Celebrity Cooking Stage
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Saturday, February 1, 2025 | 10:00 am to 6 pm
Sunday, February 2, 2024 | 10:00 am to 5 pm
11:00 AM
The Healthy Fish Sandwich
with Matt Brennan
The ‘Healthy Fish Sandwich,’ is a play on Matt’s signature Fish Sandwich, reimagined for the wellness show! This nostalgic and delicious sandwich features Panko crusted Cod, Bread and Butter Pickles, Greek Yogurt Tartar and Aged White Cheddar on a sesame seed bun.
Sponsored by: Jack’s Chowder & Shameless Buns
About Matt Brennan:
Matt Brennan is the award winning chef and co-founder of Vancouver’s funkiest Filipino inspired food brand – Shameless Buns and the newly opened Jack’s Chowder! Matt was one of those home cooks who thought it would be a smart idea to start a food truck with ZERO experience…well almost 6 years later, he’s opened 2 food trucks, 2 restaurants, has appeared on multiple TV shows and even won Guy’s Grocery Games!
12:00 PM
Fermented Mushrooms Done In Two Ways
with Emillie Parrish
Looking to improve your gut health in a fun and flavourful way? Fermenting Made Simple is a friendly, no-fuss primer on the joys of fermented foods. Winner of the 2022 Gourmand World Cookbook Award, and short listed for the 2023 Taste of Canada Award.
Sponsored by: Fermenting For Foodies and Mushrooms Canada
About Emillie Parrish:
Emillie Parrish is a recipe developer and blogger who draws on her background in science and healthcare to fuel her interest in fermentation. You can find more of her recipes at fermentingforfoodies.com and berriesandbarnacles.com
1:00 PM
Wok-fried Green Beans and Tofu
with Amelie Nguyen
Easy 15-minute veggie recipe. Fried organic tofu, fresh green beans, and Me’s Sweet Soy
Sponsored by: Me’s Marketplace by Anh and Chi
About Amelie Nguyen:
Amélie is a local Vancouver restauranteur and creative. With a Bachelor in Human Biological Sciences and Master of Public Health, she has worked in various countries and contexts, in population and public health, equity, and diversity and inclusion. Amélie co-founded one of Vancouver’s hottest and beloved 3 x Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant, Anh and Chi. She is passionate to gather and amplify IBPOC stories and brands through community collaborations, film, media and consumer packaged goods — starting with her family’s heirloom recipes. For the first time, Anh and Chi’s artisanal sauces are not only ready for local and independent grocers, but also larger retail chains across North America.
2:00 PM
Portobello Mushroom Patties
with Andrew Hounslow
Belgard Kitchen’s very own Veggie Burger: herbed portobello mushroom patty, sunflower seed pesto aioli, alfalfa sprouts & tomato on a toasted brioche bun. This herbed portobello mushroom patties that can be used for unique veggie burgers, sandwiches, and canapes.
Sponsored by: Belgard Kitchen and Mushrooms Canada
About Andrew Hounslow:
Andrew Hounslow is the Executive Chef and Partner at Belgard Kitchen and Havana Vancouver. He began his career with Earls Restaurants, working his way up the ranks at multiple locations before finishing his tenure there in Culinary Development at their test kitchen. Andrew joined as head chef of Belgard Kitchen in 2015 before taking over the kitchen at Havana in 2018. He now splits his time between the two restaurants.
3:00 PM
Wild Sockeye Salmon Steamed in Tomato, Garlic and Mustard Seed Curry
with Meeru Dhalwala
This is a nuanced curry that’s full of matching curry flavors to sockeye salmon. With sauteed black mustard seeds and garlic, fresh tomatoes, turmeric, and cayenne pepper. Topped with cilantro.
Sponsored by: Lila Restaurant and Skipper Otto
About Meeru Dhalwala:
Chef Meeru Dhalwala is co-founder of the newly opened Lila Restaurant and of Vij’s Restaurant. She won Restaurants Canada 2024 Award for Culinary Excellence. Meeru created all the recipes and wrote three award winning Vij’s cookbooks. She is on the advisory board of UBC’s Faculty of Land and Food System
4:00 PM
Trinidad Sweet Bread
with Maureen Simon
A dense, rustic bread made with coconut, raisins, mixed fruit and spices.
Sponsored by: Maureen Simon Foods and Country Golden Yolks
About Maureen Simon:
Chef Maureen, CEO of Maureen’s Natural Foods, representing Nesters Market at the Celebrity Cooking stage, has been in the food manufacturing business for over 30 years. She has used her culinary creativity to recreate popular traditional Caribbean dishes, designed for the Western pallet. She specializes in West Coast Flavors served in a natural, healthy way.
5:00 PM
Our Signature Vegan Ramen Broth (Easy Version)
with Akiko Gulkison
I have created a creamy, vegan ramen soup that is accessible to anyone. I use 80% fresh shiitake mushrooms puree as a base, blended with assorted ingredients creating a broth that may be used in any combination. The broth in this instance, will be combined with tofu, cilantro, and roasted sesame.
Sponsored by: Cofu Pressed Sushi and Mushrooms Canada
About Akiko Gulkison :
Akiko arrived 7 years ago from Japan with a vision to create the first vegan pressed sushi. This later evolved into her signature vegan ramen. She has appeared on CTV’s ‘Evolving Vegan’ and is well reviewed locally and abroad.
12:00 PM
Syrian Chickpea Salad
with Raghda Hassan
Dive into the vibrant world of Syrian cuisine! Tayybeh is excited to introduce you to a refreshing, protein-packed dish that hails from the heart of Syria cooking: Syrian Chickpea Salad, or as it’s sometimes called, Salatet Hommos.
Sponsored by: Tayybeh
About Raghda Hassan:
Head Chef, Raghda Hassan, is a culinary artist and a symbol of resistance. Coming from the city of Latakia in Syria, Raghda embarked on a challenging and inspiring journey to Canada in 2016 coming with her family as refugees to Canada fleeing the civil war in her home country. In her initial weeks in Canada she fought homesickness and nostalgia but her spirit remained unbroken and she joined Tayybeh 3 months after her arrival. Becoming part of the Tayybeh family was not only about finding a job, but a way to embrace her new home, utilize her incredible culinary skills and carve a path towards a brighter future. She is a true culinary artist merging age-old cooking tradition with modern influences; whether at home or inside Tayybeh’s kitchen you can also catch Raghda experimenting with new recipes and ingredients.
1:00 PM
Jerk Chicken Fried Rice and Coconut Curry Salmon
with Maureen Simon
A delicious way to use leftover rice in a unique spin-off fusion dish.
Sponsored by: Maureen Simon Foods and Country Golden Yolks and Skipper Otto
About Maureen Simon:
Chef Maureen, CEO of Maureen’s Natural Foods, representing Nesters Market at the Celebrity Cooking stage, has been in the food manufacturing business for over 30 years. She has used her culinary creativity to recreate popular traditional Caribbean dishes, designed for the Western pallet. She specializes in West Coast Flavors served in a natural, healthy way.
2:00 PM
Mama Mocktails
with Mel Divers
Sponsored by: Moonshine Mama’s
About Mel Divers:
In 2012, Mel Divers faced a stage 3 cancer diagnosis that led her to explore natural methods to reduce inflammation and strengthen her immune system. This journey inspired her to create Moonshine Mama’s, a family-run business specializing in turmeric-based elixirs designed to nourish and revitalize the body. By combining ingredients like black pepper, lemon, and coconut oil, Mel ensures that the beneficial properties of turmeric are fully activated and easily absorbed, enhancing their health benefits. Today, Moonshine Mama’s offers a range of organic, small-batch elixirs & beverages aimed at promoting wellness and vitality.
3 PM
Salmon Avgolemono Soup
with Karen Barnaby
A classic Mediterranean style soup with a west coast twist. Sockeye salmon adds a new dimension of delicious in this creamy, lemony soup with fresh spinach, leeks and rice
Sponsored by: Sponsored By: Goodly Foods and Skipper Otto
About Karen Barnaby:
A long time fixture of the Vancouver food scene, Karen currently works as a product development consultant, food photographer and recipe developer. She is honored to be a part of the ever-changing landscape of food, and food writing, and loves discovering something new.
