A Quick Bite With Michael Smith

Prince Edward Island native, Chef Michael Smith is an award-winning cookbook author, newspaper columnist, restaurant chef and home cook.  While he is best known as the host of Chef at Home, Chef at Large and The Inn Chef, the role closest to his heart is playing Dad to son Gabriel. Tweeps can keep up with his island food adventures (including a new web video series) by following @chefMICHAELsmth. Recently we caught up with Michael and found out what he’s been hiding under the table for all these years….

Q: What’s your earliest food memory?

A: Apple picking  in the orchards around my house.

Q: What was your favourite food as a child?

A: My Mom’s apple pie.

Q: Is there a food you loathed as a child and have since learned to enjoy? Or maybe you still can’t stand it?

A: I grew up in an era where moms thought it was important to feed kids calves liver once a week; I hated it then and loathe it today. I used to slip pieces of it to the family cat or hide it under the table. Years later we were having Thanksgiving and telling the story and sure enough there was a fossilized piece still under the table!

Q: What’s your default, throw-together-and-wow-everyone meal?

A: Penna with tomato bacon sauce.

Q: What’s the one meal you’d love to make but fear is too complicated?

A: Pork belly.

Q: What’s your favourite to cook or bake with someone else?

A: I love making apple sauce for the winter with my son every fall.

Q: What do you love most about cooking?

A: Sharing healthy flavours.