CTV’sTHE MARILYN DENIS SHOWannounced today that Maple Leaf Foods Inc. has signed on as culinary sponsor for the show’s “The Search for the Next Marilyn Cooking Expert” casting call. After a nation-wide callout, six self-proclaimed master chefs take part in a week-long (Feb. 18 – 22) series of intense culinary challenges using Maple Leaf Foods Inc. products. On Friday, Feb. 22, Canada’s queen of daytime, Marilyn Denis will announce who the judges and viewers at home have chosen as the new cooking expert live on THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW. Viewers can also participate in the challenge on Feb. 21, by voting online for their favourite hopeful; visit marilyn.ca for details. THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW airs live Monday-Friday at 10 a.m. ET on CTV, CTV.ca, and CTV Mobile, and then again at 11 a.m. ET on CTV Two, and on demand at marilyn.ca.“An iconic Canadian brand, Maple Leaf Foods is the perfect partner to help us find the next MARILYN Cooking Expert,” said Mary Kreuk, Vice-President, Brand Partnerships, Bell Media. “Maple Leaf products can be found in kitchens across the country, and this initiative will demonstrate even more exciting ways for Canadians to incorporate these much-loved products into their everyday meals.”
“Partnering with THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW is the perfect fit for our brand,” said Stephen Graham, Chief Marketing Officer, Maple Leaf Foods. “Marilyn Denis and Christine Cushing deliver great insight on the latest food and health trends, and we are pleased to join them in celebrating up-and-coming Canadian talent and showcasing Maple Leaf’s iconic products and brands.”
Hosted by MARILYN resident chef Christine Cushing, “The Search for the Next Marilyn Cooking Expert” features Maple Leaf Foods chef Shannon Brubacher as a regular judge on each of the challenges. The finalists cook and prepare dishes with Maple Leaf Foods Inc.’s leading consumer brands, including Dempster’s®, Maple Leaf Prime®, and Olivieri®.
Each daily challenge also features a special guest judge, including award-winning chef and TV personality Rocco DiSpirito (Feb. 18); MARILYN resident chef Roger Mooking and design expert Amanda Forrest (Feb. 19); French-Canadian chef and restaurateur Chuck Hughes (Feb. 20); and Gemini Award-nominated TV personality/chef Lynn Crawford (Feb. 21). The new cooking expert will be announced live on THE MARILYN DENIS SHOW (Feb. 22).
The initiative kicks off a year-long partnership with Maple Leaf Foods Inc., which also includes in-show segments and digital integration.
The six Canadian hopefuls vying for the top spot as MARILYN’s next cooking expert are:
Lorraine Powell, 53
(Richmond Hill, ON)
Occupation: Certified Personal Chef and full-time cooking school instructor.
Kirk McLean, 30
(Whitby, ON)
Occupation: Former personal chef for the New Zealand Ambassador of the European Union, and currently working as a home chef for his wife Jennifer and their nine-month-old son.
Lester Austin, 42
(Aurora, ON)
Occupation: Trained chef and lifestyle coach.
Stephanie Gosselin, 27
(Montreal, QC)
Occupation: Publicity sales rep and at home cook.
Joanna Tymkiw, 31
(Toronto, ON)
Occupation: Contributor to food magazines and blogs.
Elysia Vandenhurk, 26
(Saskatoon, SK)
Occupation: Entrepreneur and Red Seal chef.
