While Takeout Wars was the episode where we bid adieu to chef Galasa Aden, a surprise twist on Top Chef Canada will see him cooking to get back into the competition come Monday, May 17. The suspense!
The chef explains that he has always loved being in the kitchen from a young age, but fell in love with the art of professional cooking while working in a restaurant as he was also pursuing an engineering degree. The chef-in-training left the program and wound up working in many recognizable Calgary eateries, most recently Deane House in the city's Inglewood neighbourhood.
Galasa was named one of Canada’s Top Young Chefs To Watch by The Globe and Mail and one day hopes to operate his own restaurant with a menu that draws inspiration from his Ethiopian background. He says it is his wish to inspire a new generation of black chefs.
As the executive chef of Cliffhanger Restaurant at Greywolf Golf Course just outside of the picturesque B.C. mountain town Invermere, home these days–the Calgary-raised talent is certainly no stranger to the city. Here's his favourite spots for eats and drinks in Calgary.
Top Chef Canada airs Monday nights at 8 p.m. MDT / 10 p.m. ET on Food Network Canada.
Breakfast
I love the options available at OEB. The atmosphere is awesome and the food always looks and tastes so good! I always get the confit de canard, without question!
Lunch
I go to Moose and Poncho for the best tacos in the city–no disrespect to my friends at ConMi Taco. It’s a tiny little place in Chinatown pumping out amazing products. I love how inconspicuous it is, and how it feels like you walked into a small part of Mexico.
The flavour-bursting tacos will have you coming back again and again.
Dinner
King of Shawarma on 13th Street S.W. is hands down the best shawarma in town. I could eat here every day of the week for dinner and be happy.
They are, in fact, the "king" of shawarma!
Drinks
I go to Hayden Block for a proper old fashioned. I love the atmosphere and being able to [sit at the bar and] watch your cocktails get curated!
Check out our recap of Top Chef Canada Season 9: Takeout Wars
