Toronto’s very own Gavan Knox is adding Canadian television star to his resume this March. The award-winning baker, writer and food collaborator will be appearing as a contestant on theFood Network’s new show, Great Chocolate Showdown, to flex his creativity in the kitchen for the chance at $50,000.
Selected from thousands across Canada and the US, Gavan will be one of 10 home bakers to go head-to-head in the indulgent world of chocolate in a range of creative and exciting chocolate-based challenges. As a parent, member of the LGBTQ2S+ community and the only contender representing all of Eastern Canada, Knox serves as an inspiration for tons of chocolate aficionados and aspiring bakers tuning in. The gravity of this is not lost on him.
“I absolutely intend to bring my A game.”
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No stranger to the industry, Knox has worked with the likes of confectionery company Hope & Greenwood, Station Cold Brew Coffee Co. and Red Tape Brewery delivering tailor-made recipes. He was also previously featured on Global TV news and in The Guardian’s travel section.
In the UK, his home until 5 years ago, Knox guest appeared on daytime show Mel & Sue (hosted by the original presenters of The Great British Bake Off), baking one of his signature “unexpected” flavour combinations: limoncello frosted blueberry, black garlic, and coriander seed cupcakes.
Although Knox always loved experimenting in the kitchen, his love of baking and confectionary really blossomed after 2014, when he decided to leave his successful job as an architect to raise his children.
“It was through this that I started baking for bake sales at my children’s school. I’ve always had a passion and love for cooking and baking. Some of my earliest memories are of tinkering around in the kitchen under the watchful eye of my mom,” remarks Knox.
His unique creations that combine unlikely ingredients garnered tons of compliments and special requests over the years, prompting him to start his own baking business back in London. On this side of the pond Knox is back to at-home baking and is extremely active on Instagram (@crumbsinmybeardyyz) sharing all of his delicious creations online with stunning, magazine-worthy photography.
As for having an edge against his Food Network competition? Knox believes his former career as an architect will help set him apart.
“My technical background allows me to examine a recipe, deconstruct it and think about what ingredients or methods could be substituted to add extra layers of interest,” he says.
Beyond that, he hopes to serve as inspiration for those who are a little different.
“Like pretty much everything about me – even down to the way I look, I don’t think I follow the idea of what people typically think a baker should be. I aim to use that to my advantage.”
Be sure to check Gavan Knox out on Chocolate Showdown on March 1 at 9:00p.m. ET/PT on Food Network CanadaFood Network Canada.