*Pic by Erika S - HollywoodvsReality
Cristina Mucciardi, founder of Cook and Date
For those of you that are unfamiliar with the new, hip dating scene of the 21st century, let me assure you that there are many, modern and funky ways to meet your future prince or princess. Enter "Cook and Date" as one of those hip options for today's singles. Founder and Miss Entrepreneur, Cristina Mucciardi, believes in her service. She has come up with a simple recipe really; she hires star chefs to teach singles how to cook. While the average single man or woman is adding a dash of salt and a sprinkle of sugar to certain recipes, they are also adding a pinch of flirtation as part of the ingredients.
The idea was born while travelling through Paris on holiday where a chef was giving cooking classes to singles but on a much smaller scale. Cristina, presently a vibrant and self-reliant 32 year-old came back to Montreal and was determined to add her own spin to the idea. No doubt, her own personal experiences, such as growing up in a close-knit Italian family helped throughout the whole process. She was surrounded by good food and a generous helping of family. In her own words, "food is love", and the idea that she could help singles find love and "get happy", tickled her tummy. She feels that the whole internet dating scene is deceptive because some singles are not honest about their looks, their age or their height whereas an activity such as Cook and Date helps since you must come as you are. She plans to expand her scrumptious company abroad. The only concept of its kind in North America, it is presently operating in Montreal and Toronto but is slated to hit New York City this year.
Miss Mucciardi has garnered much praise for her local culinary events; however, her latest was a hit of monumental proportions. Chuck Hughes, celebrity chef from famed culinary show, "Chuck's Day Off" was her latest exploit. Hughes' show can be viewed on Food Network Canada and on the U.S. Cooking Channel. He is a popular chef and owner of Old Montreal's trendy restaurant, Garde Manger. The two young professionals teamed up in order to produce another successful Cook and Date event, which took place late in 2010 at the Viking Centre in TMR. ET Canada and CTV News were on the scene broadcasting that special event as I, Erika from HollywoodvsReality caught up with the nouveau chef for a little Q & A session. And yes ladies, he is as cute and as humble as the image he portrays on t.v.
Q & A:
1. Describe a day in the life of Chuck Hughes.
*I cook and I basically have one day off per week.
2. Why did you switch careers, from advertising to becoming a star chef?
*I disliked working in an office, I would much rather wash dishes than scan through reports.
3. What is your fondest memory connected to food?
*I am just passionate about eating; I am fond of eating...
4. What is your funniest cooking disaster?
*Honestly, every day is a disaster.
5. Chocolate or vanilla?
*Presently it is chocolate but my all time fave right now is apple cobbler.
6. What do you think about Nutella?
*I love it! I recently tried a Nutella pizza in New York which was incredible.
7. Your favorite cheese?
*I would have to say Blue cheese...I was obsessed with Stilton for a while.
8. Where did you grow up & can you describe your family life?
*I grew up in the St. Sauveur region, just north of Montreal in Canada. My parents were very loving and we were close but then my dad passed away when I was ten and we moved closer to the city. My mom remarried and my step-dad became my father figure. They have a cottage in the Magog area and I go there every chance I get.
9. What other passions do you possess besides cooking?
*Hockey...I also enjoy skiing, working out, listening to music, playing with my dog and riding around in my scooter.
10. Are there any political or social issues you feel passionately about?
*Troubled teens, homeless kids...organizations like "Dans la Rue" touch me profoundly and I try to help out when I can.
11. Any favorite movie or actor you would like to mention?
*Yes, I love the movie "Goodfellas" and my favorite scene is the jail scene. Here are a bunch of mobsters waiting to go on trial and what are they up to...they are cooking. They are cutting garlic and making sauce. To a chef like me that is a classical moment! You gotta love Italian food; it is so simple and made with lots of Amore!
12. What do you most enjoy about starring in your own culinary TV show, namely "Chuck's Day Off"?
*It is really simple, I get to do what I love most: cook! The only difference is that I now do it for an audience and it is on a much bigger scale.
***Well, thank-you Chuck for taking the time on your day off to talk to us, HollywoodvsReality, and we will surely tune into your show on Food Network Canada and on the Cooking Channel in the U.S.
***Thank-you Cristina Mucciardi from Cook and Date, anyone interested in attending a culinary event should check out their website @ cookanddate.com
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