The PEI International Shellfish Festival has welcomed many friends of the festival. You will have the chance to learn from celebrity chefs in person with daily culinary demonstrations on the Main Stage.
Chef Corbin Tomaszeski
Food is a part of every great thing that we do in life. Food is there for all the important events, and the memories we make around a shared table are the best memories of all.
Corbin Tomaszeski is a chef with a unique vision: to bring meaning back to the world of food. In every endeavor he has taken up, whether being executive chef of key Toronto restaurants, hotels or through his popular Food Network shows- The Incredible Food Race, Dinner Party Wars, Restaurant Makeover and Restaurant Takeover, Chef Corbin strives to keep the focus on food as a conveyance to shared joy, and away from fussy, rigorous rules.
“We’re so removed from where our food comes from and how to make it properly, because we’ve stopped making time to make food and spend that time with our families. Kids don’t learn how to cook anymore. I learned a lot on our farm as a child, and even though I’m raising 3 boys in the city, we cook. Teaching your kids to cook is an essential life skill, and the time you spend with them teaching them how to cook is never wasted.
Corbin’s first cookbook, “In Good Company” published by Figure1 is now available on Amazon. “In Good Company” teaches us EASY RECIPES FOR EVERYDAY GATHERINGS and reminds us all on what cooking is all about.
“No matter where you go, everyone celebrates with food, and no matter who is hosting you, they are proud to have you sit an enjoy life with them over their favorite dishes. The best part of my job is meeting amazing people and getting to know them over a home-cooked meal.”
In addition to his incredible achievements to date, Chef Corbin has launched a store front and catering company aptly named “Corbin Catering & Foods”. It is a boutique food company that specializes in providing incredible food experiences that include: full-service catering & event planning, an onsite food shop & market, a takeout food program for pick-up or delivery and a private dinner party or chef’s table gathering. No matter the food experience you decide, Chef Corbin and his team pride themselves on exceeding expectations with their delicious food, exemplary service and attention to detail
From intimate, private dinners to elaborate parties, our goal at Corbin Catering & Foods is to bring family and friends together. Host them in your beautiful home or garden, a chic venue in your neighbourhood or a vibrant downtown destination. We will create a one of a kind experiences with beautiful lasting memories.
Corbin is a Graduate of the Culinary Arts program at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology and volunteers for organizations such as Prostate Cancer Canada, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Emily’s House, Engage and Change and Canadian Cancer Society.
– Corbin lives in Toronto with his wife and three sons.
World Champ Oyster Shucker Patrick McMurray
Toronto born and bred, the son of two teachers, and antique dealers. Patrick McMurray has always been brought up around food, travel, and a strong work ethic. Patrick’s family travelled Europe and the UK every summer. Dining out to try new and wonderful tastes, and learned about from from other cultures. Patrick entered into the restaurant trade at the age of 16 and really hasn’t looked back, despite a degree in Physical and Health Education – Kinesiology UofT’92.
World Oyster Shucking Champion
After shucking, and honing his skills for a number of years in Toronto, Patrick won the World Championships of Oyster Opening – Galway, Ireland 2002, the only Canadian to win this most illustrious shucking contest, in over 60 years.
Patrick also holds three Guinness Book Records for shucking oysters, 39 in one minute, part of Team Canada – 8840 Oysters in one hour, and personally 1114 Oysters in one hour.
INVENTOR
SHUCKERPADDY OYSTER GEAR – 1997 – PRESENT
To win contests, you have to have proper equipment and technique. With the Kinesiology theories in mind, Patrick invented his World famous PistolGrip oyster knife, and shucking technique, that provides a faster, safer, and cleaner oysters. The pistol grip knife is now produced by Swissmar for worldwide distribution, along with the Shucking Tray System & All Canadian Shuckin’Puck.
AUTHOR
The Oyster Companion 2018 – Firefly Books.
Stories, instruction, and descriptions Patrick’s book works like a beginners guide to Oystering, and thus led to Patrick’s Consulting, teaching, instructing and promoting of Oysters, RawBar, and sustainable seafood around the world. The Art of Oystering is an Oyster 101 program that has been taught from Europe to Asia, and promotes for WWF Canada, and OceanWise. “Been there, Shucked that!”
OYSTER SOMMELIER 1992-present
With his vast knowledge of Oysters, Shucking ability, and teaching skills, Patrick ins known in the OysterWorld as an Oyster Sommelier, and lends his expertise to a large Seafood Wholesaler in Toronto – Seacore. Patrick is responsible for helping organize the Oyster and shellfish list, acquiring new and exciting Oysters, train the sales team, and assist restaurants and retail shops in menu design, and Shucker training.
RESTAURATEUR & PUBLICAN since 2001
Patrick has built, owned and managed two successful restaurants in Toronto. Starfish Oyster Bed & Grill 2001-2014 and The Ceili Cottage 2008-2018
Starfish specialized in Sustainable Seafood served in a casual bistro setting. Fresh fish, local vegetables, steak, lobster and of course, oysters. One of Toronto’s Top 10 Restaurants -early 2000’s
The Ceili Cottage is Patrick’s Irish “Local”, an East End local pub with great food, patio, and music, designed and built by Patrick in an “Auld Car Garage”.
SPEAKER, PRESENTER, SHUCKING CONTEST JUDGE & TV APPEARANCES
With his Shucking abilities and knowledge in the OysterWorld, Patrick has been known to present insightful and entertaining stage, and television performances. Speaker at the Global Aquaculture Alliance, Seafood Show North America, Scotland’s National Shucking Championship, Martha & Snoop Potluck Dinner, Gordon Ramsay’s The FWord Live, and more.
CULINARY EDUCATOR & COORDINATOR FOOD MEDIA & FOOD TOUISM – CENTENNIAL COLLEGE 2017-present
Instructor, Coordinator and Teacher of Food Theory, Sustainability, Entrepreneurship at the Centennial Collage School of Culinary, Hospitality & Tourism
SOCIAL MEDIA & MARKETING Manager- ATLANTIC AQUA FARMS – March 2021-present Patrick is working in Social Media Marketing – creative promotional plans, Social Media posts, and Oystery Events!