Chicago but missed the ingredients he loved most in his native Newfoundland. He returned to the region to work at Atlantica, a restaurant in Portugal Cove. There, Charles developed his signature style, combining Newfoundland's traditions with new techniques and contacts for fresh game.
The chef is a Newfoundland native and co-owner of two restaurants, Raymonds in St. John's and the Merchant Tavern in Montreal. He recently took a group of chefs from Montreal on a tour of his home province. At Raymond's, he treated them to the sound of fried cod, and on Red Indian Lake, he prepared a feast fit for kings.
Chef Michael Robbins
If you're a Top Chef Canada fan, you've undoubtedly heard about Canadian Chef Michael Robbins. He was the first contestant to be eliminated from the fourth season of the reality cooking competition show. His audition video stressed that he's "extremely competitive," and the viewers got a taste of what was to come.
Robbins describes his cooking style as "Modern Canadian." His menu features side stripe prawns, grilled lamb neck, and chocolate-covered fried chicken skin. Robbins' restaurant is as fun and quirky as his dishes. His décor includes re-cast Game Boys and Lego art. If you're looking for a unique dining experience, AnnaLena is an excellent choice.
Chef Justin Leboe
Chef Justin Leboe has become one of Canada's most respected chefs. He owns Model Milk, a restaurant recognized by the World's Best Restaurants Academy. Leboe has also worked under some of the world's finest chefs, including at Daniel in New York City, The French Laundry in Napa, California, and Waterloo House in Bermuda. His restaurant was named a Top New Restaurant in 2015, and he has been recognized as one of Canada's 100 Best Most Innovative Chefs for the past two years.
Leboe is passionate about giving back and has contributed to various causes throughout his career. He has run marathons for charity and is an active member of the Brown Bagging for Calgary's Kids Society. In 2016, he was part of a group of chefs who sponsored 10,000 school lunches. In addition to his contributions to the culinary world, Leboe founded two restaurants in Calgary that critics have praised.
Chef Grant van Gameren
Known for his experimental food at The Black Hoof restaurant, Grant van Gameren is a well-known Toronto chef. He has also opened the acclaimed Bar Raval and Tennessee Tavern. In 2016, Bar Raval was named one of the top 10 restaurants in Canada. He has several new projects, including a cocktail bar called Pretty Ugly and a mescal bar.
A native of Toronto, Grant van Gameren barely left his hometown until he was 30. His mother, Evelyn, died of colon cancer at a young age. His father, John, raised him and his three siblings in the neighborhoods of Dufferin and Bloor. As a child, Grant had no memory of his mother's cooking. His father, however, taught him all the basics of the culinary world.
Chef Emma Cardarelli
A talented Quebec chef, Emma Cardarelli hails from Montreal and is known for her Italian specialties and fresh pasta. Cardarelli studied psychology and English at McGill University and attended the Institut de Tourisme et Hostellerie de Quebec. After graduating, she worked in Frederic Morin's and David MacMillan's kitchens. In 2011, Cardarelli opened her restaurant, Nora Gray. The restaurant specializes in Italian and French cuisine.
Cardarelli's passion for cooking prompted her to attend the ITHQ culinary institute when she was just 23 years old. She wanted to learn French and was encouraged by a Quebecois who had previously studied at the institute. This was a good opportunity for her, as she was able to hone her skills under the tutelage of the legendary Morin.
