As the first contestant from Newfoundland and Labrador to compete on Canada’s Drag Race, it should have come as no surprise that St. John’s-based drag queen Irma Gerd was going to bring their A-game.
In addition to serving as one of Newfoundland’s premier performers, Irma Gerd is also one of the founding members of the non-binary drag collective the Phlegm Fatales.
Hot off an impressive performance in last week’s Lip Sync challenge, the East Coast fan-favourite will be hoping their weird, wild, and wonderful—with a touch of ugly—drag-style all the way to the Season 3 finale.
We recently had a chance to catch up with the talented self-described “drag creature”, who took some time to dish on their favourite food and drink spots in St. John’s.
Canada's Drag Race Season 3 airs weekly on Thursday nights on Crave at 9 p.m. ET.
Why should people tune in to watch CDR Season 3?
This season is bringing you drag from parts of the country that have not been shown before, it’s bringing you brand new looks, and this season is going bigger than any season yet!
What’s your favourite part about being a drag queen in the city you’re based in?
I love being from Newfoundland and Labrador, this province is known for giving heart and comedy. I think that’s been a huge influence on the drag that I want to do. Drag is art, but it’s never afraid to take the piss.
How does drag have a positive impact on a city’s cultural scene?
St. John’s has a very rich nightlife scene with George Street having the most bars per capita in all of North America, but it’s a lot of folk music and Irish pub vibes. Drag has become a big part of the scene in recent years and it’s such a breath of fresh queer air that is revitalizing the city’s culture.
What are some of your favourite places to eat and drink in St. John's?
Breakfast
I’ve never heard of this meal you call breakfast, but let me introduce you to my good friend Brunch!
I’m a fan of a really good eggs Benny with a bottomless coffee—this town already has too many bottoms. I love meeting with my queers for a hungover brunch at Blue on Water. There is a big cozy table in the back that is perfect for spilling the tea of last night’s events and recuperating that splitting headache that comes from drinking anything after the age of thirty.
Lunch
The world knows I love a local pizza joint - Greco Pizza is Atlantic Canada’s fav ‘za, but sometimes I am feeling like the little fancy girl that I am and I treat myself to the surprisingly affordable and unsurprisingly delicious lunch special at Piatto.
Their Stephanie pizza with EVOO, goat cheese, prosciutto, caramelized pears, and a drizzle of balsamic reduction… Dang Steph, you really had to go off, didn’t you sis?
Dinner
I couldn’t in good conscience write about food in St. John’s and not talk about Mallard Cottage. A few years ago I went there with Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman and we had the most incredible spread of foods prepared by the world renowned chefs at Mallard. You don’t have to be a celebrity to eat there—though you may feel like one.
Mallard Cottage is nestled in the beautiful fishing village of Quidi Vidi in the heart of St. John’s, and what you’ll lack in cell phone service you’ll make up for in dinner service. Its intimate atmosphere and daily crafted menu of fresh caught/foraged fare brings foodies from all around the world to the beautiful shores of the Atlantic Ocean.
Drinks
Coffee is the sole reason I am on this planet, and Toslow has one of the best Oat Latte’s in the city. But it’s also a fact that no pastry will ever beat one of their lemon or partridgeberry danishes.
But wait, there’s more! Too late in the day for a coffee? Stick around for a divine cocktail and sit in the window overlooking the beautiful St. John’s Harbour!
