Celebrity Chef Stefano Faita returns to John Caboto Academy

As part of Nutrition Month at the English Montreal School Board, as well as a program aimed at having prominent alumni return to their former schools, John Caboto Academy in Ahuntsic welcomed back celebrity chef Stefano Faita on March 28. He also attended Vincent Massey Collegiate in Rosemount.

Mr. Faita was given a warm welcome by Principal Patrizia Tummillo, her staff and most of all an excited group of students, some of whom brought copies of his cookbooks and pasta bottles to sign.

Mr. Faita said he always loved to cook, even as a young child. Today he makes sure to find time on weekends to cook with his three young children.

After learning to cook as a young boy alongside his mother and grandmothers, it's no wonder Mr. Faita sought out a career behind the stove. His journey took him to roles as a culinary columnist and host of many TV shows in Quebec and Canada, including CBC's In the Kitchen with Stefano Faita. He has published four gourmet books, including In the Kitchen and opened four restaurants in Montreal in partnership with his partner Chef Michele Forgione, which have gone on to become must-stop destinations within the culinary scene. With the line of products for home cooks, he set out to develop a line of Italian favorites made with simple, high-quality ingredients and no preservatives allowing Canadians to proudly serve authentic, uncompromising Italian meals at home.

“None of this happened overnight,” he told the students. “I actually started out as a graphic artist. One day my mother had me take her place on a cooking television show. It was a success and my entire life changed. I was at the right place at the right time.”

Mr. Faita’s pastas, sauce, pizzas, meatballs and sausages, wines, soups, oils and vinegars, spreads, panettones and other products are available at grocery stores across Canada.

During the visit Mr. Faita showed teacher Miss Martine, Assistant Director General Pela Nickoletopoulos and Dietician Giuliana Di Quinzio how to properly chop vegetables. He intends to return to the school later this year to make pizza with the students.

For more information please visit: www.stefanofaita.com

About the English Montreal School Board

With a youth and adult sector population of more than 35,000 students, the English Montreal School Board (EMSB) is the largest English public school board in Quebec. Established on July 1, 1998, when the province created new boards along linguistic lines, the EMSB network consists of 73 schools and centres. For more details, visit the EMSB website at www.emsb.qc.ca.