Kelowna chef to compete on Food Network's 'Fire Masters'
A chef at Kelowna’s Salt & Brick restaurant and Jack's Pizza & Liquor will be featured on Food Network Canada for a second time this year.
James Holmes first appeared on Food Network Canada when Salt & Brick was featured on Big Food Bucket Bucket List in February and now the chef will be seen competing on Fire Masters. The episode airs June 3.
READ MORE: Another Kelowna restaurant to be featured on Food Network Canada
The filming for the episode was done roughly a year and a half ago with the expectation he would be featured in the show’s second season but with the COVID-19 pandemic, the episode was pushed back to the third season. The episode is called A Fiery Tale.
It’s similar to Chopped Canada where three chefs compete using open flame outdoors in multiple rounds for the top spot, he said.
“I’m just excited to be (featured) twice in the last four months on the Food Network and with Siobhan being on Top Chef… it’s been really good for Kelowna I think,” Holmes said.
READ MORE: Kelowna chef to compete in Canada's Top Chef
With the show Big Food Bucket Bucket List there was a huge influx of interest at the Salt & Brick.
“While we were still indoor dining, it was weird to have people coming in because of the show… it was humbling and really cool at the same time," Holmes said.
He considers himself to be a competition chef, and competed at the Gold Medal Plates in 2019.
During COVID-19, restaurants have been greatly impacted due to temporary shutdowns. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry’s latest order banned indoor dining for at least three weeks.
He’s grateful people continue to support the industry, however people seem to be tired of takeout.
“I think people are getting to the point of, as much as we’re tired of doing takeout, I think people are tired of eating takeout. I think people are ready for patios and summer and I think that’s maybe why we’re not seeing it as much this time around,” Holmes said.
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