Top Chef Canada Winner Francis Blais: From A Graffiti Master To An Incredible Food Artist
Top Chef Canada winner Chef Francis Blais shares his transformation from a graffiti master to an incredible food artist and acclaimed Canadian chef
Original story published on Behind the Plate with Kenzie Osborne
Sooo, who else watched Top Chef Canada this year??? Annnd, who else saw as Chef Francis literally KILLED it when he made a decadent orecchiette pasta (which he’d never seen before… annnd may not have been able to pronounce…)?
Chef Francis boasted incredible flavours throughout the season (according to the judges, of course… Hopefully one day I’ll be able to dive into one of his signature dishes and have a few tastes for myself). His flavours climbed him to the top, and his beautiful plating had him tackling each challenge with finesse n’ flare!
Free Of Care With A Passion To Share
Chef Francis grew up in a family that loved food — sort of…. They weren’t head-over-heels for the new “avant garde” dish, or seeking out the finest ingredients.. Instead, they loved the PURPOSE of food — and they appreciated the social relationships that came from each shared meal.
“I was always cooking with my mum. But, it was more of a social activity — it wasn’t really about the food or the flavours. It was just something that got us in the same room, doing an activity we both loved.”
The process of cooking can heal, unite, and uplift. Creating something from scratch with someone you love can form tight bonds, and create everlasting memories.
“The best memories are the ones surrounded by food. Sharing dishes, meeting new people, and spending time in restaurants — they all involve food!”
It’s A Whole New World, And He’s Loving Every “Bite” Of It
I guess Chef Francis always loved food — but I don’t think he really knew it at the time. He loved everything that food brought — the relationships, the memories, the sharing and the laughter. But, he never exactly dreamt of going into the culinary industry — nevermind winding up as the 2020 Top Chef Canada Winner!
“I landed in the culinary world a little bit by chance. When I was younger, I was getting into a bit of trouble and had to try to reintegrate myself into society. I was lost, without a job, and confused about what to do… One day, my friend and I were walking around town and he urged me to apply to this restaurant as a dishwasher. I really didn’t want to, but he said he wouldn’t hang out with me until I dropped off my CV…. So, I eventually gave in, and handed my CV to the restaurant. On my first day, I saw a beautiful girl at the front desk (spoiler alert: his current girlfriend!), and there was this vibe and energy that I loved. I wasn’t used to the luxury of a higher-end restaurant, but I was intrigued.”
Alright… Stop right there… Lets give a lil’ round of applause to that genius of a friend for getting Chef Francis into the kitchen.. I think I can speak for all of Canada when I say that our taste buds n’ tummies are ever-so-grateful!
Discovering The Art Of Cooking
The days passed by and Chef Francis slowly started to move away from the dishwasher. He was fascinated by how the chefs somehow turned boring, plain ingredients into beautiful art pieces on a plate. “The plating reminded me of the graffiti I had done as a young adult. It was really cool to me, and I began to appreciate the art of plating.”
Yup. We can tell. Did you see Chef Francis’s Top Chef Canada plates?? Uhmmm… They were stunning. Like, jaw-dropping gorgeous.
Though the graffiti was cool and the chefs were interesting to watch — Chef Francis was most excited about the way the kitchen made him feel. “When I started cooking, I felt like I was in my zone. Prior to the restaurant, I was completely lost — but as soon as I stepped through those doors I felt like I was a part of a family. Everyone was so supportive, and it just felt so good. I knew being in the restaurant was what I wanted to do… And my life began to change…”
Just like any good story, there’s always a “TSN turning point”. Well, this was Chef Francis’s version… The restaurant provided him a space to feel at home, to thrive, and to excel in a skill he was oh-so-good at.
The Secrets Of A Michelin Starred Restaurant
He continued to learn, grow, and focus on improving his skills. “I wasn’t partying anymore — I was training, and I kept a clear mind so I was ready and focussed in the kitchen.” His clear dedication and drive only propelled him forward — right into a two Michelin starred restaurant in Copenhagen!
Now, if it were me — I’d be terrified!! Kitchens are harsh and stressful enough as is — nevermind being at a restaurant serving the best of food with the highest of standards!
“I was expecting something really rigid, but in Copenhagen, they have more of an open mind approach to their kitchen team. Everyone has a voce and you actually spend time with the other chefs in the restaurant. We’d sit down to eat three meals a day together.”
Stop Right There…
Chefs sitting?? And eating full meals?? Together??? Unheard of… And that lil’ strategy needs to migrate right on over here — STAT!
“The kitchen atmosphere in Copenhagen is something I’ve brought back with me. It’s all about elevating each other in the kitchen and working together to create incredible experiences. I learned so much when I was working in the restaurant. I learned about new flavours, using local ingredients, and preserving produce for the winter. But by far the most striking lesson was the way they organized their kitchen. I see things differently now — I have more of an open mind, and I’ve been able to create a more positive atmosphere in the kitchen.”
As he continues to work with his team, Chef Francis is developing flavours and culinary experiences unlike any other. “When we bring on a new dish, it’s usually to highlight something new on the market. We like to vary with seasons, experiment with different preparations, and learn how to use whole food products to reduce food waste. Then, we use inspiration from our past experiences to create something memorable and exciting.”
He May Not Be Able To Pronounce It — But He Sure Can Make A Masterpiece With It…
Remember that soup Chef Francis made on the show?? Well folks — that’s the perfect example of drawing on a lil’ inspiration from home…
“My mum and I would fish for trout and make this creamy fish soup with potatoes and herbs. It’s been an inspiration for some of the dishes at my restaurant and on the show.”
Although i’m sure every dish that Chef Francis served on Top Chef Canada was absolutely delish, there was one in particular that had me in awh…
The orecchiette.
Why?
Because it stunned him.
Chef Francis couldn’t pronounce the pasta — let alone know how to make it!
Buttt, low-and-behold he NAILED it.
Uhmmm… how??
“I was honestly really upset when I found out I had to make orecchiette. It was an important challenge because two contestants were going home AND it was the semi finals. There was so much on the line, and I was given a dish I’d never made before.”
Preparing A Masterpiece A-La-Minute
“I think the difference was that I tested the dough before service. I went with simple flavours that I knew worked well.. For me, my favourite pairing has always been broccoli and cheese. Whether they’re in a gratin or a mac and cheese or something else — they always seem to work together. I stuck with those two simple flavours and prepared them in three different ways to elevate the dish. So, I transformed the broccoli to serve it crisp, powdered, and fresh. Simplifying the flavours allowed me to focus more on perfecting the dough, and elevating certain components to make the dish shine.”
Woah. That was cool to hear… Sometimes, you really don’t know what’s going on in a chef’s mind when they’re stumped. For some reason, I always assume that a chef always knows what to do — but that’s not the case at all. The difference between being a good chef and a great chef is being able to take ANY ingredient and make something magical — even if ya can’t even pronounce its name
Thank you so much to chef Francis for taking the time to speak with me. Congratulations on your Top Chef Canada win — and I hope to one day have the chance to taste your food. To stay up-to-date with Chef Francis’s newest culinary delights be sure to follow his instagram HERE! Annnd, if you want a lil’ taste of his food — check out Lemousso, where he’s proudly earned the title as an incredible chef du cuisine!
Craving A Lil’ More?
- Check out my interviews with fellow Top Chef Canada Winners
- Nicole Gomes
- Carl Heinrich
