Celebrity Judges

Meet Your Meat Category Judge — Ted Reader

When it comes to grilling meat, few names in Canada carry more authority than Chef Ted Reader — the “Godfather of the Grill.”

A graduate of George Brown College Chef School, Ted has built one of Canada’s most recognizable BBQ careers spanning restaurants, television, live-fire cooking events, and more than 20 award-winning cookbooks, including Gastro Grilling and the Napoleon Everyday Gourmet Grilling series.

Ted has served as Executive Chef at the Skydome Hotel (Rogers Centre) and worked as Executive Chef for President’s Choice, helping develop innovative food products for one of Canada’s biggest brands.

Today he continues to lead the BBQ scene as Executive Chef of Ted Reader The Joint BBQ at Eldorado Golf Club in Whitby, Ontario, serving bold live-fire barbecue, smoked meats, and wood-fired creations.

With decades of experience and a passion for pushing the limits of live-fire cooking, Chef Ted Reader will be judging the Meat Category for Canada’s BBQ Challenge 12.

Every steak, rib, brisket, and burger submitted will be evaluated by one of the most respected barbecue minds in the country.

The Godfather of the Grill is watching.

Meet Your Fish Category Judge — Irene Matys

For the Fish Category, we are proud to welcome Chef Irene Matys, one of Canada’s most respected voices in modern farm-to-table cooking.

Born in Cyprus and raised in Canada, Irene’s cooking reflects her Mediterranean roots, combining fresh seafood, seasonal ingredients, and simple, vibrant flavours inspired by coastal traditions.

She is the award-winning author of the internationally recognized cookbook My Cypriot Table, which received a Gourmand World Cookbook Award and has been praised by leading chefs across Canada.

Chef Irene Matys is also a well-known television food expert, sharing recipes and cooking segments on programs including The Marilyn Denis Show, Breakfast Television, The Social, and Your Morning.

Beyond television and publishing, Irene is passionate about supporting local agriculture and sustainable cooking, working closely with farmers and developing recipes that celebrate fresh, seasonal ingredients.

For Canada’s BBQ Challenge 12, Chef Irene Matys will be judging the Fish Category, where every grilled salmon, seafood creation, and coastal-inspired BBQ dish will be evaluated for creativity, technique, and presentation.

Your seafood cook will be judged by one of Canada’s most trusted culinary storytellers.

Meet Your Veggie Category Judges — Meredith Shaw & Rodney Bowers

For the Veggie Category, Canada’s BBQ Challenge welcomes a dynamic judging duo: Meredith Shaw and Chef Rodney Bowers.

Meredith Shaw is an award-winning broadcaster, television host, and media personality known for her work on Breakfast Television, The Social, Your Morning, ETalk, and The Marilyn Denis Show. 

She also co-hosted the CTV cooking series Double Your Dish, bringing her energy and lifestyle expertise to the world of food and entertaining.

Chef Rodney Bowers brings the culinary experience to the panel. A respected Toronto chef and restaurateur, he has worked in some of the city’s top kitchens including North 44, Canoe, the Four Seasons Hotel, and Mistura. He later opened several successful restaurants, including The Rosebud, The Citizen, and Hey Meatball!

Rodney is also a familiar face in Canadian food media, appearing on Breakfast Television, The Marilyn Denis Show, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, and CBC’s Fridge Wars, and currently serves as a Culinary Arts Professor and Food Media Program Coordinator at Centennial College.

For Canada’s BBQ Challenge 12, Meredith Shaw and Chef Rodney Bowers will be judging the Veggie Category, evaluating creativity, flavour, and presentation in every grilled vegetable dish.

From grilled peppers and zucchini to inventive plant-forward BBQ creations — this duo will be looking for bold ideas and delicious results.

Meet Your Pizza Category Judge — Matt Basile

For the Pizza Category, Canada’s BBQ Challenge welcomes Chef Matt Basile, a chef known for bold flavours, creativity, and fire-driven cooking.

Matt Basile is a celebrity chef, restaurateur, cookbook author, and television personality who first gained national attention after launching Fidel Gastro’s, one of Canada’s most recognizable food truck and sandwich brands.

He is also the author of the cookbook “Brunch Life: Comfort Classics and More for the Best Meal of the Day,” showcasing his signature style of big flavours and creative twists on comfort food.

Chef Matt Basile has appeared on several major television programs including Top Chef Canada, Eat St. (Food Network), Restaurant Makeover, Breakfast Television, and The Marilyn Denis Show, and later hosted the international food series Rebel Without a Kitchen.

Matt is also the founder of Alchemy Grills, a premium live-fire grill brand designed for serious outdoor cooking enthusiasts.

For Canada’s BBQ Challenge 12, Chef Matt Basile will be judging the Pizza Category, where every grilled pizza creation will be evaluated for heat, technique, creativity, and flavour balance.

Bold pizza. Big fire. Creative grilling.

Meet Your Dessert Category Judge — Ed “The Baker” Bozzo

For the Dessert Category, Canada’s BBQ Challenge welcomes Ed “The Baker” Bozzo, a master baker behind one of Toronto’s most beloved pastry destinations.

Ed Bozzo is the co-owner and head baker of SanRemo Bakery & Café, the iconic Etobicoke bakery established in 1969 and famous for its award-winning donuts, Italian pastries, custom cakes, and handcrafted desserts.

Under Ed’s leadership, SanRemo has become a must-visit destination for dessert lovers across the GTA, producing thousands of fresh pastries daily and earning a reputation as one of Toronto’s best bakeries.

Known throughout the city as “Ed the Baker,” he has built a loyal following for his passion, creativity, and dedication to high-quality ingredients and traditional baking techniques.

For Canada’s BBQ Challenge 12, Ed “The Baker” Bozzo will be judging the Dessert Category, evaluating creativity, flavour, and presentation in every sweet BBQ creation.

From grilled pineapple to dessert pizzas and fire-kissed sweets — Ed will be looking for desserts that truly impress.

Canada’s BBQ Challenge isn’t judged on food alone.

Our celebrity judges are looking for backyard grillers who can combine great BBQ, creativity, and personality.

When you submit your entry, make sure your post clearly shows the following:

🔥 Plate Presentation
Your finished dish should look appetizing, clean, and well plated. Judges want to see BBQ that makes them wish they could grab a fork immediately.

🔥 Visual Quality (Photo & Video)
Make sure your images and video clearly show your BBQ cook. Good lighting, clear angles, and a clean presentation help judges see the details of your dish.

🔥 Creativity
Show us something unique. Whether it's a new twist on a classic BBQ dish or an unexpected ingredient, creativity always stands out.

🔥 Overall Execution
Judges look at the full cook: technique, doneness, grill marks, balance of ingredients, and how well the dish fits the category.

🔥 On-Camera Personality
Bring the energy in your video. Judges love seeing competitors who are passionate about their BBQ and excited to share their cook.

To make sure your entry is counted, please follow these posting guidelines:

• Post your entry on Instagram
• Use the hashtag #BBQChallenge12
• Include at least ONE photo and ONE video in your post
• Show your grill, cooking process, and final plated dish
• Enter the correct category (Meat, Fish, Veggie, Pizza, and/or Dessert)
• Make sure your account is public so judges can view your entry