One-on-One With Chef Miriam Streiman
Chef Miriam Streiman takes pride in not only on nourishing stomachs but also minds. She has been invested in the food community since the day she enrolled in the Culinary Management Program at George Brown College, and never left it!
After years working in food styling and recipe development for TV programs and various publications, Miriam opened Mad Maple in Creemore, Ontario, a boutique country inn and food studio that she describes as a “hub for food, arts and culture and a forum for collaboration.”
Get to know her better through this fast and fun interview:
DO YOU HAVE A LUCKY CHARM IN THE KITCHEN?
A cast iron pan from Canadian Tire!
What’s the last thing you burned?
Cookies… they were borderline, we still ate them.
YOUR FAVOURITE SPICE?
Cinnamon! I love the warmth, smell and sweetness in my baking.
WHAT MAKES YOU “KITCHEN ANGRY”?
Plastic wrap and bottled water.
LATEST FLAVOUR COMBINATION YOU DISCOVERED?
Malt barley flour and peanut butter.
WHAT’S YOUR MOST EXTRAVAGANT PURCHASE?
Very. Good. Chocolate.
FAVOURITE SONG IN THE KITCHEN?
Currently, anything Feist.
WHAT’S YOUR COMFORT FOOD?
Steamy pho or Neil’s fresh bread with butter and jam.
WHAT’S YOUR MOST ESSENTIAL TOOL?
Hands.
IF YOU COULD CHANGE ANYTHING IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Responsible sourcing, increased access to good food and an industry which celebrates a more inclusive diverse version of our history’s food heroes.
FAVOURITE SMELL IN THE KITCHEN?
Good coffee and baking.
WHAT’S YOUR BAD HABIT?
Eating ice cream from the container…
WHAT DO YOU ADMIRE IN OTHER CHEFS?
Generosity, a love of food and respect of tradition.
WHAT OR WHO IS YOUR GREATEST INSPIRATION?
My daughter.
THE DISH YOU ARE THE PROUDEST OF?
I can make a lasagna.
WHAT’S YOUR END OF THE WORLD MENU?
Neil’s Pizza, Lambrusco, Salad and Summer.
Your favorite advice or quote?
“There are two kinds of people, Miriam. Butter people and margarine people. We are butter people.”
– My Mother.
Want more?
Have a seat at Miriam’s table May 27 and 28 for the 1st Greasy Spoon Dinner in Toronto
in support of Sistering and A Better Life Foundation.
For more information, click here.
