Roger Mooking facts for kids
Mooking speaks at a demonstration at the CNE.
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| Born | Trinidad and Tobago |
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| Cooking style | Global and BBQ |
| Education | George Brown Culinary Management Program |
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Current restaurant(s)
Twist by Roger Mooking, Previously executive chef at Kultura Social Dining and Nyood Restaurant
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Television show(s)
Everyday Exotic, Heat Seekers, Man Fire Food, Chopped: Canada
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Roger Mooking is a talented chef, musician, and TV host from Canada. He was born in Trinidad and Tobago. You might know him as the host of popular TV shows like Man Fire Food and Everyday Exotic. These shows are on the Cooking Channel and Food Network Canada. He also appeared on Heat Seekers with Aarón Sanchez. Roger Mooking has been a guest on many other famous shows too, such as Today and Chopped Canada.
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Early Life and Family
Roger Mooking was born in Trinidad and Tobago. His family was involved in the food and drink business. When he was five, he moved to Canada. He grew up in Edmonton, Alberta, where his parents ran a restaurant. Roger has both Caribbean and Chinese family roots. His mother taught him about European cooking. She learned recipes from their Ukrainian neighbours.
Roger's Career Journey
Roger Mooking has had an exciting career in both music and cooking.
Music Career Highlights
In the early 1990s, Roger was known as MC Mystic. He was part of a hip hop band called The Maximum Definitive. In 1993, their song "Jungle Man" was nominated for a Juno Award. The band later moved to Toronto.
After that, Roger joined a soul and R&B group called Bass Is Base. The band had three members:
- Chin Injeti played bass.
- Ivana Santilli played keyboards.
- MC Mystic (Roger Mooking) played percussion and rapped.
Their first album, First Impressions for the Bottom Jigglers, won a Juno Award in 1995. A year later, their song “I Cry” became a Top 20 hit. Since then, Roger has released two solo albums: Soul Food in 2008 and Feedback in 2013.
Becoming a Chef
Roger Mooking studied cooking at George Brown College. He even helps lead the professional advisory committee there. He worked at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto. Later, he owned and advised many food businesses in Ontario.
He was the head chef and co-owner of Kultura Social Dining and Nyood Restaurant. Today, he is the executive chef at Twist by Roger Mooking. This restaurant is located at Toronto Pearson International Airport.
Television Shows
Roger Mooking hosts several TV shows. On Everyday Exotic, he teaches viewers how to use spices and flavors from around the world. He shows how to add them to everyday meals.
On Man Fire Food, Roger travels across the U.S. He explores different ways to cook with fire and smoke. This includes everything from small campfires to amazing custom-made grills. This show has been on for many seasons!
Roger was also a judge on Food Network's Chopped Canada. He also judged two episodes of Guy's Grocery Games. The Cooking Channel even made an hour-long show about him called Chefography.
He has appeared on many other TV shows, including:
- The Today Show
- Good Morning America
- Iron Chef America
- Top Chef Canada
In 2021, Roger was part of Canada Reads. He supported the novel Butter Honey Pig Bread by Francesca Ekwuyasi.
Author and Cookbooks
Roger Mooking wrote a cookbook called "Everyday Exotic: The Cookbook". It was published in 2011. This book won a Gourmand World Cookbook award. It teaches you how to use unique ingredients in regular dishes. This lets you explore flavors from Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the Caribbean.
Filmography
| Television Appearances | |||
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| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2008–2009 | Everyday Exotic | Himself/host | |
| 2012–present | Man Fire Food | Himself/host | |
| 2014–2017 | Chopped Canada | Himself | Recurring judge |
| 2015 | Chopped | Himself | Judge and Contestant |
| 2016 | Guy's Grocery Games | Himself | Judge |
Helping Others: Charitable Work
Roger Mooking cares about helping people. In 2011, he worked with World Vision Canada. He traveled to Cambodia to learn about child nutrition. He wanted to raise awareness about healthy food and clean water for families everywhere.
In 2012, Roger visited Bangladesh with Save the Children. He saw their nutrition programs and met with local groups. He explored ways to create lasting health programs. He continues to work with Save The Children. He has also traveled to Peru with them.
Roger also supports Second Harvest. This charity provides rescued food to families who need it. He helps host their yearly charity event, Toronto Taste.
Personal Life
Roger Mooking is married and has four daughters. He has said that he "never [cooks] the same thing twice."
