Twitter detractors say the social platform is just a way for people to tell the world what they ate for breakfast, but that's not a bad thing if you're following these 20 amazingly connected Canadian chefs. Whether they're television stars or working the kitchens of the country's best restaurants, these culinary masters are sharing their foodie adventures online, often complete with photos that will make you salivate.
Many of these chefs own their own restaurants, so following their accounts means that you're likely to get a sneak peek of what will be on their menus in a few hours. You might also catch previews of what's coming up on their cooking shows or the recipes they're developing for their cookbooks. And many of them link up their Instagram accounts to their stream, which just adds to the fun.
As a bonus, their curiosity about food often leads to travel, if these Twitter feeds are to be believed. You'll get a taste of what these chefs are trying at restaurants and market stalls around the world.
Did we miss any of your favourite chefs on Twitter? Share them with us in the comments. Full text of the slideshow follows:
Chuck Hughes
WHO: Montrealer Chuck Hughes is the host of Chuck's Day Off on the Food Network and proprietor of Garde Manger and LeBremner restaurants.
TWEETS ABOUT: Lots of food pics, thanks to his active Instagram account.
FOLLOW: @chucksdayoff
Douglas McNish:
WHO:Douglas McNish is a vegan chef living in Toronto who helps restaurants develop plant-based menu options. He is the author of the cookbook Eat Raw, Eat Well.
TWEETS ABOUT: His weekly menus at the Evergreen Brick Works farmers market, favourite vegan products, and his various food projects and classes.
FOLLOW: @DougMcNish
Jamie Kennedy
WHO: A pioneer of the local food movement in Canada, Jamie Kennedy runs a restaurant, Gilead, and a cafe and catering business out of the Gardiner Museum in Toronto.
TWEETS ABOUT: The daily offerings at Gilead, as well as food articles and events he finds interesting.
FOLLOW: @ChefJKennedy
Jennifer McLagan
WHO: Jennifer McLagan is the author of a trio of meat-centric cookbooks: Bones, Fat, and Odd Bits.
TWEETS ABOUT: Food articles she enjoys, back-and-forths with other foodies like @naomiduguid, and pics of favourite meals.
FOLLOW:@JenniferMcLagan
Mark McEwan
WHO: Mark McEwan is most recognizable as the head judge on Top Chef Canada on the Food Network, but he's also the chef and owner of several popular Toronto restaurants, including North 44 and Bymark, and the McEwan gourmet grocery store.
TWEETS ABOUT: McEwan comments on Top Chef drama, and replies to customers of his various restaurants — he wants to know what you ate!
FOLLOW:@Chef_MarkMcEwan
Joshna Maharaj
WHO: Joshna Maharaj is a Toronto chef, writer and good-food activist. Her causes include working with Slow Food Toronto and advocating for better-quality and healthier hospital food.
TWEETS ABOUT: Everything from what she's making for dinner at home to public policy on food.
FOLLOW:@joshnamaharaj
Sarah Kramer
WHO: Sarah Kramer is a veritable vegan superstar—she was named the World's Coolest Vegan by Herbivore Magazine. The Victoria resident has authored several popular cookbooks and shows off her vegan cooking skills on TV and at food festivals.
TWEETS ABOUT:Her vegan store, Sarah's Place, her dog Fergus, and her recent breast cancer diagnosis.
FOLLOW:@GoVeganDotNet
Susur Lee
WHO: Renowned Toronto-based chef Susur Lee has two restaurants in the city and one in Singapore, and still manages to jet around the world, if his Twitter stream is any indication.
TWEETS ABOUT: Lee tweets about his restaurants, but the food photos from his travels are the real draw here.
FOLLOW:@susurlee
David McMillan
WHO: David McMillan is the outspoken co-owner of a couple of Montreal's hottest restaurants — Joe Beef and Liverpool House, alongside partner @fredmadeit. His large following includes fan @davidchang.
TWEETS ABOUT: Quirky food adventures and the latest happenings at his restaurants and new bar, Le Vin Papillon.
FOLLOW: @joebeef
Martin Picard
WHO: Chef Martin Picard, know for his wild Quebec cuisine and personality, is also an author and TV host but he's most famous for his little empire of Au Pied de Cochon restaurants. He's impressive enough to be followed on Twitter by culinary superstars like Daniel Boulud and Anthony Bourdain.
TWEETS ABOUT: Chummy words for fellow chefs and foodies, restaurant news and local musings. Tweets are from Picard and "la clique du PDC."
FOLLOW:@CabanePDC
Lynn Crawford
WHO: Lynne Crawford is the host of "Pitchin' In" on the Food Network and Cooking Channel, and she keeps busy with her two Toronto spots — Ruby Watchoo and Ruby Eats — when she's not touring the country learning about local fare.
TWEETS ABOUT: Previews of what's on the menu at Ruby Watchoo and her work with Community Food Centres Canada.
FOLLOW:@CHEF_LYNN
David Rocco
WHO: The host of David Rocco's Dolce Vita and Avventura and cookbook author punctuates his tweets with smatterings of Italian to match his signature cooking style.
TWEETS ABOUT: Lots of photos of what he's eating lately, which all looks amazing.
FOLLOW:@DavidRoccosVita
Geoffrey Hopgood
WHO: Originally from Canada's east coast, Geoffrey Hopgood is the owner and chef at Hopgood's Foodliner, which serves refined versions of Nova Scotian favourites in Toronto's Roncesvalles neighbourhood.
TWEETS ABOUT: The latest offerings at his restaurant—like boasting the first ramps of the season—and disappointment that Guy Fieri didn't stop in for a donair when in the city recently.
FOLLOW:@chefhopgood
Bonnie Stern
WHO: Bonnie Stern is the food columnist for the National Post and the author of several cookbooks, including Friday Night Dinners and Bonnie's Favourites.
TWEETS ABOUT: Her Post columns, food events around Toronto, and what's going on at restaurants in the city.
FOLLOW:@BonnieStern
Roger Mooking
WHO: You may remember Roger Mooking as a member of '90s Canadian soul band Bass is Base, but he's also a restaurateur who's hosted several cooking shows and released a cookbook, Everyday Exotic.
TWEETS ABOUT: Both his culinary and musical adventures—he has a new album coming out in June.
FOLLOW:@rogermooking
Paul Rogalski
WHO: Paul Rogalski, a proud Calgarian, is the owner and "chief culinary officer" of Rouge Restaurant, where he promotes ingredients produced locally.
TWEETS ABOUT: What's up at Rouge and the new Bistro Rouge, and non-food tidbits and photos from his travel—most recently he visited the Grand Canyon.
FOLLOW:@ChefRogalski
Michael Smith
WHO: Among his other accomplishments, like a Food Network show and cookbooks, Michael Smith is the official food ambassador for Prince Edward Island, where he lives.
TWEETS ABOUT: Lots of food photos, news and daily recipe suggestions. His kids sure eat well!
FOLLOW:@ChefMichaelSmth
Craig Flinn
WHO: The chef/owner of Chives in Halifax and author of several cookbooks started his career apprenticing with another chef on this list, Michael Smith.
TWEETS ABOUT: Shares his plans for the menu at Chives but also promotes other Halifax eateries as a customer.
FOLLOW:@chefcraigflinn
Geoff Rogers
WHO: This Calgary chef is a contestant on Top Chef Season 3 and involved with Medium Rare Chef, a line of stylish apparel for chefs.
TWEETS ABOUT: Cooking, travel adventures, and the Calgary Flames.
FOLLOW:@Chef_Rogers
Carl Heinrich
WHO: Carl Heinrich owns and cooks at Richmond Station in Toronto, but is likely best known as the winner of the second season of Top Chef Canada.
TWEETS ABOUT: The current season of Top Chef, the food he's working on at his restaurant, and props for other Toronto eateries.
FOLLOW:@ChefHeinrich