Celebrity Cooking Stage
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Saturday, February 11, 2023 | 10:00 am to 6 pm
Sunday, February 12, 2023 | 10:00 am to 5 pm
Meet our Emcee
Nicole Porter
Nicole Porter is a Stress Coach, Wellness Educator, Registered Holistic And Nutritional Therapist, with training in mindfulness-based stress reduction and behaviour change. Nicole developed The Hidden Stress Framework, helping stressed out professionals overcome the Top 10 Unhealthy Habits that prevent optimal health. Nicole combines personal experience with formal education to provide a realistic, evidence-based, and empowering approach to wellness. Nicole Porter Wellness has been recognized as one of the Top 10 Corporate Wellness Service companies in Canada, Nutritionist of the Year in British Columbia, Best Nutritionist in Vancouver, Best Work/Life Specialist and Best Wellness Coach and Educator in British Columbia.
11:00 AM
Simple Sauerkraut, Mango Chutney and Turmeric Ginger Soda
with Emillie Parrish
Sponsored by: Fermenting for Foodies
About the Presenter:
Emillie is a home cook and blogger who draws on her background in science to fuel her interest in fermentation. Her recently released cookbook, Fermenting Made Simple, is the winner of the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards for 2022.
12:00 PM
Caribbean Inspired Mac and Cheese
with Maureen Simon from Nesters along with Nicholas Simon
Sponsored by: Little Qualicum Cheeseworks
About the Presenters:
CEO of Maureen’s Natural Foods and representing Nesters Market at the Wellness Show, Chef Maureen has been in the food manufacturing business for over 30 years. She recreates popular traditional Caribbean dishes for the Western pallet and specializes in healthy West Coast flavours.
Nicholas Simon Is a food sales executive and an aspiring chef training under the tutelage of Maureen and Chef Ryan McDonald, who leads the innovative culinary team at Save On Foods and Urban Fair.
1:00 PM
Miso Baked Salmon and Sautéed Scallops
with Chef Hidekazu Tojo from Tojo’s Restaurant
Sponsored by: Tide to Table
About the Presenter:
Chef Tojo has received a long list of awards and accolades and is respected as a Master Chef for his extraordinary ability to prepare Japanese cuisine. In 2016, the Japanese government honoured Chef Tojo a Goodwill Ambassador for Japanese Cuisine, the top tier of Japanese chefs in the world. He was the first to introduce Omakase to Vancouver’s culinary scene and is the creator of countless dishes, the most influential being the ‘Inside out Tojo Roll’, now known as the “California Roll.” Among Tojo’s creations are the BC Roll, Rainbow Roll, Golden Roll and Spider Roll.
2:00 PM
Easy Vegan and Gluten-free Nourishing Garlicky Green Soup
with Zuzana Fajkusova and Nikki Lefler from Active Vegetarian
Sponsored by: Active Vegetarian
About the Presenters:
Zuzana Fajkusova & Nikki Lefler are holistic health coaches and authors of The Vegan Weight Loss Manifesto and The Plant Powered Athlete. Their mission is to share their experiences and inspire others towards a plant- based lifestyle.
3:00 PM
Stuffed Flatbread (Jingalov Hats) and Olive & Walnut Salad (Shepherd’s Dinner)
with Lena Tashjian from Vegan Armenian Kitchen
Sponsored by: Houwelings Herbs
About the Presenter:
Lena Tashjian is a nutritionist, writer, and recipe developer. She is the author of The Vegan Armenian Kitchen Cookbook, which was shortlisted for the Taste Canada Awards.
4:00 PM
Toasted Quinoa salad with Roasted BC Cranberry Dressing
with Chef Trevor Randle from BC Agriculture in the Classroom
Sponsored by: BC Cranberry
About the Presenter:
Chef Trevor Randle is the Chef for BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation (BCAITC). He promotes the value of cooking with BC grown products and plays an integral role in fostering BCAITC’s ‘Take a Bite of BC’ program in secondary school teaching kitchens.
5:00 PM
Tuna Nicoise Salad
with Chef Chris Andraza from Lift Bar and Grill
Sponsored by: BC Greenhouse Growers
About the Presenter:
Chef Andraza recognized the plethora of delicious sustainable seafood available to him in BC. He was the Executive chef at Rodney’s Oyster House was involved in the opening of Fanny Bay oyster bar. Chris spends his time developing new menu items and rejuvenating eclectic seafood dishes for Lift Bar and Grill.
11:00 AM
Superfood Smoothies
with Zuzana Fajkusova and Nikki Lefler from Active Vegetarian
Sponsored by: Taves Family Farms
About the Presenters:
Zuzana Fajkusova & Nikki Lefler are holistic health coaches and authors of The Vegan Weight Loss Manifesto and The Plant Powered Athlete. Their mission is to share their experiences and inspire others towards a plant- based lifestyle.
12:00 PM
Wild Mushroom Gnocchi with Parmesan Cream and Fresh Truffle
with Chef Sarah-Jane Curry from Tuscany Restaurant Bowen Island
Sponsored by: Little Qualicum Cheeseworks
About the Presenter:
Sarah-Jane’s passion for food started as a young girl growing up on a sailboat travelling the Caribbean. She worked in her family’s restaurant and then on yachts where she honed her culinary skills. In 2017 she bought Tuscany Restaurant serving classical Neapolitan pizza and fresh handmade pastas.
1:00 PM
Tenderloin with Spice Rub and Veggie Platter: Green Seasoned Potatoes, Jerk Roasted Mushrooms, Berber Cauliflower Puree
with Chef Cullin David from Calabash Bistro
Sponsored by: Mushrooms Canada and Hopcott Farms
About the Presenter:
Chef Cullin David grew up in Vancouver, but his knack for creating authentic island-inspired cuisine comes directly from his Caribbean background. Raised in a family of great cooks, Cullin had a craving early on to open a restaurant influenced by his grandmother’s signature West Indian cooking. His dream became reality with the opening of Vancouver’s Calabash Bistro and their line of spice rubs, sauces, and Jamaican patties.
2:00 PM
Esquite (Mexican Street Corn Salad)
with Chef Juan Carlos Dominguez from Cantina Norte
Sponsored by: Little Qualicum Cheeseworks
About the Presenter:
Originally from Córdoba, Mexico and growing up in the gastronomic world, Chef Juan Carlos recognized that Latin American culinary practices are robust with a variety of flavours and cooking processes that are passed down from generation to generation. Even though they have been adapted for use in restaurants and kitchens, he still strives to capture the magic that makes them unique and true to his home.
3:00 PM
Fragrant Curry Beef with Potatoes
with Maureen Simon from Nesters along with Nicholas Simon
Sponsored by: Hopcott Farms
About the Presenters:
CEO of Maureen’s Natural Foods and representing Nesters Market at the Wellness Show, Chef Maureen has been in the food manufacturing business for over 30 years. She recreates popular traditional Caribbean dishes for the Western pallet and specializes in healthy West Coast flavours.
Nicholas Simon Is a food sales executive and an aspiring chef training under the tutelage of Maureen and Chef Ryan McDonald, who leads the innovative culinary team at Save On Foods and Urban Fair.
4:00 PM
Apple Streusel Muffin
with Head Baker Mark Hart from Anitas Organic Mill
Sponsored by: Anita’s Organics
About the Presenter:
Mark is the head baker at Anita’s Organic Bread & Coffee and baking specialist for Anita’s Organic Mill where he provides consulting services, recipe development, and technical advice to customers. His passions are Sourdough Bread, and Viennoiserie.
