With 'Top Chef Canada' Season 11 casting currently underway until mid-April, many Canadian chefs from coast to coast to coast are crossing their fingers to end up on the popular reality competition series. On this special one-off podcast episode (co-hosted by Dan Clapson, Carmen Cheng and Phil Wilson), we chat with one of the show's judges Mijune P…

On the latest episode of Melodies and Menus, Dan Clapson and Hailey Benedict chat with country music icon Carolyn Dawn Johnson as well as Melissa B from Traitors Canada. First, Carolyn Dawn Johnson talks about her approach to supporting independent artists, watching Nashville grow over the past three decades and her new single "Road Blocks". Hailey…

Hailey Benedict and Dan Clapson are back with another episode of Melodies and Menus, and they kick things off chatting with Survivor 41 winner Erika Casupanan about her experience filming Traitors Canada. Erika shares plenty of tips for reality TV competition hopefuls, her favourite spots in Toronto and a ton more. Next up, Clapson chats with chart…

We've got a special guest co-host for our fall episodes of 'Melodies and Menus' and it's none other than CCMA Award-winning country singer Hailey Benedict! Hailey joins Dan Clapson, who shares her love of reality television and especially 'The Traitors Canada' and 'The Great Canadian Baking Show'. Both shows premiered recently, so the co-hosts chat…

On the latest episode of Melodies and Menus, co-hosts Dan Clapson and Madison Olds chat with Candian country music stars Madeline Merlo and Andrew Hyatt. The CCMA Award-winning artists (separately) discuss everything from their lives in Nashville, how the American city's food scene has evolved, what Canadian treats they miss from back home and much…

It's an especially exciting episode of Melodies and Menus this week as co-hosts Dan Clapson and Madison Olds get to chat with musical icon Paul Langlois of The Tragically Hip and the ever-talented pop singer Ralph. Both musical acts separately discuss their latest albums, touring, favourite eats and more.…

We're back with a mini season of Melodies and Menus with co-hosts Dan Clapson and Madison Olds. The duo discuss Dan's debut cookbook Prairie and shifting from summer eats to warming fall food (and drinks) before award-winning country singer Tim Hicks joins for a lively interview. The chart-topping singer talks about his 2023 CCMA Award nominations,…

Acclaimed author Lesley Chesterman and the hilarious Andrew Phung, creator and star of CBC's Run The Burbs, join us for our final podcast episode of the year.Chesterman dishes on her latest French cookbook Un Week-end Chez Lesley (and her recent English book Make Every Dish Delicious), why people need to think out of the box when it comes to fruitc…

On the latest episode of Melodies and Menus, co-hosts Madison Olds and Dan Clapson talk with Clifton Murray, one quarter of the chart-topping act The Tenors, as well as drag queen superstar Anita Wigl'it. With The Tenors having an upcoming holiday tour across Canada and a current holiday single "Christmas Miracle", there's plenty to chat with Clift…

Our podcast miniseries Melodies and Menus is back for a special three-week holiday edition. Co-hosts Madison Olds and Dan Clapson will be chatting with a fun mix of recognizable Canadians who love this time of year as much as we do, and our first episode of the holiday season features Juno Award-winning singer Celeigh Cardinal and Great Canadian Ba…

We just couldn't bid adieu to our Top Chef Roundtable podcast miniseries for the year without having a little bonus episode with this season's breakout star, Deseree ("Dez") Lo. The Vancouver-based chef quickly became a favourite of our podcast co-hosts and viewers alike. First, for her vibrant personality, followed swiftly by her creative approach…

And just like that, our Top Chef Canada coverage comes to a close for 2022. In addition to dissecting the final episode of Season X, two of our podcast co-hosts, Carmen Cheng and Phil Wilson, get to have an exclusive chat with this year's winning chef Tre Sanderson. Sanderson discusses how he managed to find the balance between having fun during pr…

Season 9 winner Erica Karbelnik and husband Josh Karbelnik are the only couple to have ever competed on a Top Chef franchise. Currently in Spain to compete in the sixth annual International Tapas Competition, Erica chats about her amazingly creative tapa inspired by Tim Hortons (don't worry, it made us wary at first too!) before the couple discuss …

This week, we've got a condensed episode of our Top Chef Roundtable podcast miniseries with two of the co-hosts, Phil Wilson and Dan Clapson, discussing all things Top Chef Canada Season X Episode 6. With only two episodes left in the season, the production is also heading to Cayman Islands with the Top 4 chefs! This is the first time the show has …

This episode, we are chatting with two of East Coast Canada's most recognizable chefs, Lucy Morrow and Stephanie Ogilvie. Both Top Chef Canada Season 8 finalists, the two had a strong showing on the series and still remain great pals after it all. The chefs discuss regional ingredients of the Maritimes and also offer up some advice for Canadian che…

Chef Jo Notkin and Top Chef Canada alum calls Montreal home and is working hard at growing her baking mix company Maison Zoe Ford to national success. Notkin discusses her growing brand recognition in the food product sector before giving co-hosts Phil Wilson, Carmen Cheng and Dan Clapson a crash course in the history of Betty Crocker (very interes…

When it comes to fun culinary collaborations, few Top Chef Canada alum do it better than Season 9 runner-up Billy Nguyen. We've been following Billy's journey since their appearance on the series and they've cooked up some amazing feasts with pals like Andrea Alridge, Galasa Aden and Emily Butcher, and they've got upcoming collabs with Steph Ogilvi…

Before we delve into the ups and downs of Top Chef Canada Season X Episode 2, the co-hosts discuss the early departure of Edmonton chef Lindsay Porter and how sometimes even chefs that are celebrated in their own region, end up having a bad first day in the TCC Kitchen. The co-hosts also take inspiration from Season X Episode 2's musical theme and …

With Top Chef Canada officially back for another season, so too is our Top Chef-themed podcast miniseries. On this week's episode of Top Chef Canada Roundtable, co-hosts Phil Wilson, Carmen Cheng and Dan Clapson share their first impressions of the milestone season in terms of its competitors and unique "X" twist. Top Chef Canada judge Mijune Pak a…

It's our final Melodies and Menus podcast episode of the summer, and what better way to wrap things up than with some dynamic conversations of Pride season and being queer in the entertainment industry? First, co-hosts Dan Clapson and Madison Olds chat with iconic Canadian drag queen Kendall Gender. As a fixture of the Vancouver drag scene, Kendall…

We've gone all-out Canadian country music for our latest episode of Melodies and Menus! First up, Don Amero about everything from his love of Manitoba to his recent release "Let 'Em Lie"—a powerful duet with Kyle McKearney that speaks to residential schools and the schools' associated atrocities. Amero will also be performing at the Calgary Stamped…

Top Chef Canada alum and recently-minted author Adrian Forte dishes on his brand new cookbook Yawd as well as how music plays an integral part in the dining experiences he brings to life while doing private culinary events across the globe. Award-winning singer Jill Barber joins next to chat with Madison Olds and Dan Clapson about her love of the V…

Our new podcast episode sees co-hosts Madison Olds and Dan Clapson talking with Canadian music icon Fefe Dobson. The Nashville-dwelling Canadian musician discusses the misconceptions many people have about Nashville as well as her impact on current chart-topping artists like Olivia Rodrigo and Willow. Fefe's latest single "FCKIN IN LOVE" is just th…

To kick off our new episode, Dan Clapson and Madison Olds chat with food personality AND Juno Award winner Roger Mooking. No stranger to the food television realm, Mooking has long been a household favourite, hosting many programs and currently serving as a judge on the popular series Firemasters. Mooking is also a celebrated musician, being part o…

Dan Clapson and Madison Olds start things off by chatting with one of the most familiar faces in the pop-rock world, Josh Ramsay. The Marianas Trench frontman recently released his debut solo album, aptly titled The Josh Ramsay Show, which has received much buzz. The album plays around in a variety of genres and also features vocals from Canadian t…

On the second episode of our new season of the Melodies and Menus podcast, co-hosts Dan Clapson and Madison Olds talk with acclaimed East Coast musician Kellie Loder and Survivor's first-ever Canadian winner Erika Casupanan. With the Survivor Season 42 finale airing this week, Erika weighs in on how she's enjoyed this season and why it's great that…

Our season two premiere of our podcast series Melodies and Menus sees food writer Dan Clapson and singer Madison Olds chatting with one of the most familiar faces in Canadian pop music, Tyler Shaw, as well as My Ackee Tree author and Wall of Chefs judge Suzanne Barr. Shaw discusses everything from returning to touring (alongside Josh Ramsay) to his…

co-hosts Dan Clapson and Madison Olds chat with rising star LØLØ. The pop-punk songstress has been making waves over the past couple years thanks to her catchy tunes and a prominent presence on TikTok. LØLØ talks about her first-ever American tour—which wrapped recently—as well as her unexpected new holiday single "christmas vacation" and her famil…

Acclaimed Canadian singer and Art Haus co-owner Serena Ryder joins us to chat about being a new ambassador for Libra non-alcoholic beer (made in P.E.I. by Upstreet Craft Brewing) and how you can get creative in the kitchen and home bar during the holidays without it centring around alcohol. Sue Passmore of the Good Lovelies also joins to chat with …

We are back with a very special four-week edition of Melodies and Menus. Hosted by Madison Olds and Dan Clapson, this podcast miniseries will feature an array of recognizable Canadians talking about all things holiday music, food and drink and other special happenings. First up is the talented Ontario-based country singer Nicole Rayy. Rayy dishes o…

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 w…

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 tal…

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 m…

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 mig…

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! V…

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…

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…

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 …

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 kit…

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 J…

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 …

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…

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 see…

Things have really heated up competition-wise after the second episode of Top Chef Canada Season 9. So, what better way to embrace the heat than for podcast co-hosts Phil Wilson and Dan Clapson to chat with a show alum that recently launched a hot sauce company? Toronto's Elizabeth Rivasplata first appeared on the popular competition series during …

To coincide with the new season of Top Chef Canada that is currently underway, our podcast returns for the spring. Over the next eight weeks, co-hosts Dan Clapson and Phil Wilson will set their sights on dissecting each episode of the show's ninth season and also have a fun, candid chat with an alumni chef each episode. This week, the two chat with…

After a week away from the More Than Maple Syrup podcast, Emma Waverman returns to the booth to chat with co-host Phil Wilson about the current state of the Canadian hospitality industry and the conclusion of Top Chef Canada season 8. The duo is joined by Toronto chef and season 8 competitor, Adrian Forte. Chef Forte offers a behind-the-scenes look…

Phil Wilson chatting with special guest co-hosts Fiona Odlum of CBC Saskatoon and Eat North's Dan Clapson about the "what ifs" of post-pandemic dining. Will drive-in experiences make a resurgence? Odlum throws back to 30+ years ago when A&W offered "in-car" dining of sorts that even included a mini fork for your fries. From there, the three discuss…

It's been a couple of weeks since Emma Waverman and Phil Wilson dissected the Top Chef Canada season 8 premiere, and the two are back again this week to catch up on recent episodes and talk food news. First up, related to Foodora Canada's announcement of withdrawl from the Canadian market, our co-hosts speculate it could be something more than simp…