Belleville, ON, Nov. 1, 2023 – Loyalist College is serving up another evening of thought-provoking conversation as Celebrity Chef Chuck Hughes takes the stage for the next instalment of the Loyalist College Speaker Series on Nov. 21.
Chef Hughes, a former judge on “Chopped Canada,” and the youngest Canadian chef to win “Iron Chef America,” will join local chef and Loyalist College honorary diploma recipient Chef Matt DeMille in a moderated discussion about reinventing culinary traditions, entrepreneurship and the future of the hospitality industry.
Chef Hughes is co-owner and executive chef of Montreal hot spot Garde Manger. He has served as host for numerous cooking shows, including “Chuck’s Day Off,” “Chuck’s Week Off,” “Chuck’s Eat the Street” and “Chuck & Danny’s Road Trip.” His passion for cooking and entertaining translates into memorable food and captivating television. More recently, he began exploring culinary traditions in his show “First People’s Kitchen,” where he delves into the rich food cultures of Indigenous communities across Canada.
Chef DeMille was raised in rural Ontario, surrounded by abundant local produce. He began his culinary journey in the vibrant Toronto food scene, honing his skills at renowned restaurants such as LeSelect Bistro, Enoteca Sociale, and Parts & Labour. In 2014, he relocated to the Bay of Quinte with his family to help launch the Drake Devonshire Inn. Building on this success, Chef DeMille founded his own catering company, EAT with Matt DeMille, in 2017.
This event is the third instalment in Loyalist College’s Speaker Series, an ongoing initiative bringing changemakers and leaders to the region.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Chef Hughes to Belleville for a discussion around the evolution of the hospitality industry and how he achieved success as a chef, TV personality and business owner,” says Loyalist College President and CEO Mark Kirkpatrick. “I am sure this conversation with culinary leaders Chef Hughes and Chef DeMille will resonate with our talented cohort of Loyalist culinary students and the many members of our community who enjoy living, learning and working in the heart of a vibrant hospitality destination.”
Tickets are available for $10. Visit loyalistcollege.com/speakerseries to learn more. All proceeds from this event will support awards, bursaries, and student scholarships.
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About Loyalist College
Loyalist College is built upon the lands governed by the Dish with One Spoon wampum agreement. We affirm and thank the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabeg and Huron-Wendat nations for their continued caretaking of the land. At Loyalist, we empower our students with wraparound support services and hands-on training to succeed on any path they choose. Our academic programs are responsive and innovative, designed to solve pressing social and economic challenges and meet the evolving needs of our regional industry and community partners. Our graduates enter the workforce equipped with the knowledge they need to be better global citizens, and with future-focused skills to lead change in their fields. With a presence in Belleville, Bancroft, Port Hope, Tyendinaga and Toronto, we believe our institutional responsibility extends beyond the classroom to seeing the big picture for the communities we serve. Our expertise in applied research and deep connections to local industry support economic development, to the benefit of businesses, entrepreneurs, changemakers and innovators. Our commitment to decolonization, and the pursuit of a more inclusive, equitable world, means we hold ourselves accountable to the diverse perspectives, cultures and experiences that shape our communities.
Contact:
Hannah Brown
Director of Marketing and Communications
613-921-0784
hbrown@loyalistcollege.com