Canadian hip-hop star Maestro 'Chef' Wes dons apron in TV cooking series
Maestro Fresh Wes is fresh off his historic Canadian Music Hall of Fame induction at the 2024 Juno Awards in Halifax, and he’s also been busy cooking up his latest project.
“My wheels are always turning about something next,” he told CTV’s Katie Kelly during a recent interview.
Wes may be hailed the “Godfather of Hip Hop” in Canada, but he is also an author, motivational speaker, actor and TV host.
“They said back in the day that we as emcees have 15 minutes of fame. It took me longer than 15 minutes to write my first 16-bars of Let Your Backbone Slide,” he says.
“So my whole thing is you’ve got to get used to the face. I’m going to try to expand, do different things, but whatever I do hip hop is the foundation out of that.”
His latest venture is a cooking series, and its second season was released early last month.
“I’m the Maestro Chef Wes and I don’t make burgers – I make backbone sliders,” he joked.
“I’m not The Galloping Gourmet or Chef Boyardee by any means; I’m more like the voice of the viewer. I’m like the person coming in with a celebrity chef who we learn something (from), have a conversation, and catch a vibe through a meal.”
The “Maestro Chef Wes” series is made entirely in the Maritimes, where Wes now calls home, and features plenty of local and national talent.
“One of the episodes was called ‘Cooking with Class’ and Classified was host, and season two, one of the episodes was called ‘Cookin’ with Kardi’ and (Kardinal Offishall) is the host – like how cool is that?”
Wes says he hopes the show will influence up-and-coming artists to also expand their craft.
“Who told you you gotta stick within the parameters of just being an emcee? From what we learn from this we can expand and produce our own projects and take it to the next level and do different things.”
Seasons 1 and 2 of “Maestro Chef Wes” are available now on Fibe TV1.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
RCMP not investigating possible foreign interference cases related to Chiu, Dong: Duheme
Canada's federal police force is not investigating any possible instances of foreign interference in the cases of former Conservative MP Kenny Chiu and Liberal-turned-Independent MP Han Dong, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.