Just in time to launch the second season of Top Chef Canada, Calgary-based Chef Connie DeSousa of CHARCUT was in Edmonton last Sunday to help promote the kick-off, as well as one of the show’s major sponsors. Appliances Unlimited, one of two vendors in the city that offer the GE Monogram line of appliances, hosted the appearance. The hour-long session saw Connie demo not one, but two dishes.
Chef Connie DeSousa
The Edmonton Journal’s Liane Faulder did a wonderful job of mc-ing the morning, asking Connie a variety of questions spanning her career, time on Top Chef, and home cooking habits.
Liane Faulder on the mic!
Five things I learned about Connie that I didn’t know:
- She has a background in ballet.
- If she had a choice, she would take on Bobby Flay on Iron Chef America.
- Hot chocolate is her vice.
- Her favourite home appliance is her immersion blender and stand mixer (plus all of its attachments).
- She has dined at both D’Lish and Corso 32 in Edmonton.
Connie demoed two applications of her recipe for homemade goat cheese. The first was a goat cheese-topped roasted beet salad. This dish really showcased CHARCUT’s philosophy of “evolving simple ingredients” – trying to highlight the best of what quality, local ingredients have to offer.
Roasted beet salad with goat cheese and lemon-infused olive oil
I particularly liked her second dish, a no-bake cheesecake that layered preserved cherries and graham crackers between the whipped goat cheese. At CHARCUT, these desserts are served in half-cup mason jars, but whatever the vessel, I could see myself making this at home!
No-bake goat cheese cheesecake with cherry preserves
Edmontonians might be seeing more of Connie in the near future. We asked her about rumours that Charpop (CHARCUT’s wildly successful pop-up restaurant concept that took Calgary by storm) would be setting up shop in Edmonton, and though she wouldn’t confirm (or deny), I’d like to think it’s a safe bet with the number of fans she has in this city.
Connie with two of her fans
Thanks again to the event organizers for the invitation!
You can take a look at my full photoset here. Liane and Chris recapped the demos as well.
Only Here for the Food 