Eps #3027
Kids in the Hall
Survival
is the name of the culinary game at Edmonton’s non-profit ‘Kids in the
Hall' Bistro that works to keep street kids off the street. Michael
lends a hand to tonight’s all-important fundraiser that will keep the
program afloat. But keeping the youth focused on their personal goals
proves to be the real challenge.
Eps #3028
Food Critic
Jamie
Maw is one of North America’s toughest and most respected food critics.
But what does a food critic do? Jamie has selected a newly opened
Italian restaurant in Vancouver to be the subject of his latest review.
We’ll see how he evaluates Bis Moreno and whether they cut the mustard.
Michael takes us behind the scenes to witness the pressure and problems
Chef Moreno Miotto encounters as Jamie Maw puts Bis Moreno under his
culinary microscope.
Eps #3029
Airline Catering
Air
Canada is launching a new premium meal service for their business
class. Michael visits Air Canada’s R&D in Montreal where they
explain the concept and execution of the new menu and its dishes; as
well as point out the various elements that did not work. Michael
then visits CARA Foods in Toronto, the largest airline kitchen in North
America, where they prep 50,000 meals a day. Then it’s onto the
plane where Michael tries and comments on the presentation and taste of
the new meal service.
Eps #3030
Army Food
Michael
gets more than a taste of the life as an Armed Forces Reservist in a
field-training kitchen. In the course of a 15-hour day, the field
kitchen makes a company move; it comes under fire; feeds troops in the
field; and pulls off a 5-course dinner for VIP’s. The “green”
Reservists get pushed to their limits.
Eps #3031
Sicilian Baby Shower
Sonya
Gianvito is about to have her first baby and her best friend Paula
Faiella, a Toronto caterer, wants to surprise her with a baby shower
Sonya will never forget! And, just to up the ante, Paula invited
Michael to help her cook a few traditional Italian dishes for this
secret soiree. Can they keep the Shower a secret, and what does Michael
have up his sleeve for Sonya’s special day?
Eps #3032
First Nations Food
Michael
travels to Waskaganish in James Bay to see how First Nation Cree’s are
passing on the traditions of the past to their youth. The elders take
Michael up the Rupert River to a traditional Cree camp that has been
used by the Cree for thousands of years to catch whitefish in an
ingenious stone weir. But what Michael’s really wondering - what’s in
the pot? Groundhog perhaps?
Eps #3033
New York Consulate
Michael
gets a lesson in diplomacy when he visits Consul General Pamela Wallin
at her home in New York City. Ms. Wallin is hosting a dinner for
the cast of “Dream a Little Dream”, which has just finished a
successful Broadway run. Politics, entertainment, and great food
mix in this episode where front of the house diplomacy, and back of the
house tension delivers a first class meal fit for Broadway stars.
Eps #3034
Cirque du Soleil
Michael
runs away with the circus and finds that life under the big top is a
big challenge. How do you feed a troupe of 350 people from around the
globe, especially when finding specific ingredients, such as for those
for an authentic Chinese dish, can be a major problem in the different
cities they visit? Michael learns about the coding system that
helps to alleviate the language barrier between the kitchen and the
performers. He witnesses first hand the problems the troupe faces as
they travel from city to city.
Eps #3035
Chinese Moon Festival
The
Chinese Moon Festival is the second most important day in the Chinese
calendar and Michael joins Chef Katherine Chim as she teaches an Asian
cooking class how to make Moon Cakes. They’re a unique pastry based on
a thousand year old myth. But that’s just a small part of the
celebration… it’s a time for family gatherings and Michael enters into
the kitchen to get a lesson in cooking Chinese.
Eps #3036
James Beard Dinner
North
American Culinary icon James Beard’s spirit of excellence in the
culinary arts is celebrated for the first time in Canada at Toronto’s
Metropolitan Soho. Seven of Canada’s top chefs are creating a tasting
menu that has serious foodies from both sides of the border in
attendance. While it’s a chance for Canada’s culinary talent to shine,
it’s not going to be easy fitting seven egos into one small kitchen.
The chaotic final hour of prep is a real test of patience and
cooperation for each chef involved.
Eps #3037
Tailgate Party
It’s
Sunday afternoon and thousands of football fans are camped out at their
team’s stadium, tailgating… From the basic hibachi to the more
elaborate grill you haul along behind your vehicle, they are there in
droves to share recipes, team stats, and most of all to support their
team. Michael joins ‘Tailgating Russ’ in Philadelphia, for a game
between the Eagles and New Orleans Saints. The theme for the day
is Mardi Gras... where they cook giant gumbo, crawfish, etc. reflecting
a New Orleans menu.
Eps #3038
Pastry Chef
Pastry
Chef Eddie Hales, of the Four Seasons Hotel in Philadelphia, enlists
Michael to help him create a one of a kind dessert. The National
Association of Catering Executives is holding their President’s Ball at
the hotel and they expect to see something truly original for their
‘Ice & Fire’ themed dinner. Before the dinner however, they
need to create and approve a new dessert for Saturday night’s dessert
menu at the hotels ‘Fountain Restaurant’.
Eps #3039
Sushi
Tojo
is North America’s best sushi chef. Join Michael and the master’s
apprentices as they learn how Tojo selects fresh fish, care for the
world’s sharpest knives and marries ancient tradition with modern
creativity. It takes 12 years just to master the rice but Michael will
try to learn how in one day! In addition to this, Tojo is
competing in the Komochi Konbu competition in which Michael is a judge.