It’s a recipe for romance and a homecoming celebration all on one plate. Top Chef Canada stars and real-life couple Erica and Josh Karbelnik will headline a special Chef Signature Series dinner at the College’s Benchmark restaurant on Feb. 12 – just before Valentine’s Day.
The culinary power couple – who graduated from NC 15 years ago and have recently decided to make Niagara home – look forward to returning to their alma mater to whisk up a night to remember. The ticketed event offers guests a rare opportunity to savour the success of the duo, who are bringing a taste of their culinary journeys back to where it all began.
Erica and Josh, who both graduated from NC’s College’s Culinary Management (Co-op) program in 2011, have found the ingredients for success since their time at NC – both in life and in the kitchen.
“We are so proud to welcome back Erica and Josh who have had such an exciting and eventful career so far,” said Craig Youdale, Dean, Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies. “It is important for our students to look up to chefs that started just the same as them and have reached such impressive heights.”
The husband-and-wife team made headlines in June 2021 when they turned up the heat on the national stage. Erica claimed the title of Top Chef Canada winner (Season 9), while Josh finished as a finalist, serving as Erica’s sous chef in the finale to help her secure the win. From national television to prominent kitchens across the country, they have truly cooked their way to the top, currently presiding over their own premier fine dining and events venture, Karbs Catering.
The Karbelniks said they were eager to bring their bold flavours back to the College.
“We are both extremely excited to be returning back to NC,” said Erica. “This is a huge milestone for us in our career and shows how far we have come from being students to chefs.”
While they have visited campus occasionally, this dinner marks their first official return to the kitchens and labs where they first sharpened their knives. It also marks a personal homecoming, as the Karbelniks recently relocated from Toronto to settle into their new home in St. Catharines.
Reflecting on her journey, Erica noted that NC was the essential starter course to her career.
“NC was truly the stepping stone; it was the start of our journey, the introduction to who we would become,” she said. “I remember being treated not just as another student or a number, but as someone of importance. The true love I felt and the passion behind what they do – you don’t get that very often in school.”
The Feb. 12 dinner will feature a menu curated by the couple, allowing current students to prep and plate alongside them in the Benchmark kitchen. While on campus, the couple also plans to visit various culinary classes to share their words of wisdom.
For Josh, passing the torch to current culinary students is the ultimate garnish on their success story.
“We wouldn’t have gotten to where we are today if it wasn’t for people who did that for us… who were our mentors,” he said. “It’s a true honour to now be in that role and help shape the next generation.”
A Chef Signature Series – A Chef’s Journey with Erica and Josh Karbelnik will be held on the evening of Thursday, Feb. 12 (dinner begins at 6 p.m.) at Benchmark Restaurant (Daniel J. Patterson Campus, Niagara-on-the-Lake). Limited tickets are available while supplies last ($180.80, including tax) via Eventbrite here.
Sold-out evening with Chef Marc Lepine
The Karbelnik dinner follows NC’s first Chef Signature Series event of the year with award-winning Ottawa-based Chef Marc Lepine on Jan. 26,
The owner of the legendary Atelier restaurant and a two-time Canadian Culinary Champion, Lepine will bring his avant-garde culinary artistry to Benchmark for a sold-out dinner event.
Lepine noted it will be his first visit to the College and he was looking forward to the event, as well as connecting with current students.
“It’s always energizing to connect with culinary students, and I’m excited to bring a bit of what we do at Atelier to Niagara College, even just for one night,” said Lepine. “Opportunities like this can spark curiosity and confidence, and if I can play a small role in that, I’m happy to.”
Youdale looked forward to welcoming Lepine to campus where he will bring his culinary talents to Niagara and surely inspire current students.
“Chef events like these are a such great opportunities to have our students engage in a real-world experience with some of Canada’s best chefs,” said Youdale.
Lepine has simple advice to students hoping to follow in his footsteps: “Stay curious, stay disciplined, and don’t be afraid to follow ideas that feel a little unconventional.”
Chef’s Journey events are held at Benchmark restaurant, located at NC’s Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The events are supported by students and staff from the College’s Benchmark team led by Victor Oliveira and Chef Justin Downes.
