2022 Awards Judges

Taste Canada Awards Jury

The Taste Canada Awards’ jury is comprised of volunteers from Canada’s culinary profession appointed by an independent selection committee; each judge abides by our Conflict of Interest Policy. Taste Canada Awards’ Board of Directors, staff, contractors, Advisory Board members, Category Coordinators, Selection Committee, sponsors, donors and spokespersons have no influence on the judging results, and in no way determine the Award winners. For more information visit Process & Policies.

Thank you to our judges from across the country, who provided their time and professional expertise to pour over the books, test away in their kitchens, and exercise their taste buds to tackle the very difficult task of selecting the shortlist and Award winners. Thank you, as well, the Category Coordinators who kept everything on track!

Category Coordinators/Coordonnateurs de catégorie

Karen Barnaby, Vancouver, BC: Chef, cookbook author, syndicated food columnist, and cooking instructor with 44 years in foodservice, Karen currently works as a product development consultant, food photographer and recipe developer. She honored to be a part of the ever-changing landscape of food, and food writing and loves discovering something new.

Barbara Barnes, Edmonton, AB: Barbara Barnes is a long time Edmonton-based professional home economist. Her specialization is food and nutrition. Barbara has extensive experience in recipe development, testing and writing. She is a former ATCO Blue Flame Kitchen manager. During the pandemic Barbara has been keeping in touch with her family and friends writing an email weekly food newsletter.

Mary Ann Binnie, London, ON: A food-centric home economist who grew up on a dairy farm, Mary Ann has worked her entire career in agriculture, promoting wholesome, nutrient-rich foods, and is an active member of various Home Economics associations.

Patricia Masbourian, Montréal, QC : Owner since 2012 at Chez Nino, in the Jean-Talon Market in Montreal specialized in local and imported fruits and vegetables. Patricia also believes in the Slow Food movement and philosophy and promotes farm-to-table cuisine. She has been a judge and coordinator many times for the Taste Canada Awards.

Daphna Rabinovitch, Toronto, ON: Daphna has been involved in the food industry for over 35 years, as a pastry chef, Test Kitchen Director for Canadian Living Magazine, co-host of the television show Canadian Living Cooks, and as a freelance writer, product and recipe developer. She has won two Taste Canada awards, one for Canadian Living Cooks, Step by Step Cookbook and a gold for her latest cookbook, The Baker In Me.

Deborah Youden, St. John’s, NL: Deborah is a home economist and consultant who works with businesses engaged in international trade. She also delights in harvesting Newfoundland delicacies from the land and the sea.

Judges/Juges

Sylvain Arès, Montréal, QC : Directeur adjoint à l’école Hôtelière de Montréal-Calixa-Lavallée, conseiller volontaire pour Saco-ceso. 40 ans d’expérience diverses enplusieurs milieux de l’alimentation provincial, national et international.
www.facebook.com/sylvain.ares.39/
www.facebook.com/EcoleHoteliereDeMontrealCalixaLavallee

Virginie Beauchamp, Victoria, BC : Virginie Beauchamp est une femme passionnée ! Elle a œuvré dans le milieu évènementiel et a eu sa propre entreprise de conciergerie à Montréal. Habitant maintenant à Victoria, en Colombie-Britannique, elle sillonne la ville à la découverte de bonnes adresses. Elle partage ses trouvailles à Radio Victoria 1079 FM et dans certains journaux locaux. Virginie a aussi collaboré avec l’équipe du Magazine montréalais Caribou.

Ian Bell, Abbotsford, BC

Sean Bromilow, Richmond, BC: Sean is a food, science, and education writer behind the website Diversivore.com, which was awarded best individual blog in 2017 by Taste Canada, and in 2021 by the International Association of Culinary Professionals. He loves to examine the intersections between biodiversity, food culture, and culinary education. He lives in Richmond, British Columbia with his wife and three very hungry kids. Find him www.diversivore.com; Facebook, Twitter & IG and Pinterest.

Brooke Bulloch, Saskatoon, SK: Brooke is a registered dietitian, mom, media spokesperson, public speaker, and business owner at Food to Fit Nutrition. She has a great appreciation for Canadian agriculture, locally-produced food, and practical, tasty, family-friendly recipes.

Noelle Chorney, Saskatoon, SK: Noelle owns Tall Order Communications, specializing in content creation for multiple media—and her passion is food. She is the leader of Slow Food Saskatoon, Saskatoon’s head judge for the Canadian Culinary Championships, and Managing Editor for The Gardener and Co-op Table Magazine.

Marie Edmond, St. Thomas, ON: A passion for all food from around the world Marie relishes in trying new recipes and of course eating them! With an academic background in Food & Nutrition, Marie enjoys her role as a Sr. Operations Team Leader at Maple Leaf Foods.

Aicia Colacci, Montréal, QC

Marie-Josée Demers, Sherbrooke, QC: Marie-Josée est diplômée en cuisine du Centre de formation professionnelle du 24 juin de Sherbrooke dans les années 90. Très active dans le domaine de la restauration depuis 30 ans et riche d’un grand bagage d’expériences, elle est revenue enseigner son savoir à l’école où elle avait étudié. Elle partage ses compétences, son savoir et ses dernières découvertes, en contaminant tous ceux qui la côtoient. Vous la trouverez certainement un livre à la main ou dans un boisé près de chez vous en pleine cueillette de plantes sauvages, qui serviront à des projets futurs.

Annie Ferland, Québec, QC : Nutritionniste et docteure en pharmacie, Annie Ferland est la fondatrice de ScienceFourchette.com. Communicatrice scientifique hors pair et experte en nutrition pour les médias, elle sait créer des contenus originaux en alimentation et en santé qui captive les lecteurs. Annie mise sur une image de marque forte et des contenus en nutrition inspirants et de très grande qualité, qu’elle diffuse sur son blogue, sur les plateformes web et papier du magazine Châtelaine, sur le blogue Cuisinez de Télé-Québec et sur ceux de plusieurs fidèles partenaires.

Virginie Gosselin, Montréal, QC

Renée Grégoire, Montréal, QC : Après l’obtention d’un bac en design graphique, Renée Grégoire a occupé divers postes de création dans le milieu de l’édition et du magazine. Après son passage au magazine ELLE QUÉBEC, elle se spécialise en conception d’image de marque mais surtout en éditions sur mesure. De 2006 à 2016, elle travaille plus particulièrement, à la direction artistique des magazines CELLIER et TCHIN TCHIN de la SAQ. Forte de son expertise et de ses rencontres dans le milieu du vin et de la gastronomie, elle fonde en 2017, lasphereculinaire.ca qui s’articule autour du plaisir de voyager par la cuisine.

Alison Kent, Etobicoke, ON: A recipe developer and food content creator, Alison is also a Red Seal-certified chef and past food editor at Canadian Living magazine where she authored Canadian Living: The Vegetarian Collection. @Alicatchef

Nathalie Labelle, Laval, QC : Rédactrice, pigiste et blogueuse, Nathalie peaufine sa formation en cuisine au gré de ses voyages. Elle est à terminer une formation en Gestion des pratiques socio-culturelles de la gastronomie, spécialité tourisme.  Ses voyages, ses formations en pâtisserie et en cuisine l’ont amené à collaborer avec plusieurs magazines tel que Moi & Compagnie, Les Idées de ma maison et Coup de Pouce. Vous pouvez la suivre sur son blogue: www.itinerairesgourmands.com, Instagram

Heat Laliberte, Burnaby, BC
Jo-Anne Lauzer, Vancouver, BC: As a freelance writer, Jo-Anne specializes in collaborating on innovative and creative writing projects (including cookbooks) that matter and make a difference. She is an avid cookbook collector who enjoys testing new recipes and a seasoned secondhand shopper with a passion for food, community, storytelling, sustainability and reducing waste. You can find her on Instagram, www.SavvyMedia.ca, and SecondhandSavvy.com

Stephanie Lavigne, Sherbrooke, QC : Diplômée en cuisine au Centre de formation 24 juin à Sherbrooke au début des années 2000, elle a exploré plusieurs domaines de l’alimentation dont l’enseignement au même centre qui l’a formé et le partage de sa passion au travers les ateliers de La Tablée des Chefs. Depuis, la cuisine est toujours demeurée sa principale passion et son besoin de jumelée alimentation et santé est devenue une quête.

Anya Levykh, Vancouver, BC: Anya is the host of The Nosh on CFRO 100.5 FM in Vancouver and a long-standing judge for the Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards. She has written extensively on food, drink, restaurants and travel for more than 20 years and is a passionate home cook, experimental baker, and cocktail enthusiast.

Leslie Merklinger, Toronto, ON: Leslie Merklinger combined her personal love and knowledge of food with her professional career in media as head of programming for Food Network Canada, where she oversaw and developed many original food television series including hits such as Top Chef Canada, You Gotta Eat Here, Pitchin’ In, Chopped Canada, Food Factory and Donut Showdown. She currently works at CBC as founder of its Podcast division and survived Covid by creating a wildly successful takeout meal service for friends and family, proving food – especially home cooking – is the great healer.

Debra Mudryk, Edmonton, AB

Gabby Peyton, St. John’s NL: Gabby is a food and travel writer, culinary historian and she is the restaurant critic for The Telegram. Her forthcoming book Where We Ate: A Field Guide to Canada’s Restaurants, Past and Present combines her passion for Canadian restaurants and culinary history. You can find her on Instagram, Twitter or on The Food Girl in Town where she documents travelling to eat. Follow on Instagram: Twitter, and her blog.

Jennifer Schell Lirag, Kelowna, BC: Jennifer Schell Lirag is a highly acclaimed, international award-winning food and wine author, columnist, photojournalist and champion of BC’s local food, wine and farm community for almost two decades. Jennifer’s bestselling new book The BC Wine Lover’s Cookbook published by Appetite by Random House continues the celebratory theme set in her first three award-winning cookbooks: The Butcher, The Baker, The Wine & Cheese Maker. Born and raised on an apple orchard in East Kelowna Jennifer and her books were the first to spotlight the amazing community of people behind the food, drink and farming community of the Okanagan. Follow on Facebook, Instagram, her Website, and YouTube.

Shelora Sheldan, Penticton, BC: Shelora Sheldan, writer, cook and culinary adventurer is an accomplished food writer with over 30 years of diverse experience. From food and travel writer to recipe tester to cooking instructor to running an underground restaurant and judging many culinary awards, she relishes the ever-changing landscape of culinary culture. She currently writes two food columns; Urban Forager and Side Dish from her home in the Okanagan. Follow her adventures on Instagram

Simon Thibault, Halifax, NS: Simon Thibault is a journalist, writer, and editor, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He has a huge love for whole grain baked goods, old apple varietals, and quinces.  His first book, Pantry and Palate: Remembering and Rediscovering Acadian Food was shortlisted for the 2018 Taste Canada Awards.

Julie Zyromski, La Conception QC : Julie Zyromski est une jeune chef, auteure de livres de recettes et propriétaire du restaurant La Petite Cachée à Mont-Tremblant. Depuis quelques années, Julie a aussi fondé un petit vignoble expérimental sous serres dans Les Laurentides. Retrouver ses recettes sur son site juliezyromski.com

Some judges prefer to remain anonymous.

Judges’ Selection Committee/Comité de sélection des juges

Karen Barnaby
Barbara Barnes
Claudie Brassard
Mirko D’Agata
Patricia Masbourian