Chef Michael Smith
Chef Michael Smith, one of Canada’s best-known chefs, is a passionate advocate for simple, sustainable home cooking that inspires families to create their own healthy food lifestyle. An honors graduate of the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in New York, his career has spanned the globe from stints in a Michelin three-star restaurant in London to South America, the Caribbean, North America and some of Manhattan’s finest kitchens. He’s the winner of the James Beard Award for Cooking Show Excellence and host of Chef Abroad, Chef at Home and Chef at Large seen on Food Network Canada and in more than 100 other countries. His latest web series Chef Michael’s Kitchen, debuted September, 2012.
Michael is Prince Edward Island’s official food ambassador, an award winning cookbook author, newspaper columnist, professional chef and home cook. He recently led the team of chefs that cooked for the worlds Olympians in the Whistler Athletes Village. Although Michael is a true chef at large his favourite role is Dad, home on Prince Edward Island with his family.
Chef Michael Smith in his Kitchen
This kitchen has been a longtime-coming dream reno for Michael, who picked the vibrant marine blue to pay homage to the ocean surrounding P.E.I. This kitchen is also the set of Micahel's new web series, Chef Michael's Kitchen. Watch the series now! 
Chef Michael's Kitchen
The stools were custom made locally, using old tractor seats.
Chef Michael's Kitchen
All cabinetry was custom made by GCW Custom Kitchens in Ontario.
Chef Michael's Kitchen
Detail
The Mother of All Spice Racks
If you watch Michael's cooking shows, you know how much he loves a well-stocked spice rack...
Dishwashing Station
Even in a kitchen this size, space saving is a must! Suspended pots and a
wall-mounted rack for smaller tools and gadgets keeps everything at
hand.
Bulk Dry Ingredients Station + Knives
This custom unit is made of walnut and reclaimed barn board and comes complete with a two-element induction cooktop.
Bulk Ingredient Drawer
Lentils and grains are neatly organized in containers for quick and easy access when cooking.
Induction Cooktop
The latest in heat innovation.
Kitchen Detail
Ovens and more ovens!
Kitchen Detail
The wrought iron rendering above the sink represents the pastoral beauty of P.E.I., and is forged by local artist, William Dowling.
The Pantry
One of Michael's requirements for the new kitchen was that the pantry be big enough to allow him entrance without stooping.
Pantry Detail
The pantry is lined with wood from the crates of Michael's favourite wines.
Kitchen Wares
Mason jar mugs and ceramic dishes
Utensils
Diner-style cutlery in red and blue
Fire Pit and Pizza Oven
In the dining room, Michael created this rustic wood-burning cooking station complete with a pizza oven and fire pit.
Questions and Answers
Your fave kitchen utensil/gadget?
My stash of tasting spoons.
What would we typically find in your fridge?
Lots of obscure flavours from my travels, lots of vegetables, lots of bacon.
Your signature dish?
A thick local rib eye steak grilled over a hardwood fire in my fire pit.
What were your must-have kitchen layout requirements?
My cooktop in an island, a magnetic chalkboard and a great sink for dish-washing!
What was your biggest kitchen splurge?
All of my custom cabinetry from GCW Custom Kitchens.
Where did you get your love for cooking?
From my love of eating.
Your guilty food pleasure?
French fries
Food aversions?
Anything white and thick -- yogurt, sour cream, mayo, cream cheese, cream, Peruvian massada...
Fave cookbook authors?
I’m inspired by Michael Pollan but turn to The Joy of Cooking more than any other cookbook.
Complete this sentence: People would be surprised to find out...
That I am a passionate kite sailor.