CREDIT: CHOPPED CANADA
Beating out three other contestants, Stephanie Brewster, a chef instructor at Fanshawe, reigned as Chopped Canada’s $10,000 winner.

The January 2 premiere episode of Chopped Canada, a nationwide culinary competition that airs on Food Network Canada, saw one of Fanshawe's very own Falcons take home the grand prize of $10,000.

Stephanie Brewster, a chef instructor at Fanshawe College for the past 11 years, overcame stiff competition, extreme time constraints and handling unique ingredients like bone marrow before claiming her title as Chopped Canada's winner.

What started as an idea to motivate her own culinary students quickly turned into a realization that she, herself, would be a perfect fit for the competition.

“I put a call-out to all my old grads to tell them about the casting call, and quite a few came back to me said, ‘Chef, why don't you apply? You would rock it, you should go for it,'” laughed Brewster. “At first I replied, ‘Why would I ever do something like that?' but then I got thinking about it and thought, ‘Well, what the heck?' I got an application form and applied!”

Brewster's initial plan to motivate her own students came full circle once she was accepted as a contestant onto the show, when her students became her primary motivators.

“All of my past students have been so supportive, and even students that I haven't spoken to in years have reached out to congratulate and support me,” said Brewster. “It's very humbling because usually it's me who's very proud of my students when they go out and do their thing, and to be put into a situation where they're proud of me? Well, yeah, it's very humbling.”

During the “Black Box” challenge in the show, where contestants are given a combination of unique ingredients to cook with, Brewster found herself with an appetizer consisting of potato, mac-and-cheese loaf, anchovy paste and... bone marrow. After that, it was a race against the clock.

“Basically, I knew I had to roast [the bone marrow] and I only had 20 minutes to do it, so I popped it in the oven and started processing the rest of my ingredients, but I didn't have a game plan at first ... it just all started clicking once I started putting my pieces together.”

Apart from the nerve-wracking factor of cooking on the go with uncommon ingredient combinations, Brewster also faced the intimidating thought of preparing an appetizer, entrée and dessert for some of the world's most renowned cooks, including accomplished Chef Michael Smith.

“With celebrity chefs, or anyone who's been in the business for a long time, you know their standards are high and so when you produce, it needs to be perfect, including your cooking methods and techniques,” said Brewster. “I work well under pressure and in conditions like those, so yes, it's nerve-wracking, but it's very humbling to cook for professionals like those.”

Brewster was also quick to realize that without the help and support of Fanshawe and its culinary program, her ranking on the show would've been much different.

“One of the judges on the show actually thought that because I've been an instructor for the past 11 years, that my practical experience would've been minimal,” said Brewster. “But, in this environment, at the College, we really strive to stay current in techniques, equipment and ingredients, because we know we have to train our students properly to go out into the culinary world as it is today. So because of the College, I've been able to work and practice with some of the best equipment and products, which I definitely feel gave me an advantage.”

As for the $10,000? Brewster is excited to use the money to visit her daughters while they study in Germany.

In the meantime, Brewster continues to motivate her students to strive to create their own successes and opportunities, just as she has. Her biggest tip, though? To not be afraid.

“You need to challenge yourself on a daily basis,” said Brewster. “If feel like you're limiting yourself because you have low expectations for yourself, then you'll never be able to achieve the things that you really want in life. So don't be afraid, and just go for it!”