WHO CAN TAME THE FLAME? FOOD NETWORK CANADA’S ORIGINAL SERIES FIRE MASTERS PREMIERES MARCH 21 AT 10 P.M. ET/PT

February 21st, 2019

Chefs from Across North America Compete to Earn the Coveted Title of Fire Masters Champion and $10,000 Prize

Host and Professional Chef Dylan Benoit is Joined by a Rotating Panel of Renowned, All-Star Judges

Food Network Canada is on National Free Preview for March and April

For Immediate Release

TORONTO, February 21, 2019 – Food Network Canada enters the inferno this spring with a sizzling, new Canadian original series from Corus Studios, Fire Masters (10x60min). Hosted by professional chef Dylan Benoit, each episode sees three chefs push their grilling talents to the limit as they battle in two culinary challenges, cooking up flame-kissed dishes to impress a rotating panel of three esteemed judges. Once two chefs are eliminated, the last one standing goes head-to-head with a renowned judge in the third round, vying for $10,000 cash and the title of Fire Masters Champion. Fire Masters premieres Thursday, March 21 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Food Network Canada. Highlighting the culinary talent across North America, chef competitors entering the Fire Masters arena hail from Port Moody and Vancouver, B.C., Mont Pearl, N.L., Calgary and Edmonton, Alta., Montreal, Que., Toronto, Ont., Orlando, Fla., Ocean Springs, Miss., and more. In the premiere episode “Hearts on Fire” airing on March 21, “The Signature” round heats up fast with three executive chefs, Erik Dandee from Palm Springs, Calif., Trish Gill from Windsor. Ont., and Marco Niccoli from Salt Lake City, Utah. All three competitors showcase their best flame game with their signature dishes, to be judged on presentation, creativity and taste. In the “Crossfire” round, the chefs choose between two featured ingredients to incorporate into their dish. Finally, in the “Feast of Fire”, the final chef goes head-to-head against a Fire Masters judge. Each will have a sous chef to cook up a full feast inspired by a theme and one of them forages for the win. For the full list of competitors, please visit foodnetwork.ca. Food Network Canada welcomes new host, Dylan Benoit, as he oversees each fiery battle, and brings serious culinary credibility to the table. Dylan has travelled to nearly 40 countries and has over a decade of experience working as a chef in prestigious kitchens, including Top Chef Canada head judge, Mark McEwan’s One Restaurant and the three-Michelin-starred restaurant Alinea in Chicago, Ill. Originally from Barrie, Ont., he now resides in the Cayman Islands, running a private chef service and consulting company. Joining Dylan, the competitors need to impress a rotating panel of renowned, flame-fanatic judges including:

  • Kevin Bludso, Los Angeles, Calif. (Bludso’s BBQ)
  • Mike Callaghan, London, Ont. (International Pitmaster)
  • Connie DeSousa, Calgary, Alta. (CHARCUT Roast House, charbar, Alley Burger, Rooftop Bar @ Simmons, Top Chef Canada, Season 1 and All-Stars)
  • Tiffani Faison, Boston, Mass. (Sweet Cheeks, Tiger Mama, Fool’s Errand)
  • Nicole Gomes, Calgary, Alta. (Nicole Gourmet Catering, Cluck N’ Cleaver, Top Chef Canada, Season 3 and All-Stars winner)
  • Andy Husbands, Boston, Mass. (The Smoke Shop)
  • Eddie Jackson, Houston, Texas (Rose Hill Beer Garden, Fit Chef Studio, Food Network Star, Christmas Cookie Challenge)
  • Ray Lampe, St. Petersburg, Fla. (Dr. BBQ)
  • Dale MacKay, Saskatoon, Sask. (Ayden Kitchen & Bar, Little Grouse on the Prairie, Sticks and Stones, Avenue Restaurant, Top Chef Canada, Season 1 winner)
  • Hugh Mangum, New York City, N.Y. (Mighty Quinn’s Barbeque)
  • Amy Mills, Murphysboro, Ill. (17th Street Barbecue, OnCue Consulting)·       Andrea Nicholson, Toronto, Ont. (Butchies, Top Chef Canada, Season 1 and All-Stars)
  • Devan Rajkumar, Toronto, Ont. (ChefDev Catering Company)

In every episode of Fire Masters, the chef challengers will sear the competition using grilling appliances provided by Napoleon. As the exclusive provider of grills and equipment, the fully-outfitted Fire Masters arena boasts the latest, innovative tools with Napoleon featured extensively throughout each episode. Additionally, as the competition heats up, the winner of each second round is awarded a Napoleon Travel portable grill. Stocking the pantry in a big way for a one-time episode challenge is The Little Potato Company, where the chefs are tasked with highlighting creamer potatoes in a versatile way for their dish. Certified Angus Beef fills up the fridge in the arena as the exclusive beef provider for the series, with visual branding elements on display in each competition round. Certified Angus Beef is also featured in two episode integrations, challenging the chefs to utilize different cuts of beef to blaze their way to the top.

Adding flame to the fire on foodnetwork.ca, viewers can learn more about host Dylan Benoit and the judges with Q&A videos, and go behind the scenes with a pantry tour in the arena. Focusing on the spring barbecue season, tip videos from the host and judges will be available weekly covering everything from charcoal usage to how to cook the perfect chicken, vegetables and dessert on a grill. Episodes will be available after broadcast at foodnetwork.ca and On Demand with participating service providers.

Food Network Canada is available on a National Free Preview from March 1 to April 30. Please check local listings for additional details.

Fire Masters is produced by Architect Films in association with Corus Studios for Food Network Canada.

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Food Network Canada is a Corus Entertainment Network.

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About Corus Entertainment Inc.
Corus Entertainment Inc. (TSX: CJR.B) is a leading media and content company that creates and delivers high quality brands and content across platforms for audiences around the world. The company’s portfolio of multimedia offerings encompasses 44 specialty television services, 39 radio stations, 15 conventional television stations, a global content business, digital assets, live events, children’s book publishing, animation software, technology and media services. Corus’ roster of premium brands includes Global Television, W Network, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network Canada, HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, HISTORY®, Showcase, National Geographic Channel, Q107, CKNW, Fresh Radio, Disney Channel Canada, YTV and Nickelodeon Canada. Visit Corus at www.corusent.com.


For more information, please contact: 

Emily Crane
Associate Publicist, Lifestyle Content
Corus Entertainment
416.860.4220  emily.crane@corusent.com

Devon Cavanagh
Publicity Coordinator, Lifestyle Content
Corus Entertainment
416.479.6712  Devon.cavanagh@corusent.com