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Featured, Masterchef Canada

MasterChef Canada’s Michael Bonacini rings in the holidays with Christmas at the Farm

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I’m a huge food TV fan, especially during the Christmas season. I’ve enjoyed holiday specials starring Michael Smith and Michael Stadtlander and Jamie Oliver churned out a series of them recently. There’s something comforting, for me at least, watching chefs at home making recipes that have become traditions for their families and giving me some ideas too. (I credit Oliver for two standards at my house on Christmas Day: roasted vegetables and a killer gravy.)

Now MasterChef Canada‘s Michael Bonacini has jumped into the mix with his own Gusto special Michael Bonacini’s Christmas at the Farm, airing Saturday at 10 p.m. ET on the specialty channel. The hour-long celebration ticks all the boxes for me: snow, a fireplace, decorations and amazing recipes. Add to that an amiable, charismatic host in Bonacini and Christmas at the Farm is a truly enjoyable project.

Filmed on his sprawling property outside of Toronto, Bonacini’s traditional plates includes food celebrating his Italian last name and his mother’s Welsh background. Potato and leek soup garnished with smoked salmon is the first to be made, a scrumptious-looking bowl of warmth that is super-easy to create in your own home. Soup is followed by cheddar and bacon scones, gnocchi, roasted leg of lamb, maple roasted root vegetables, slow-roasted breast of veal and molten chocolate lava cake. (Though Bonacini doesn’t give any measurements or directions in the episode, viewers can get the recipes via the Gusto website after broadcast.)

But what sells Christmas at the Farm and sets it apart from other cooking specials is Bonacini. MasterChef Canada viewers get just a taste of his cooking knowledge and personality on CTV’s popular cooking competition. Here Bonacini is allowed to relax, show off his knife skills, discuss how he came to be a chef in the first place and how growing up on a Welsh farm impacted on his life.

Michael Bonacini’s Christmas at the Farm airs Saturday at 10 p.m. ET on Gusto.

Image courtesy of Bell Media.

 

 

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Gusto Cooks up a Sweet Batch of Original Premieres This Fall

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From a media release:

Whether it’s searching for the ultimate sweet treat, or adding an international flair to an everyday meal, Gusto has something for every budding chef with two original series headlining the schedule this September.

First up, Gusto gives viewers the sugar with brand-new baking series FLOUR POWER from Gusto Worldwide Media, airing Fridays at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT beginning Sept. 22. Newcomer Jessica McGovern, who owns her own baking school in Montréal, explores the wonders of flour, sugar, and butter in her retro-inspired kitchen, sharing three recipes in each 30-minute episode. Celebrating an uncomplicated love of baking, McGovern offers impressive recipes for every occasion, whether it’s a delicious treat for a children’s bake sale or an extravagant masterpiece for an elegant dinner party. FLOUR POWER is the newest addition to Gusto’s roster of Canadian-made original productions, with the series representing the network’s first original series all about baking.

Then, Gusto explores a whole new roster of global cuisines when ONE WORLD KITCHEN returns with a new cast of cooks for Season 3, airing Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT beginning Sept. 26. Mary Tang (Cantonese), Joanna Chery (Greek), Jasmin Rose Ibrahim (Lebanese), and Lisa Nguyen (Vietnamese) share recipes connected with their respective cultures. The culinary style of each locale is explored over each 30-minute episode, sharing everything from age-old traditions and secrets, to fresh recipes and tips. Through modern and traditional recipes, ONE WORLD KITCHEN shows that, no matter where you come from, food is a language that everyone speaks.

FLOUR POWER – Fridays at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT, beginning Sept. 22
Host Jessica McGovern shares her love of baking in this 13-episode, 30-minute series. Set in a retro-inspired kitchen, each episode offers three impressive recipes for every occasion. Some of the mouth-watering recipes explored throughout the season include: Pina Colada Cupcakes, Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Pops, Cherry Pistachio Biscotti, Red Velvet Layer Cake, and more.

ONE WORLD KITCHEN – Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT beginning Sept. 26
A brand new cast means a whole new world of global cuisines for Season 3. The 30-minute, eight-episode, season explores Cantonese, Greek, Lebanese, and Vietnamese cuisines through the eyes of four passionate and captivating cooks with family ties to each region. The new season explores exotic recipes like chicken and sticky rice wrapped in lotus leaves (Cantonese), spicy hue beef noodle soup (Vietnamese), fried cod with turmeric rice (Lebanese), beef and orzo casserole (Greek), and more.

FLOUR POWER and ONE WORLD KITCHEN are created by Chris Knight, President and CEO, Gusto Worldwide Media.

 

 

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Gusto spices things up with new original series The Latin Kitchen, premiering July 6

From a media release:

Gusto turns up the heat in July with a new lineup of creative cooking adventures, including Gusto’s brand-new original Canadian seriesTHE LATIN KITCHEN, exploring the culinary favourites of three chefs from Mexico, Spain, and Venezuela. From Gusto Worldwide Media, the new 15-episode, 30-minute cooking-series airs Thursdays at 9:30 p.m. ET beginning July 6, exclusively on Gusto.

Fun and fast-paced, each episode of THE LATIN KITCHEN follows one of three chefs as they use an individual ingredient or regional flavour to create four mouth-watering recipes. Juan Pablo González, a Venezuelan artist and musician turned cook, combines his artistic creativity with his passion for food. Spanish chef Luis “Tigretón” Leon brings authentic recipes straight from Barcelona and Madrid, and chef Luis Valenzuela shares Mexican dishes that have been passed down through generations. The chefs introduce simple techniques and exotic ingredients that are sure to fire up viewers’ palettes and spice up every meal. For information on Gusto’s series, chefs, recipes, how-to videos, and more, visit gustotv.com.

THE LATIN KITCHEN is created by Chris Knight, President and CEO, Gusto Worldwide Media.

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Industry News, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Gusto announces three new original Canadian series

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From a media release:

Following this week’s James Beard Award win for Gusto’s FISH THE DISH, Bell Media announced today that three new original Canadian series from Gusto Worldwide Media are set to join Gusto’s slate of homegrown programming in 2017/2018.

Celebrating all that is sweet and summery, the roster of new commissioned series all begin production across Ontario this summer in vivid 4K, including retro-themed baking series FLOUR POWER, helmed by Gusto newcomer Jessica McGovern; Ontario food market and local ingredient exploration series FRESH MARKET DINNERS; and barbecue cookout  WATTS ON THE GRILL starring chef extraordinaire Spencer Watts. Watt’s series FISH THE DISH recently won a 2017 James Beard Foundation Media Award in the Television Program, in Studio or Fixed Location category.

Gusto also announced today that it has begun production on Season 3 of original Canadian series and marquee production ONE WORLD KITCHEN. In its ongoing exploration of new and intriguing global cuisines, this highly-stylized series returns with a new set of hosts, this time shining a spotlight on modern and traditional Cantonese, Greek, Lebanese, and Vietnamese recipes. Episodes of ONE WORLD KITCHEN air Monday – Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET on Gusto. For information on Gusto’s series, chefs, recipes, how-to videos, and more, visit gustotv.com.

Further details about Gusto’s new original programming is outlined below:FLOUR POWER (13, 30-minute episodes)

FLOUR POWER (13, 30-minute episodes)
FLOUR POWER is a fun, playful, and super-stylish baking show that is all about sharing the love and joy of baking. From sweet cream pies to tiramisu, host, Gusto newcomer Jessica McGovern, shows viewers just how easy it is to make these recipes at home.

FRESH MARKET DINNERS (10, 30-minute episodes)
This fun road-trip series brings viewers to farmer’s markets across Ontario to discover local food products, before heading to a fabulous “glamping” site, where the audience is shown how to make irresistible using the fresh ingredients.

WATTS ON THE GRILL (13, 30-minute episodes)
WATTS ON THE GRILL is a mouthwatering new series celebrating all things grilled. Beloved Gusto host Spencer Watts (FISH THE DISH) shows viewers how to barbecue like a pro, from sizzling steak, smoked chicken, and steamy seafood, to even flavourful fruit, veg, and breads.

FLOUR POWER, FRESH MARKET DINNERS, ONE WORLD KITCHEN, and WATTS ON THE GRILL are created by Chris Knight, President and CEO, Gusto Worldwide Media.

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Industry News, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Gusto’s first original design series The Search for Canada’s Next Designers premieres Oct. 16

From a media release:

Grab your allen keys, Canada! Gusto debuts its first original design program with the premiere of THE SEARCH FOR CANADA’S NEXT DESIGNER. From Bell Media In-House Productions, the six-episode, 30-minute series airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET, beginning October 16 on Gusto.

Hosted by THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW’s design expert Tommy Smythe, the series sees six competitors vie for a coveted design contract with IKEA Canada as they face weekly challenges and eliminations. THE SEARCH FOR CANADA’S NEXT DESIGNER encores on CTV Two, Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET, beginning Oct. 20.

For a group of up-and-coming Canadian design experts, the opportunity of a lifetime is about to begin! THE SEARCH FOR CANADA’S NEXT DESIGNER pits six individuals against one another in a series of high-stakes décor challenges. The lucky grand prize winner nabs a coveted design contract with IKEA Canada and a dream trip to Sweden.

Each week, designers work with IKEA Canada products to showcase their innovative design skills. From DIY-themed challenges to dealing with dated décor on a budget, the challenges reference both IKEA’s current line of products as well as the brand’s history. With the threat of elimination hiding behind every challenge, it’s up to each designer to put their skills to the test and show what they’ve got. Also in the blueprints are game-changing twists and fast time turnarounds! There’s a lot at stake in this competition, and only one designer can come out on top.

In addition to Smythe, THE SEARCH FOR CANADA’S NEXT DESIGNER features IKEA Canada judge Alicia Caroll and a cast of top-tier guest judges, including celebrity chef Roger Mooking, THE SOCIAL co-host Lainey Lui, Canadian home renovation guru Sebastian Clovis, winner of THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW’s search for their next designer expert, Andrew Pike, and more.

The six competitors competing in THE SEARCH FOR CANADA’S NEXT DESIGNER are:

  • Christopher, Interior Designer
  • Joey, Owner of Joey Vogel Interior Design
  • Marcy, Entrepreneur and YouTube personality
  • Martha, Engineer and Lead Designer at Hedgeford & Berkley
  • Natalie, Owner of Nest Design Studios
  • Victoria, Television Art Director

In the premiere episode of THE SEARCH FOR CANADA’S NEXT DESIGNER (Sunday, October 16 at 9 p.m. ET on Gusto) the competition is on! Host Tommy Smythe dishes out the first-ever challenge for six up-and-coming design experts: a dining space transformation. Working with a limited budget and tight deadline, the designers soon find out that every little detail matters – and for one of them, the journey is about to come to an end. The episode features special guest judge, Roger Mooking.

THE SEARCH FOR CANADA’S NEXT DESIGNER is executive produced by Michelle Crespi. John Simpson is co-executive producer.

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