Haligonian chefs infused into Food Network Canada show

By Jordan Parker

The Food Network Canada has a new show featuring amateur home cooks coming next month, and Halifax is well-represented.

The program – Wall of Chefs – will see notable chefs judge the amateur cooks’ wares, with the winner taking home $10,000.

This time, Dartmouth chef Renée Lavallée is on board as a chef judge for the proceedings.

“This was just such a great time. It’s hard not to have 30 other chefs – both peers and mentors – around you and not enjoy yourself,” she said of the experience. “I got to connect with old friends and make new ones.”

Her experience being in competition on Top Chef Canada’s seventh season gave her a perspective into both sides of competing: both the judging and being judged.

“I think because of my experience I had a little more sympathy. Because I was judged the year before, I had patience for our chefs this time,” she said.

Lavallée was impressed with all the talent on-hand for the 10-episode Wall Of Chefs.

“There are some amazing home cooks featured here, and they’re so talented and love food. Even if they left early, they shouldn’t feel lesser,” she said.

“There is certainly nothing amateur about these people in my eyes. It’s great to see their passion for food, and it was so refreshing.”

There are two chefs from Halifax competing, including Kyler Crawford and local amateur chef, Jamie Deveaux, who runs food blog The Slow Braise.

“I’m so excited. It’s been a crazy whirlwind, and I feel like I’ve just been holding my breath and waiting for the show to air,” he said. “It’s so validating to have this opportunity to compete. I love food, cooking and presenting it, and to be recognized and compete against cooks from across the country is amazing.”

Deveaux was excited to hear Chef Lynn Crawford would be a part of the show as well.

“Meeting celebrity chefs and people I’ve looked up to for so long was a big part of what made this a great experience. Crawford is an icon in the queer community, so to see that representation was great,” he said.

“Then to see this iconic person watching me cook and give feedback was remarkable. My friends and family are all holding on tight waiting to watch the show.”

Chef Lavallée (affectionately known as “The Feisty Chef”) owns The Canteen in Dartmouth with her husband Doug Townsend, she said that $10,000 prize could go a long way.

“Anyone in that competition would be so happy to win that. It means going to cooking school, getting new equipment, traveling or so much more. It could go such a long way,” she said.

She was also happy to see the program showcase talent in Nova Scotia.

“I was so proud to be the only celebrity chef from Nova Scotia and the only chef from here on Top Chef Canada. I think when you get people from here, you’re able to show the amazing talent right here in this province.”

Wall Of Chefs premieres on Food Network Canada on February 3, 2019, at 11 p.m.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today