An afternoon with Chuck Hughes and 19 excitable kids at The Stop’s after-school program
Chuck Hughes leads the cooking class at The Stop’s after-school program (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
Yesterday afternoon, Chuck Hughes took a break from promoting his new cookbook, Garde Manger, to join 19 eager kids in a cooking class at The Stop’ s after-school program at Wychwood Barns. Upon his arrival, three enthusiastic youngsters took Hughes on a tour of the Stop’s facilities at the barns (the organization was one of Canada’s first food banks and has since expanded into a community hub with a wide-reaching mandate that includes community gardens, food markets and advocacy). Some highlights of Hughes’s kid-led tour included handling compost and worms and ogling the now-in-their-prime seedlings that were about to be shipped out to west-end community gardens. We couldn’t resist tagging along.
Before leading the class at the after-school program (designed to get low-income youngsters engaged with food and cooking), Hughes strolled through the Stop’s international community garden. At the Filipino garden, we learned that the Chuck’s Day Off star had just returned from an Asian tour where he had snacked on such, ahem, delights as balut. We also learned that on his Eastern travels he got a new tattoo, a crowned durian. “When I learned that it was called the king of fruits, I had to get it,” explained Hughes.
Before getting down to the brass tacks of teaching the kids how to fillet a Lake Erie silver bass, Hughes started with a short lesson on kitchen safety. But while he talked about hygiene, the celeb chef was scolded by the fastidious after-school gang for opening a faucet with fishy hands. Echoes of “contamination!” filled the room. When all the veggies were prepped and the fish filleted, the kids went off to play (including a memorable game of jump rope ), with one exclaiming how awesome “Chuck Norris” was and that this was “the best day ever.”
137974 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-43-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-43.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-43.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-43/ chuck-hughes-stop-43 0 0
137973 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-42-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-42.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-42.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-42/ chuck-hughes-stop-42 0 0
137972 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-41-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-41.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-41.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-41/ chuck-hughes-stop-41 0 0
137971 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) A little hacky sack Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-40-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-40.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-40.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-40/ chuck-hughes-stop-40 0 0
A little hacky sack
137970 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-39-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-39.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-39.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-39/ chuck-hughes-stop-39 0 0
137989 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Some things, kids are just better at Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-38-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-38.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-38.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-38/ chuck-hughes-stop-38 0 0
Some things, kids are just better at
137987 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) The elegantly laid table Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-36-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-36.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-36.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-36/ chuck-hughes-stop-36 0 0
The elegantly laid table
137984 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Final plating demonstration Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-35-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-35.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-35.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-35/ chuck-hughes-stop-35 0 0
Final plating demonstration
137983 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-34-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-34.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-34.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-34/ chuck-hughes-stop-34 0 0
137981 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-32-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-32.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-32.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-32/ chuck-hughes-stop-32 0 0
137980 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-31-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-31.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-31.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-31/ chuck-hughes-stop-31 0 0
137979 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-30-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-30.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-30.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-30/ chuck-hughes-stop-30 0 0
137978 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-29-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-29.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-29.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-29/ chuck-hughes-stop-29 0 0
137977 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-28-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-28.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-28.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-28/ chuck-hughes-stop-28 0 0
137976 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-27-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-27.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-27.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-27/ chuck-hughes-stop-27 0 0
137969 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-26-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-26.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-26.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-26/ chuck-hughes-stop-26 0 0
137968 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-25-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-25.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-25.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-25/ chuck-hughes-stop-25 0 0
137967 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Who doesn’t love a good knife sharpening demonstration? Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-24-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-24.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-24.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-24/ chuck-hughes-stop-24 0 0
Who doesn’t love a good knife sharpening demonstration?
137966 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-23-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-23.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-23.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-23/ chuck-hughes-stop-23 0 0
137965 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-22-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-22.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-22.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-22/ chuck-hughes-stop-22 0 0
137964 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-21-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-21.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-21.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-21/ chuck-hughes-stop-21 0 0
137963 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-20-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-20.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-20.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-20/ chuck-hughes-stop-20 0 0
137962 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-19-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-19.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-19.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-19/ chuck-hughes-stop-19 0 0
137961 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-18-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-18.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-18.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-18/ chuck-hughes-stop-18 0 0
137960 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Junior prep cooks at work Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-17-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-17.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-17/ chuck-hughes-stop-17 0 0
Junior prep cooks at work
137958 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-15-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-15.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-15/ chuck-hughes-stop-15 0 0
137957 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) The bass says hi Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-14.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-14/ chuck-hughes-stop-14 0 0
The bass says hi
137956 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) A filleted Lake Eerie silver bass Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-13.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-13/ chuck-hughes-stop-13 0 0
A filleted Lake Eerie silver bass
137955 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Hughes shows the kids how to filet a Lake Eerie silver bass Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-12-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-12.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-12/ chuck-hughes-stop-12 0 0
Hughes shows the kids how to filet a Lake Eerie silver bass
138024 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-intro-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-intro.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-intro.jpg 656 437 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-intro/ chuck-hughes-stop-intro 0 0
137953 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Big apron on a little man Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-10.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-10/ chuck-hughes-stop-10 0 0
Big apron on a little man
137952 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-09-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-09.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-09.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-09/ chuck-hughes-stop-09 0 0
137951 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Compulsory shot of Hughes’ latest tattoo: a crowned durian. While he’s in town, he plans on getting a tattoo of a line from <em>Babbette’s Feast</em> Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-08-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-08.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-08.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-08/ chuck-hughes-stop-08 0 0
Compulsory shot of Hughes’ latest tattoo: a crowned durian. While he’s in town, he plans on getting a tattoo of a line from Babbette’s Feast
137950 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Excitement building for the cooking class Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-07-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-07.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-07.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-07/ chuck-hughes-stop-07 0 0
Excitement building for the cooking class
137949 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-06-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-06.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-06.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-06/ chuck-hughes-stop-06 0 0
137948 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-05-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-05.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-05.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-05/ chuck-hughes-stop-05 0 0
137947 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-04-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-04.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-04.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-04/ chuck-hughes-stop-04 0 0
137946 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) The kids led Hughes on a tour Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-03-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-03.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-03.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-03/ chuck-hughes-stop-03 0 0
The kids led Hughes on a tour
137945 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) The kids were a little nervous at first Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-02-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-02.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-02.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-02/ chuck-hughes-stop-02 0 0
The kids were a little nervous at first
137944 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Setting up for Hughes’ arrival Chuck Hughes at The Stop https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-01-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-01.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/chuck-hughes-stop-01.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chuck-hughes-the-stop/slide/chuck-hughes-stop-01/ chuck-hughes-stop-01 0 0
Setting up for Hughes’ arrival
OMG, how adorable. I love that they have this program!
Love Chuck Hughes and his bartender Brynley at Le Bremner!!!