Announcing the Awards Gala Co-Hosts

Meet Shahir Massoud, Chef & Host

After graduating from York University’s Schulich School of Business, Shahir Massoud decided to pursue his true passion and move to New York City to enroll in the famed French Culinary Institute. While in New York, he worked in the kitchens of Mario Batali (Lupa), Jean-Georges Vongerichten (The Mark Hotel) and Saveur magazine. Shahir moved on to become the Corporate Executive Chef at Levetto and has since moved on to a television career as a contributor for Breakfast Television, Cityline, and co-host of the national daytime CBC show The Goods.

Instagram: @shahirmassoud     Twitter: @chefshahir

Get to Know Shahir

1. If you could dine with anyone (living or dead) who would it be?

My dream is to dine with Barack Obama for a multitude of reasons – but most notably because he seems like a really, really cool dude.

2. Your must-have kitchen tool?

Microplane.  It’s a must for cheese, zest, even chocolate.

3. Your favourite spice, seasoning or herb to cook with?

Whole toasted, then ground coriander.

4. What culinary destination is on your bucket list?

Egypt. It’s my parent’s birthplace and I’ve never explored it as an adult, and especially not from a culinary lens.

5. Favourite meal, breakfast, lunch or dinner?

Dinner! Breakfast is usually black coffee, lunch is about grazing. Dinner is the star for me.

6. How many cookbooks do you own?

No way to know! They are so many scattered in my office, kitchen, car, parent’s house, etc.

7. What makes Canada distinct from a food perspective, in your view?

Without a doubt the multiculturalism that we enjoy, translates to the food that we all have the opportunity to be exposed to as Canadians.

Meet Claire Tansey, Chef, Teacher & Food Expert

Claire Tansey has over 20 years experience working in restaurants, education and media, notably as Food Director at Chatelaine and as a guest expert on Cityline. She now inspires home cooks at Claire Tansey’s Kitchen. Best known for easy, reliable and delicious recipes, fun TV and radio segments and engaging classes, Claire also knows food inside and out. Her first cookbook, Uncomplicated, will be published in October 2018 by Penguin Random House. Originally from Montreal, Claire lives in Toronto with her partner, Michael, and son, Thomas.

Social: @tanseyclaire     Website: clairetansey.com     Facebook: @clairesrecipes

Get to Know Claire

1. If you could dine with anyone (living or dead) who would it be?

My grandmother, Ethel Bebbington. She is the foundation of everything I know and love about food and cooking, but I never got to meet her.

2. Your must-have kitchen tool?

A salad spinner. There’s nothing else that can do its job as well. And I love salad!

3. Your favourite spice, seasoning or herb to cook with?

Regular curry powder. I add it to everything, from yogurt dips to salad dressings to roasted vegetables and cheese sauces. I can’t get enough!

4. What culinary destination is on your bucket list?

Berlin.

5. Favourite meal, breakfast, lunch or dinner?

Dinner. That’s when our family sits together.

6. How many cookbooks do you own?

Um…lots. Over 500 for sure.

7. What makes Canada distinct from a food perspective, in your view?

Our seasons. The fresh produce we can get locally changes so dramatically over the course of the year that every month brings a different flavour to the table.

1 Comment

  1. Greta Podleski September 17, 2018

    Love them both!