GTCO Food and Drink 2024 Day 2 and 3: Facilitator Delights Audience during Masterclass Session with Humour
Written By Dedeigbo Ayodeji Samson
Posted By Town Crier News Nigeria
Published By Fitness Network Communications
One of the lead facilitators at the 2024 GTCO Food and Drink event in Lagos, Gale Gand, who trained the participants was quite impressive with a rich sense of humour making the masterclass sessions not just instructive but quite entertaining and exciting.
This further added colour to the beautiful and educative event series.
Over 50,000 participants turned out at the Day 2 GTCO Food and Drink.
Gale Gand is the Co-founder and partner at the Michelin two-star restaurant,Tru, Chicago ,where she was also pastry chef.
She hosted Food Network’s long-running show ,”Sweet Dreams” (Currently Streaming on Discovery plus ) .
The author of 8 Cookbooks,she also worked with Julia Child on her book and PBS series,” Banking with Julia” .
Gale teaches cooking classes all over the country and is an artisanal sodal pop maker , producing Gale’s Root Beer which is sold nationally.
Gand has received 2 James Beard Awards, has been inducted to the American Academy of Chefs, and the Chicago the Chicago Chefs Hall of Fame ,and was schooled in Paris at La Varenne.
Gale appears at many food and festivals across the world and is a professional pie and food competition judge.
MASTERCLASS TOPIC: JE NA SAIS QUOI – THE CLASSIC FRENCH MASTERCLASS WITH A TWIST – JEAN CHRISTOPHE NOVELLI
Once dubbed The nation’s most passionate, favourite French chef, Jean-Christophe Novelli embarked on his culinary journey at a young age, starting in a bakery at 14. He swiftly rose through the ranks, eventually becoming the head chef for Elie de Rothschild at their private residence in Paris by the tender age of 20. Relocating to the UK in the early 1980s, he initially honed his skills at Chewton Glen before being offered the opportunity to work alongside the legendary Keith Floyd, whom he served as a trusted aide.
Subsequently, Novelle ventured out on his own, establishing a collection of critically acclaimed restaurants worldwide. Notably, he takes great pride in his distinctive eatery in Belfast and the award-winning cookery school he founded in 2005, which continues to flourish.
MASTERCLASS TOPIC: EXPLORING THE ROLE OF A FOOD WRITER AND CRITIC IN THE CULINARY WORLD – TOM PARKER BOWLES
Tom Parker Bowles, an esteemed food critic, author, and broadcaster, is renowned for his passion for culinary exploration. With a distinctive palate finely tuned through years of tasting and writing, Tom brings a wealth of expertise to the table. As the son of the Duchess of Cornwall and stepson to Prince Charles, he navigates the culinary world with a unique perspective, blending his aristocratic heritage with a down-to-earth approach to food. Tom’s insightful reviews, engaging prose, and infectious enthusiasm for all things edible makes him a beloved figure in the world of food and drink journalism.
MASTERCLASS TOPIC: SOUTHERN COASTAL CUISINE – LISA BROOKS
Chef Lisa Brooks, a culinary trailblazer with a passion for authentic Southern cuisine and quality family time, returned to Charlotte, NC in 2010 to share her family’s recipes. With a blend of Southern heritage and classic French training, Chef Lisa transformed Heart & Soul Personal Chef Service into a thriving corporation, offering elite dining experiences.
In 2021, she established the Personal Chef Academy, LLC, empowering aspiring chefs, particularly women. Chef Lisa’s accolades include being a finalist on Food Network’s Chopped and being recognize by Forbes, Ebony, and Women’s Business Journal. Named 2022 Charlottean of the Year, Chef Lisa inspires others through her culinary artistry and passion for meaningful connections.
MASTERCLASS TOPIC: STRUCTURE OF THAI FOOD THROUGH “Jaew”- BO & Dylan
Chef Duangporn Songivsava (Bo) completed her Masters in Gastronomy in Adelaide, before returning to Bangkok to pursue a career in the kitchen, joining teams of Cy’an Bangkok and later Nahm in London. It was there she met Dylan Jones an both felt the time was ripe to open a truly remarkable Thai restaurant in her mother country.
Chef Dylan Jones began his training in Canberra ACT before relocating to the food-rich city of Melbourne. He developed an interest in Asian flavours and travelled extensively throughout Thailand before moving to London to work at Nahm. Without much persuasion from Bo, Dylan decided to relocate to Bangkok and open Bo.lan in early 2009.
Both chefs draw their inspiration and knowledge from an extensive collection of rare and antique Thai recipes, their travels in and around the country, and the time they spend with local farmers and artisans
MASTERCLASS TOPIC: UNCORKING YOUR WINE POTENTIAL – ROBIN MCBRIDE
Robin serves as the Board Chair and President of McBride Sisters Wine Company, a multinational organization headquartered in Oakland, California. It is in the top 1% of volume, largest Black-owned and largest women-founded wine company in the United States, as well as one of the most inclusive, accessible, and socially aware. Robin and her sister began importing wines from New Zealand in 2005 and started making their own wine together in 2009.
By spring 2017, the pair were producing wine from their hometowns in Monterey, California and Aotearoa, New Zealand under one label, McBride Sisters Collection. In 2018, they launched Black Girl Magic Wines, a celebratory wine brand paying homage to women in their family and community, and, in 2019, the sisters debuted SHE CAN Wines, a premium canned wine on International Women’s Day of the same year.
MASTERCLASS TOPIC: AUTHENTIC NEW ORLEANS CREOLE FOOD – BUNNY YOUNG
Chef Bunny, a native New Orleanian and renowned foodie, learned authentic Creole/Cajun cooking from her grandmothers and aunts, lifelong Creole cooks. After 25 years as an Accountant, she followed her passion and founded “Crawbabies LLC”, a New Orleans based restaurant and catering company in 2022.
Chef Bunny placed 2nd in her group in the Carla Hall Presents Favorite Chef competition and hosts “The Roux with Chef Bunny” on WBOK. Known for her food “popups” and takeover of Vaucresson Sausage Co’s kitchen, Chef Bunny is a sought-after culinary expert in NOLA, featured in news segments, radio shows, and print interviews. She’s the heart and soul of New Orleans’ culinary scene.
MASTERCLASS TOPIC: THE ART OF WHOLE HOG BBQ – RYAN MITCHELL
With a legendary pitmaster for a dad, Ryan Mitchell grew up enveloped by the aroma of barbecue. Ryan has been prepping hogs and tending coals alongside his dad, Ed Mitchell, for as long as he can remember. Whilst barbecue is in his blood, Ryan was not always eager to take up his father’s mantle. Instead, he was ready to forge his own path. However, the 2008 financial crisis quickly changed everything for him. He had to make significant life choices and realized that his heart and heritage were back in Barbecue.
Since then, he has worked with his father, continuing his family barbecue legacy and even earning the title of Pitmaster himself. Today, Ryan has become the face of the Mitchell family’s renowned craft. Ryan is one of the few remaining pitmasters to keep this barbecue tradition alive.
MASTERCLASS TOPIC: BEYOND PASTA: A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO ITALIAN CUISINE – ALDO ZILLI
Aldo Zilli is an award-winning celebrity chef who specializes in regional Italian cuisine. Born in Alba Adriatica, Italy, he learned cooking from his mother and attended catering college. Aldo founded and led several acclaimed London-based restaurants, including Zilli Fish, known for Italian seafood.
He has authored 10 books, including autobiographies and cookery books. Renowned for his vibrant personality, Aldo frequently appears on TV and radio as a presenter and chef, notably as a judge on Celebrity Masterchef. In 2019, he won Celebrity Hunted on Channel 4, raising money for Stand Up to Cancer. Aldo Zilli was honoured as ‘Best Chef 2022’ in the Best Restaurant Awards.
MASTERCLASS TOPIC: MASTERING CREAMY CHOCOLATE DESSERTS – GALE GAND
Gale Gand is the co-founder and partner at the Michelin two-star restaurant, Tru, Chicago, where she was also pastry chef. She hosted Food Network’s long-running show, “Sweet Dreams” (currently streaming on Discovery Plus). The author of 8 cookbooks, she also worked with Julia Child on her book and PBS series, “Baking with Julia”. Gale teaches cooking classes all over the country and is an artisanal soda pop maker, producing Gale’s Root Beer which is sold nationally.
She has received 2 James Beard Awards, has been inducted to the American Acaemy of Chefs, and the Chicago chefs Hall of fame, and was schooled in Paris at La Varenne. Gale appears at many Food and Wine festivals across the world and is a professional Pie and Food Competition Judge.
MASTERCLASS TOPIC: A JOYFUL CELEBRATION OF INDIAN HOME COOKING – MAUNIKA GOWARDHAN
Maunika Gowardhan, an esteemed Indian chef and author, hails from the vibrant city of Mumbai, India, but now calls the UK home. Drawing from her rich cultural background and upbringing, she crafts and shares traditional Indian delicacies infused with innovative flavors and ingredients.
With a cooking philosophy centered around simplicity and allure, Maunika expertly incorporate earthy spices, fragrant herbs, and takes inspiration from diverse communities across India, many of which have been cherished in her own family for generations, ensuring accessibility and authenticity in her dishes.
