Trigger and content warning: In this episode, we discuss violence, which includes sexual assault.

Hot kitchens. Sharp Knives. Loud voices. Cuss words. Those are the hallmarks of the back of house in a restaurant. And while there has been a level of glorification to being able to survive being toughened up the kitchens, the lines have too often crossed into abuse. A major shortcuming in the hospitality industry is its inability to take care of victims of abuse, many who remain silent for fear of being blacklisted.

Such is the story of the world famous Three Michelin star restaurant Noma, and its chef René Redzepi. Already having come under fire in the past for its expoitative use of stages (unpaid work by interns), Redzepi remains in the limelight for the extreme verbal and physical abuse of his staff. Behind meticulous plates, terror reigned, leaving behind broken hospitality workers who could not speak out.

Is this behaviour normal? Or are these outlier tales that get highlighted in mainstream media? André and Miroki tear off the veneer with industry veteran Chef Deron Engbers, discuss his experiences coming up as a young chef, if he's noticed improvements, and whether it is possible for real change? How will this affect diners - and do diners care?

Further reading:

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/07/dining/rene-redzepi-noma-abuse-allegations.html

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-canadian-winemaker-norman-hardie-accused-of-sexual-misconduct/

You can follow Miroki on Instagram @9ouncesplease

You can follow André on Instagram @andrewinereview

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you think you shop and eat local?

What if we told you that to eat food sourced solely in Canada, that you would be giving up staples like olive oil, lemons, vanilla, and even black pepper?

That's exactly the mission that Chef Hunter Guindon of The Table Culinary Studio has undertaken. Nestled in rural PEI, his restaurant stimulates the senses with an intimate 7 course dinner featuring not only 100% Canadian ingredients, but also a 100% Canadian wine list. Open for only 5 months of the year, diners book months in advance for an opportunity to taste dishes that are never repeated.

Andre and Miroki peel back the layers behind Hunter's ethos, witness some questionable practices he experienced coming up as a chef, and what took him from Ontario to Prince Edward Island. Will he and Andre will engage in fisticuffs over PEI vs Prairies as the superior beef?

Book a limited spot at The Table Culinary Studio: thetablepei.ca

You can follow Miroki on Instagram @9ouncesplease

You can follow André on Instagram @andrewinereview

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As comedian Ronny Chieng says, "Gong Hay Fat Choy" isn't "Happy New Year"...it's "Hope you get rich!"

Whether it's Miroki's Cantonese Lunar New Year celebrations, Vietnamese Tết, or Korean Seollal, festivities are in full swing during this period. As a first generation Chinese-Canadian, it's wonderful that Baker Joe of Wai Tack Kee is keeping Miroki's shelves full of delicious traditional Cantonese snacks. His daughter Audrey Tam joins us on Tasting Together to speak about Joe's journey from Hong Kong to Canada, and how their family business brings prosperity into homes all across the GTA through nut filled dumpling pastries, pineapple cakes and lotus flower cookies.

André and friends join Miroki's celebrations at Jumbo Lobster in Markham, partaking in a banquet that included sweet, succulent king crab and a lobster tower stir fried with a salted egg yolk. Corkage at this famed seafood spot only starts at $15, but Andre did ogle at their insanely high end wine list presented on a deceptively humble laminated menu. The question to always ask is...order more dim sum or try their dry aged steaks?

It has been nearly 7 years since Miroki has enjoyed a family style New Year dinner. Towards the end of Lunar New Year, she will finally have the opportunity to enjoy whole steamed fish (symbolizing wealth), noodles (prosperity) and barbecue pork (riches and strength) through delicious homecooking. Will this finally inspire her to take to the kitchen and learn to cook up some dishes that connect with her roots?

Wai Tack Kee: https://www.waitackkee.com/

Jumbo Lobster: https://jumbolobster.ca/

You can follow Miroki on Instagram @9ouncesplease

You can follow André on Instagram @andrewinereview

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.