Roger Mooking; Yes! Let us Pause for Applause…

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

I am excited to be starting off 2025 celebrating a culinary titan, a global ambassador of flavour, and a true inspiration. We celebrate a man whose passion for food has ignited the world, a man whose spirit is as fiery as the culinary implements he masters.

Roger Mooking. The name alone evokes images of sizzling steaks, crackling flames, and the tantalizing aromas that have captivated audiences worldwide. Best known as the host of the internationally celebrated grilling and barbecue show “Man Fire Food” on Warner/Discovery Networks, Roger has taken us on a thrilling culinary journey, showcasing the dynamic range of live fire cooking.

Roger’s talents extend far beyond the grill. He’s a true renaissance man of the culinary world. He is the host of “Greatest of America” on Travel Channel, the host and co-creator of the internationally broadcast television series “Everyday Exotic,” and co-host of “Heat Seekers” on Food Network alongside the esteemed Chef Aarón Sanchez.

If that wasn’t enough, Roger hosts “Man’s Greatest Food,” where he embarks on a culinary odyssey across the USA, seeking out the ultimate gastronomic delights.

Roger’s accolades are a testament to his extraordinary talent and unwavering dedication. He’s the recipient of the prestigious “Premier’s Award,” a Gourmand World Cookbook Award, a Socan Classics Award, a Juno Award, an Ontario Heritage Award for his work in the City of Toronto’s Awakenings projects, and countless “Best Of” culinary mentions.

His global impact is undeniable. Roger has graced television screens across: Southeast Asia, India, North America, Europe, Australia, the Caribbean, and Latin America. He’s captivated audiences on: The Today Show, Good Morning America, Wall of Chefs, Fire Masters, Top Chef Canada, Iron Chef, Guy’s Grocery Games, Supermarket Stakeout, and Chopped, not only as a guest judge, but also as the triumphant winner of the All-Star Chopped celebrity chef episode.

I have the distinct honour of introducing the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper’s first Classic Man of 2025, the one and only, Chef Roger Mooking!

Yes! Let us pause for applause…

I had a chance to link up with Roger at his restaurant “Twist” (we will talk about this in a minute), and during our time together, he not only fed me, but took me on his creative journey.

“I was five years old when I came to Canada. My dad had decided and had foresight to see that Trinidad was going to turn into a corrupt cesspool, and we were part of the Trudeau (Sr) era.”

“I was born and raised in Port of Spain Trinidad and Tobago,” Roger begins. “I was five years old when I came to Canada. My dad had decided and had foresight to see that Trinidad was going to turn into a corrupt cesspool, (surprise, surprise) and we were part of the Trudeau (Sr) era.”

His family lived in Edmonton until Roger was 19 years old. At that time, he had a rap group in Edmonton, and wouldn’t you know it; they were nominated for a Juno and asked to perform on Rap City. This is the trip that brought him to Toronto for two weeks. At the end of his two weeks, he said to himself, “Why am I going back to Edmonton?”

“I stayed with my aunt for two weeks and told my mom that I was not coming back. My entire life I have had zero strategy. I do things that are probably not in my best interest, but it’s the vibes that I roll with.”

“I carry the lineage of my ancestors. Claire Prieto is the mother of the film industry, and she also happens to be my aunt. My uncle is a famous photographer in Trinidad. My grandmother was one of the most incredible seamstresses; she could make a pattern from a newsprint. My sister is a painter and does commissions for the guy who owns Lululemon.”

Not only has this Juno award-winning artist been busy in the kitchen, but he has also continued his decades-long career and love of music and producing. His latest album SoundBites, his 6^th solo studio album, was released in 2023 and has enjoyed great success with extensions including: a book titled “Curious Sounds,” an art gallery exhibit and retreats for emerging artist

Over the past few years, Roger has made his mark in the world of interactive art, cultivating a number of immersive experiences that merge visual, sonic, and the culinary arts. Amongst those has been his interactive and immersive exhibit called SoundBites at The Art Gallery of Hamilton which is a “Celebration of chaos for an attention deficit world.”

He was also a key figure in The City of Toronto’s Awakenings (winner of the prestigious 2022 Award of Excellence from the American Association for State and Local History), a series of art projects created within the Toronto History Museum by Black and Indigenous artists, operating under the principles of anti-oppression, anti-colonialism, and anti-racism. In association with Awakenings and the City of Toronto, Roger has been the lead artist and / or collaborator for the exhibitions, “The Burn, Read (In),” and “Dis/Mantle.”

Throughout the years Chef Mooking has opened and consulted on many food and beverage operations including Twist by Roger Mooking, located at award-winning Toronto Pearson International Airport.

The Trinidadian-born, Canadian-raised chef is influenced by his culturally rich family background, his love of people and travel, and interest in global flavours to create new culinary experiences. During my time with Roger at Twist, I asked him about specific memories with his family growing up in Trinidad, and how it shaped his creative philosophy.

“My grandmother taught me a lot, my dad collected a lot of records, and my mom was an artist in her own right. I was just immersed. I knew this as a way of being. I started writing raps; I would be up at 4:00 am in the morning rhyming. I would rent studio equipment for a month, and create a basement studio, and it took off from there.”

While Roger’s earliest influences are his family’s Chinese and Caribbean specialties, Roger has also trained under Japanese, Chinese, French and Swiss German chefs.

“There are no hard fast rules, and mastery is found in different parts of the world,” Roger tells me. “I grew up seeing Chinese master chefs, so I knew that mastery didn’t just come from the European part of the world. You have to be mindful though; you can’t make a dish that is too confusing. The trick is being able to interject and implement and tell the culinary stories in one package.”

“How do you balance your demanding career with your role as a husband and father of four,” I queried. “It sure does seem like you are doing the most.”

“I don’t believe in this concept of work, life balance. Why do we bifurcate our lives? Why do we bifurcate a singular thing? I only do what I want to do most of the time. I code myself to like most of my life as much as possible. Sometimes, I cook, sometimes I put together an exhibit.”

Chef Roger Mooking, a true global citizen, a culinary visionary, and an inspiration to us all.  We celebrate your extraordinary achievements, your unwavering passion, and your unwavering commitment to sharing the magic of food with the world.