Farm to Fork

City: Kitchener

Producer: Julian Wierzbicki

Genre: Food

Host: Nick Benninger

Farm to Fork is a lifestyle cooking show that follows Chef Nick Benninger as he visits farm to gate vendors throughout the Waterloo region. In each episode, Nick explores the farmers’ background and history and gives viewers a look into their daily lives. Towards the end of each show, Nick stokes up a blazing fire and treats the vendors to a culinary extravaganza, using their products, cooked in ways they haven’t experienced before.

To watch Farm to Fork:

If you are already a Bell Fibe TV customer, go to channel 1, or watch it on demand with the Bell Fibe TV App.

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Episodes

Season 1

Episode 1 - Mountainoak Cheese

Chef Nick visits Adam and Hannie van Bergeijk, fifth generation dairy farmers who came to Canada from Holland in the early 90’s. While they loved their new country, they found there was a paucity of descent cheese. Since they couldn’t find good Gouda, they decided to make it themselves.

Episode 2 - Wisahkotewinowak

Dave Skene was a homeless Indigenous kid living on the streets of West End Vancouver, when he got an opportunity to work on a farm in Mexico. After Dave found purpose and meaning by connecting to the land, he now wants to share his journey and inspire the next generation of indigenous youth to follow a similar path.

Episode 3 - Fall Harvest Farm

The Kittle Farm, now run by Rose and Josephine McCormick, has been around since before Canada was a country. They produce: pigs, goats, chickens, bees, and a variety of vegetables, but what they are really known for is pumpkins.

Episode 4 - Shuh Orchards

Robert and Lisa Shuh are multigenerational farmers with a son who plans on taking over the business once they hang it up. After trying a variety of crops Robert determined, despite the challenges of the winds, cold and soil type of the region, apples might be viable.

Episode 5 - Jewels Under the Kilt

Liz Burrow is a concert musician, turned chef, turned palliative care worker. She has reinvented herself numerous times, but she found her true calling as a nut farmer.

Episode 6 - Oakridge Acres

Mark and Jesse Gerber of OakRidge Acres are the farmers in the last episode of the season. Mark has been an organic beef farmer his whole life. But in 2004, when the industry was decimated by Mad Cow Disease, Mark new he had to make changes

Season 2

Episode 1 - Stevanus Family Farm

Nick goes to Bloomingdale, Ontario, right outside Kitchener, to visit his good friends, Aaron and Anne Stevanus. They are the fourth generation to run this family farm. The family is treated to their veggies fire-roasted ala Nick, but the jalapenos are too hot for some.

Episode 2 - Appleflats

Today Nick is in Wellesley, Ontario, visiting Appleflats, a crabapple farm. Our Chef cooks a smoked duck glazed with their special jelly and they toast the day with Crabby Bros Cider.

Episode 3 - Church Hill Farm

Nick’s in New Hamburg, Ontario, visiting Church Hill Farm. This pastoral sheep farm predates the country and is now owned by the Las’s, Max and Vicky. But it is son Owen, who now runs the operation. Of course, lamb is on the menu and Nick makes a medley of delights and serves it on fire-roasted flatbread.

Episode 4 - Udderly Ridiculous

Nick’s in Bright, Ontario, visiting Greg and Cheryl Haskett at their goat dairy farm. What else are you going to make with goat’s milk ice cream? Waffles - sweet!

Episode 5 - 3Gen Organics 3GO

Nick goes to Wallenstein, Ontario, to visit 3 Gen Organics. This pig farm is run by the Israel family. The show concludes with Nick cooking spectacular pork chop sandwiches with the Israel who could hardly appreciate them more.

Episode 6 - Willibald Farm Distillery WIB

Nick is off to Ayr, Ontario to visit Willibald Farm Distillery, run by Jordan Van der Hayden, Cam Formica and Joe Freund. After touring the distillery, the team enjoys a tapas style beef meal prepared, of course, over an open fire.