I almost titled this post “Chef Michael Smith Giveaway” but quickly realized that I don’t think he would have appreciated me trying to give him away! So Chef Michael Smith Cookbook Giveaway it is!
His newest book Family Meals to be exact. And to make it super special I had him autograph it too!
I have been following Chef Michael’s (he doesn’t know it, but we are on a first name basis now!) adventures in the kitchen for many years on Food Network Canada. I finally had the pleasure of meeting him at a book signing on the weekend. He did not disappoint. First thing I noticed as he walked into the venue were his flip flops! I thought to myself “yup, you can tell he is from PEI”! He was so relaxed and, well, normal Just really, really tall!
Even those of us sitting at the back could see him without a problem!
His current show, Chef Michael’s Kitchen, is as real as it is going to get! He prepares easy, family meals in his own amazing kitchen. I cannot even tell you how much I love this kitchen. It is the perfect balance of chef’s kitchen and family kitchen. It was featured on House and Home On-Line TV and you can see it here! Go ahead. I’ll wait!
Now tell me you don’t want a cooling rack built in beside your oven!
He is also on Chopped Canada, which returning for a second season!
He is really entertaining in person, and although I was expecting to stand in a line and wait for him to sign my books, I was pleasantly surprised when he gave a fun talk about some of his favorite culinary experiences through the years. He also spoke passionately about the importance of sharing meals with your family. About cooking with everyday ingredients so you don’t end up with a bottle of some kind of sauce left over in your fridge you will never use again!
My favorite story was his first experience as a published chef! Let me just tell you this. He will always have a cookie recipe in his cookbooks!
After his talk, he actually sat ON the table and not behind it to sign everyone’s books and took the time to take a picture for any and all who requested it.
3 Generations of Chef Michael Smith Fans! My youngest daughter, Sam. My mom and myself!
When I went up with my two books. One for me and one for Red Cottage Chronicles he actually said “you were on twitter earlier today” Knock me over with a feather!! I had tweeted earlier in the day how excited I was to be going to the book signing! I mentioned to him that next summer when we are in PEI I will definitely have to make the trek past Charlottetown to visit The Flavour Shack from the Malpeque area of PEI where we stay. He mentions the Ship To Shore restaurant which was right across the bridge from my sisters place but is now sadly closed! I love that he was really connected even though it was such a brief conversation! I would have been happy if he had have said “uh huh”!
Now, for my US friends, I am not sure whether you can see his shows on The Food Network. You can always try this link, to view his shows on-line on Food Network Canada!
Now for the real fun! Enter using the rafflecopter widget below to win a signed copy of Family Meals, With recipes like Bacon Salad with Crispy Onions or A Pan of Pork Chops with Marmalade Mustard Pan Sauce, and Flaming Banana Splits, it will be well used in any kitchen! It even has a section on lunch-box tips! And a cookie recipe!
Contest is closed! Congratulations to the winner!
(Chef Michael Smith is in no waiting affiliated with this giveaway and this is not a sponsored post. I simply want to share my love of the work of this talented Chef!)
Monda says
Love your post and love chef Michael..
Sandra Frayne says
Your blog about the Chef Michael Smith book signing was great….I noticed that I had a silly grin on my face as I read it. Well told!!
Jealous in Beamsville 🙂
Maureen says
I think I had the same silly grin when I was sitting there listening to him talk!!
Mommy Got Fit! says
I am in the US and haven’t heard of him before this post. I’m totally going to check him out!
Maureen says
Really hope the links I included work in the US. I had no way of testing that 🙁
Tamara says
Maureen, so envious that you met him, lucky, lucky you! So happy for you that you talked to him 🙂 When I read your blog the other day saying you were going to see him I got excited for you and hoped you managed to get a good picture of him, wow, more than a great picture of him and you but also an autograph and a chat! 🙂
Maureen says
Tamara, he was so amazingly gracious.
chrissy says
People from PEI would say Michael Smith is “from away” as he was born in New York. I ate at the Chef’s Table at his restaurant, Maple, in Halifax many years ago. It was an experience never to forget. I wish he still worked in restaurants.
If you head to the Flavour Shack, you should check out Basin Head for swimming. It’s a lot of fun.
Maureen says
True that Chrissy! But he is just so darn passionate about his adopted home I forget he is a New Yorker!! I wonder if he does too. Thanks so much for the tip about Basin Head. It is really time we ventured past Charlottetown as it sounds like we are missing out on lots more the wonderful island has to offer!
Chrissy says
Pamure Island is my favourite beach in the world. It’s just past Montague. Our summers were spent on the Cardigan River. Many memories!
SUMMER PLEWES says
I think it is important to have meals as a family because as a society based on convenience we have lost that cherished part of life were we just sit down and talk over food.
Maureen says
I completely agree! I find that taking the time to cooking from scratch really makes one slow down, and including family in the prep makes it that much better. Not to mention the satisfaction of sitting down and enjoying it all together!
Josh S says
It brings the family closer when we eat and talk together.
Maureen says
So true!
SandyS says
A Canadian Culinary Legend – lucky you!
Jeanie says
I’m so happy for you that you got to not only meet him, but also get his autograph and have that fabulous photo taken!
andrea amy (@mommy2fiveboys) says
I have never really thought about why its important to be honest, we’ve just always had meals together. I cook 360 days a year, and expect everyone to sit down and eat together (except my oldest son who is on his own now, and my husband if he’s still working). I cook, we sit, we eat. Great time to catch up on the day and just be in the same room together.
Maureen says
Love it Andrea Amy! This is exactly how it was when I was growing up! Mom cooked, set the table and we were expected to be at it! No one complained. It was like that for all of my friends too…..and we had to help with the dishes at the end of the meal!
Lori @ A Bright and Beautiful Life says
I love this post, Maureen! He sounds like a genuinely nice person. That’s so nice that he chatted and stood in for pictures instead of just rushing you through like cattle. The cookbook sounds like it has a lot of family-friendly recipes. I watched the little video and wow, what a kitchen! I’m loving that he lives on PEI. I’ve never been there but the Anne of Green Gables series are my absolute favorite books in the whole world and it’s on my bucket list to visit there some time. Thanks for the giveaway, Maureen.
Kim says
Yay!!! What a great giveaway! Looks like a great cookbook.