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
Ivy Knight, JHGWIR 2026
Joseph Hoare Gastronomic Writer in Residence 2026
IVY KNIGHT
Ivy Knight was a line cook before becoming a food writer and filmmaker. She is a French Canadian who was born on the west coast, grew up on the east coast, and currently lives in Toronto. Knight spent a decade cooking professionally before leaving restaurant kitchens to write full time. Her first big interview was Jacques Pepin, her second was Calvin Trillin — those two giants provided the best learning curve for breaking into the business.
Her byline can be found in The New York Times, New Yorker, Food & Wine, and more. She has written two cookbooks for HarperCollins and her short film series OPEN (created with JR Reid and James Chatto), is produced in partnership with the Emmy and James Beard Award-winning Roads & Kingdoms.
Knight also runs the world’s only Céline Dion parody meme account focused on the restaurant industry, @allezceline.
Past Joseph Hoare Gastronomic Writers-in-Residence
- 2025 – Joshna Maharaj
- 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