“When asked, it's
easier for my wife Cynthia and I to just sum it up by saying we've
cooked for Prime Ministers, Presidents, Billionaires, Celebrities and
Royalty”. This spectacular 'career sum up' is that of Celebrity
Chef Jonathan Collins, who I recently had the pleasure of
interviewing. The Presidents he mentions casually include Felipe
Calderón, the recently incumbent president of Mexico (now former)
and the newly re-elected Barack Obama of the United States. The
Royalty? The Queen's son and daughter-in-law; Charles, Prince of
Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. Billionaires include the
family of Galen Weston and The Honourable Hilary Weston in their
Florida estate. Celebrities include actor D. David Morin and CBC's
Stephen (Sabados) and Chris (Hyndman). Leaving the official residence
of 24 Sussex Drive, where Johnathan Collins worked as chef for our
own Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his family.
Only
about eight years ago, Johnathan and his wife had enough of their
corporate lifestyle, and decided to start the challenge of fulfilling
their long time dream- owning a restaurant. But they wanted the best
training around to help them achieve this dream, so Jonathan
remembered the training of the famous American chef Julia Child
(inspiration for the 2009 film Julie
& Julia)
and together they applied and attend Le Cordon Bleu, Ottawa Culinary
Arts Institute. After a year, they were offered a job in the French
Alps, and throughout their early years, cooking sabbaticals were
taken in France, Italy and Spain. School also provided him the
chance, as mentioned earlier, to work under Chef Oliver Bartsch
at the official residence of Stephen Harper. Eventually being able to
take over when Oliver was away, then receiving a job himself. This
seems the dream job for anyone, well, at least me. But imagine how
hard this would be when everywhere you went on this early fast paced
career journey you had with you three children. Which is also part of
the experience of Jonathan and Cynthia, with them were sons Decota,
and Bailey and daughter Blair (later to join the Collins family were
now 5 year old Grace and 18-month-old Blake). Jonathan explained how
this may not be a good fit for others, but he was and always will be
part of a package deal that includes his family. So when he worked
for Harper, the family was there too. When he went to Florida to work
for the Weston's they all came down as well. Not to mention when he
cooked for Charles and Camilla, while he was working in the
residence; the family lived in the house next door.
Having
a job where he could work with his family was as Jonathan says, a
dream come true. This dream was realized in two instances. First was
with the family owned restaurant Shutters on the Beach in Port Bruce,
Ontario where they all took a part. The second came from when he was
invited to cook on CBC's Stephen and Chris. As soon as he stepped of
stage and out of the cameras reach he felt an adrenalin like never
before. He wanted a show where he could cook, and be with his
family. When reaching out to producers, all they wanted from him was
a 'Jersey Shore drama' according to Jonathan. But these run your
life, and ruin your family. So he started his own production company,
Convergence Pictures. The aim, as the name implies is the idea to
converge the power of media with the ability to cook for large
numbers of people. Convergence Pictures produces it's own show, shown
on Rogers Television called “Hungry
For Family”
staring the whole Collins Family from Jonathan all the way down to
18-month-old Blake. The show, which can also be seen full on YouTube,
follows the family as they travel around Southwestern Ontario
exploring the adventures it offers (wine tasting, zip-lining not to
mention bee beards!) while they take turns cooking; a new twist on
the normal cooking show. But Southwestern Ontario isn't where the
family wants to draw the line. Actor, Director and Producer, not to
mention a friend of Jonathan's, D. David Morin is currently working
in South Africa, where the contrast between some of the families
there could not be more extreme in comparison to the Collins family.
This contrast is what Jonathan wants to explore, with his dream of
taking the show Hungry
for Family to
the international community in future seasons. Traditional foods from
all around the world, stories and histories told by families from
their homes in nations abroad, not to mention exploring the
adventures and experiences faced in the those countries. As always,
this would be (and is) a whole family dream and project.
From
a recent event, comes the show's first foray into the international
community. The destruction of Hurricane Sandy, in New York City.
Leaving only two weeks after our interview, the whole family will be
going on a six day prospecting trip. While here they will clean up
the streets, remove rubble, shovel debris, spread photos to help find
lost ones, not to mention cook for the other helpers and those who
are still living in shelters or on the streets- funded out of their
own pocket and donation only. These experiences which will be both
streamed live and also made into a one hour special for the show
don't want to focus on the bad, which we see every day. They want
everyone to see the compelling, true stories of the good everyone is
doing for New York, and the good New York is doing for itself. The
goal being 'a grassroots Canadian response.'
The
ability to do this, as a Canadian, is how Jonathan wanted me to end.
By saying these few final ideas we talked about during our interview.
Whether you're attending Laurier as a student from this province,
country, or international; there are a lot of amazing opportunities
granted to you every day. So go for your dream, if it's cooking for
royalty, making a television show or partaking in international aid,
because as Chef Jonathan Collins says; “Although there may be
opposition, be willing to stand in it. As much as this may sound
cliche, stand up for your dreams. It's always worth it.”
Awesome work Cody :)
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