Nova Scotia's Jennifer E. Crawford rose to fame in 2019 after winning the sixth season of MasterChef Canada and from there, they have become an advocate for queer representation in the food world in addition to finding much success with their culinary chops. More recently, Crawford has delved into the physical and theatrical world of wrestling by way of their alter ego Moon Miss.Next, R&B-pop singer–and Canadian Idol final season winner–Theo Tams regales the co-hosts on everything from mastering the art of smoking meat to finding his true voice and musical style in an ever-changing industry. Both being part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, Tams and Crawford weigh in on how queer representation has improved over the past decade...and how there is still further to go in that respect.

More Than Maple Syrup

Melodies and Menus: Jennifer E. Crawford and Theo Tams

Co-hosts Madison Olds and Dan Clapson chat with one half of the duo BROS–and one quarter of The Sheepdogs–Shamus Currie about his love of Prairie food and how his recently released album Vol. 2 came to life. If you haven't heard it yet, trust that it's the perfect soundtrack to the dwindling days of summer.Fake Shark singer Kevvy joins next to talk about why takeout wins out over home cooking (for himself) every single time, some of the similarities between Vancouver and L.A. when it comes to food and what his band has in store for the remainder of 2021.

Melodies and Menus: Shamus Currie of BROS and Fake Shark's Kevvy

This episode's guests are Juno Award-winning singer Celeigh Cardinal and restaurateur and mental health advocate Steve Brochu.Both hailing from Edmonton, the two (separately) discuss the things they love about the Alberta capital. Cardinal opens up about her creative process, her stunning new single "There Ain't No Way (Better Days Version)" and much more.Brochu shares the struggles his business MilkCrate has faced–along with many other downtown Edmonton businesses–throughout the pandemic and his efforts to normalize conversations around mental health in the restaurant industry. The chef agrees that it is a topic that should be ever-present in the music industry as well given its similar late night hours and constant high pressures.

Melodies and Menus: Celeigh Cardinal and chef Steve Brochu

Madison Olds and Dan Clapson talk with accomplished musician and producer Hill Kourkoutis about everything from gardening to mastering the art of sourdough and the dos and don'ts of what to eat in the recording studio. Kourkoutis shares insight on how her creative processes of music production and making dinner at home are more aligned than one might think.Writer, author and Flat Out Food docuseries co-creator Jenn Sharp joins the conversation next. Sharp discusses how the right orchestral score can help capture a viewer's attention in a food-focused docuseries like hers as well as why it is high time Canadians start paying attention to what the food producers, purveyors and creators in her province have to offer.

Melodies and Menus: Jenn Sharp and Hill Kourkoutis

Country singer Jade Turner and Top chef Canada alum Mark Singson join us on our latest episode of Melodies and Menus.Rooted in Manitoba, Turner chats with us about why people should explore Winnipeg's food and drink scene and her love of all-season fishing. Ice fishing, lake fishing, river fishing...you name it, the talented singer is up for it!Vancouver-based private chef and popup event planner extraordinaire Mark Singson joins the co-hosts next to discuss his personal taste in music and how he incorporates that into his social media presence. Being a runner-up on Top Chef Canada Season 6, Singson also chats a bit about his experience from the rearview mirror and what it takes for a chef to find success in a competition like that.

Melodies and Menus: Jade Turner and chef Mark Singson

On our latest podcast episode, co-hosts Madison Olds and Dan Clapson kick things off by talking seltzers and summer tunes before delving into all things drag brunch with celebrity drag queen Tynomi Banks. The Toronto-based queen (and Canada's Drag Race alum) dishes on her growth as a performer over the years, how she always looks forward to working the crowd during a lively brunch and shares some pro tips for drag brunch attendees.Next up, Canadian indie music icon Hawksley Workman joins to discuss his love of pairing food and drink, his personal discovery of the benefits of sobriety in recent years and what he thinks the future holds when it comes to food trends.

Melodies and Menus: Hawksley Workman and Tynomi Banks

On the latest episode of Melodies and Menus, co-hosts Madison Olds and Dan Clapson chat with the one and only Mairlyn Smith. The award-winning cookbook author and TV personality was raised on musical theatre, so she discusses all things theatre, musical-inspired menus, her love of singing, teacups and more.Ontario-based folk singer Tania Joy joins to discuss her passion for supporting the local community and her recent musical releases. Joy also talks about how she works with different restaurants and cafes around Uxbridge, ON to create a unique annual music festival.New episodes every Thursday!Podcast music by Madison Olds.

Melodies and Menus: Mairlyn Smith and singer Tania Joy

Check out the premiere episode of Melodies and Menus!Co-hosts pop singer Madison Olds and food writer Dan Clapson explore the many parallels with the food and music industries, as well as their intersections.Country music superstar Paul Brandt joins the frey to discuss all things Airstreams, fly fishing and local eateries. The singer also shares some insight into his charity Not In My City and its summer-long campaign that is currently underway. Next, Vancouver restaurateur Justin Tisdall joins to discuss how he actively incorporates music into his two concepts, Juke Fried Chicken and BeetBox.New episodes every Thursday!

Melodies and Menus: Singer Paul Brandt and restaurateur Justin Tisdall

On our final Top Chef Canada podcast episode of 2021, co-hosts Dan Clapson, Phil Wilson and Carmen Cheng dissect the Season 9 finale, but also look back on the season as a whole. Could Top Chef Canada make some changes to its judging style to keep up with the times? What possible themes might the show have for its 10th season in 2022? They ponder these questions and more throughout.Season 9 champion Erica Karbelnik joins the co-hosts to discuss her experience filming, how her cooking celebrates her family roots and what's next for her and her husband, fellow finalist Josh Karbelnik.

Looking back on Top Chef Canada Season 9 and chatting with winner Erica Karbelnik

On this week's podcast episode, co-hosts Carmen Cheng and Dan Clapson have a fun chat with chef Nicole Gomes. The Top Chef Canada: All-Stars winner and owner of the popular Cluck 'N' Cleaver discusses everything from her love of Tofino (where she's currently cooking for the month), learning from her mistakes and how to be a better leader in the kitchen.After the interview with Nicole Gomes, Phil Wilson returns to dissect Top Chef Canada Season Episode 7 with Carmen and Dan.

Talking fried chicken and Top Chef Canada with chef Nicole Gomes

Our latest podcast episode sees co-hosts Phil Wilson and Dan Clapson joined once again by food writer Carmen Cheng as well as special guest Jo Notkin of Zoe Ford Pantry.The chef also shares some candid stories of the Top Chef Canada casting process and places her bets on who will be named "Canada's Top Chef" on the Season 9 finale, which airs on June 7.After the chat with Notkin, we dissect Top Chef Canada Season 9 Episode 6

Chef Jo Notkin talks baking on the barbecue and Top Chef Canada

The Top Chef Canada Season 6 finalist and Wall of Chefs judge chats with Dan Clapson, Carmen Cheng and Phil Wilson about the mantra behind her restaurant, other Korean restaurants she loves across Canada and more. She also discusses whether or not she would consider competing on Top Chef Canada: All-Stars 2–which we speculate might take place next year.After chatting with Jinhee Lee, the three co-hosts dissect Top Chef Canada Season 9 Episode 5 and ponder how certain reality television production decisions are made.

Dissecting Top Chef Canada Season 9 Episode 5 and chatting with Jinhee Lee

Since competing on the inaugural season of Top Chef Canada back in 2011, Andrea Nicholson has become a household name. The chef returned to compete on Top Chef Canada: All Stars in 2017 and currently serves as a judge on the current competition series Fire Masters. On top of that, Nicholson runs the popular eatery Butchie's and a thriving preserves company, Killer Condiments.The passionate small business advocate joins co-hosts Phil Wilson and Dan Clapson on our latest podcast episode to chat about the importance of speaking out to protect one's community. She also looks back on her time with the Top Chef Canada series before sharing who she's rooting for this season.Carmen Cheng returns to chat with Phil and Dan about Top Chef Canada's Takeout Wars episode which aired earlier this week.

Chatting with Andrea Nicholson and dissecting Top Chef Canada Takeout Wars

Before co-hosts Phil Wilson and Dan Clapson dive into all things Top Chef Canada Season 9, they are joined by one of the top-performing chefs in the history of the series, Vancouver's Matthew Stowe.Stowe currently helps run the culinary program for JOEY Restaurants and chats a bit about the chain's expansion in the United States where they are seeing great success. From there, he talks a bit about his time on Top Chef Canada and provides a few tips for future competitors be named Canada's Top Chef just as he was back in 2013 on the show's third season.Food writer Carmen Cheng joins Wilson and Clapson to dissect the latest episode of Season 9 as well as explore how the show could continue to be more diverse by considering an update to its judging panel.

Dissecting Top Chef Canada Season 9 Episode 3 and chatting with Matthew Stowe

Canada has amazing food and an underrated culinary scene. Full stop.From the West Coast to the East Coast, it has an abundance of fresh ingredients, talented chefs, dedicated producers and farmers, impressive restaurants and a curious crowd of foodies who can’t get enough.Hosted by writers Emma Waverman and Phil Wilson, this weekly podcast explores aspects of the Canadian food scene through lively conversation and interviews with Canadians from coast-to-coast.We're more than just maple syrup.

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More Than Maple Syrup

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