The widely loved Joseph Hoare, former food editor of Toronto Life magazine, was immensely supportive of young writers interested in food and gastronomy, writers such as James Chatto, Lucy Waverman and John Allemang.
After Mr. Hoare’s death in 1997, his family chose to honour his lifelong passion for food and food writing by means of an endowment to the innovative Gastronomic Writer-in-Residence Program at Stratford Chefs School, later renamed the Joseph Hoare Gastronomic Writer-in-Residence Program (JHGWIR).
The Role of the Joseph Hoare Gastronomic Writer in Residence (JHGWIR)
During their annual two-week residence in Stratford, the JHGWIR leads workshops about food writing, provides one-on-one consultations with students who are interested in food writing, and presents readings and discussions of their work to both students and the public, with the overall goal of contributing to a well-rounded education for students, a primary objective of the School.
The JHGWIR advances food writing as an important source of knowledge about food culture, and helps engage students and the public in experiencing, enjoying and understanding the gastronomy of our time.
Joseph Hoare
Joshna Maharah, JHGWIR 2025
Joseph Hoare Gastronomic Writer in Residence 2025
JOSHNA MAHARAJ
Joshna Maharaj is a chef, speaker and activist who wants to help everyone have a better relationship with their food. She believes strongly in the power of chefs and social gastronomy to bring values of hospitality, sustainability and social justice to the table.
Joshna’s first book Take Back the Tray (May 2020) is a story about how a chef took on an institution and tried to make change, and captures the lessons and experience from her work in creating a movement to reconnect food with health, wellness, education, and rehabilitation in public institutions around the globe.
With 15 years of experience in television, radio, and as a culinary and university instructor, Joshna is an easy-going, engaging teacher who reimagines the nature of a classroom.
Joshna is an award-winning, two-time TEDx speaker and is currently working on a Master’s in Gastronomy at Technological University (TU) Dublin where she is enjoying the delights of being a student once again.
Past Joseph Hoare Gastronomic Writers-in-Residence
- 2024 – Lesley Chesterman
- 2023 – Ann Hui
- 2022 – Andrew Coppolino
- 2021 – Bob Blumer
- 2018-2020 – Jane Sigal
- 2017 – Andrew George Jr.
- 2016 – Molly Wizenberg
- 2015 – Gabrielle Hamilton
- 2014 – Lucy Waverman
- 2013 – Dianne Jacob
- 2012 – James Oseland
- 2011 – Clotilde Dusoulier
- 2010 – Ian Brown
- 2009 – Michael Symons
- 2008 – Corby Kummer
- 2007 – James Chatto
The intersection of education, hospitality and passion at which the School staff live and work is phenomenal, and the dedication and care that they each bring to every aspect of their role at the Chefs School is the reason that this institution is so special.
– JONATHON FARRELL | Class of 2023 Valedictorian