George Brown grad Aakash Dhall wins season 3 of Food Network’s Fire Masters; new scholarship announced in his honour

'I love George Brown'

Dhall said he knew his way around a kitchen when he arrived at George Brown but needed to get used to the language and culture in Canada. He said the supportive, inclusive and welcoming environment he found at George Brown contributed to his success. 

“I love George Brown,” he said. “As I kept on learning, I thought, wow these are people who want to contribute towards my growth. They're willing to accept me the way I am. There was just so much positivity around me.” 

Dhall gave a special shout-out to former professors Abigail Picado, Anne Yarymowich, Riley Bennet and now-retired Rodney Donne. 

Advice for students and recent grads 

Patience plays a big role in success, Dhall says. When he came to Canada, he realized he had to focus on different areas of cooking based on North American culinary culture and dedicated his time to learning about meat. Dhall interned with butchers and at fish markets, picking up new skills. He said knowing when it’s time to move on to the next challenge is important. 

“I climbed up the ladder. I started as an intern, junior cook, commis chef, demi-chef de partie, and chef de partie and I paid my dues learning fish butchery for a year. I was constantly challenged to perform,” he said. 

“If you’re passionate, you're constantly focused on challenging yourself because you have to be better.” 

Dhall timed himself while cooking in preparation for appearing in a televised culinary competition. Now that he has one cooking championship under his belt, he continues to prepare for the possibility of appearing in another Food Network show, such as Top Chef. 

“I want to leave a mark somehow,” he said, “I've been inspired, and I want to inspire someone.”