CTV’s THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW and The Little Potato Company Select Two Winners from Little Chef Cook-off

– Chris de Henestrosa from Aurora and Naia Tement from Richmond Hill are the Little Chef Champions –

TORONTO (December 14, 2015) – CTV’s THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW and The Little Potato Company held a Creamer potato cook-off on today’s show, and declared a tie, selecting two Little Chef Champions following submissions from hundreds of 8 to 13-year-old aspiring Little Chefs across Canada.

MASTERCHEF CANADA’s Michael Bonacini encouraged and coached both Little Chefs as they prepared their original recipes using Creamer potatoes. Both Little Chefs showed exceptional skill, passion, and creativity. Chris de Henestrosa (12) from Aurora, Ont. and Naia Tement (9) from Richmond Hill, Ont. were chosen as the Little Chef Champions.

Chris wowed the judges with his Patatas Bravas, and Naia impressed with Braised Massaman Curry Creamers with Thai Basil and Kaffir Lime Leaves to accompany a traditional holiday turkey dinner. Both winning recipes are available here.

The Grand Prize featured a family adventure for three people in Paris, courtesy of The Little Potato Company, including airfare, accommodation, two-day park passes to an entertainment resort, and an ultimate culinary experience.

THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW and The Little Potato Company would like to thank all the Little Chefs who took the time to enter the contest; their parents for their enthusiastic support and commitment to helping their kids learn about cooking and good food and, finally, everyone who voted in and followed the contest.

The Little Chef contest launched on September 21 with a casting call that attracted hundreds of video entries from Little Chefs all across Canada. After a challenging review of the many talented and creative entries, the Top Ten Little Chef semi-finalists were announced on November 2. Their videos received over 11,000 votes from enthusiastic friends, family and fans throughout November.

The Little Potato Company is committed to feeding the world, better, and believes that helping kids and parents cook together is a great start. Their Little Chef Program provides tools and tips to help parents cook with their kids. The program includes Little Chef Approved recipes, age-appropriate tasks for kids 5 to 7, 8 to 10, and 11 to 13 years old, and information about the important skills they’ll learn as their kitchen skills evolve. The Little Chef-Approved recipes are popular not only with kids, but with adults, too. Recipes include Smashed Potato Pizza and Bacon Wrapped Creamer Potatoes, Little Chef Potato Skins, and more.

The contest was promoted and featured at major retailers across Canada and supported at the store level with “Little Chef Program” promotional material and programs.

About The Little Potato Company

The Little Potato Company specializes in little Creamer potatoes which are grown to be naturally buttery tasting, loaded with nutrition, easy to prepare and offer diverse, colourful and fun varieties. Several unique varieties are available in produce sections across Canada and the U.S., and have been delighting food lovers for almost 20 years. These little Creamers are sold pre-washed and cook in about 15 minutes. They’re also available in convenient Oven|Grill and Microwave Ready packs combining Creamers, seasoning mix and specialty trays for an even easier and also delicious experience. The Little Potato Company is passionate about potatoes and about helping children learn more about food and cooking through their “Little Chef Program” at www.LittlePotatoes.com/LittleChef.

ABOUT THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW

Hosted by Marilyn Denis and broadcast live before a studio audience, THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW is a daily lifestyle and entertainment talk show featuring Canadian and international celebrities and experts. Celebrities who have appeared on THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW include Sir Elton John, Shania Twain, Diane Keaton, Bradley Cooper, Hugh Jackman, Catherine O’Hara, Michael Bublé, Lionel Richie, Amy Poehler, and many more. Top lifestyle experts who have appeared on the show include Jamie Oliver, Dr. Oz, Rocco DiSpirito, Jillian Michaels, Randy Fenoli, Scott McGillivray, The Property Brothers, and more. THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW is produced by Bell Media Production, and Michelle Crespi is Executive Producer. Nanci MacLean is Vice-President, Bell Media Production. Mike Cosentino is Head, Programming, CTV Networks and CraveTV. Randy Lennox is President, Entertainment Production and Broadcasting, Bell Media. More information about THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW, including ticket information, can be found at Marilyn.ca, as well on Facebook and @TheMarilynShow.

ABOUT CTV

CTV is Canada’s #1 private broadcaster. Featuring a wide range of quality news, sports, information, and entertainment programming, CTV has been Canada’s most-watched television network for the past 14 years in a row. CTV is a division of Bell Media, Canada’s premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio, digital, and Out-of-Home. Bell Media is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada’s largest communications company. More information about CTV can be found on the network’s website at CTV.ca.

 Media Contact:

Emily Young Lee, Bell Media
T: 416.384.2593
Emily.YoungLee@Bellmedia.ca

For more information, or an interview with Angela Santiago:
Karen Cook
T: 604-551-9074
communications@littlepotatoes.com