Brian J. Warner

Head Chef

Brian's passion for food started at a very early age. As a child, Brian used to visit his elementary school library and read cook books. He also used to watch the only televised cooking show of the time (The Galloping Gourmet). His passion carried over to a compulsion to learn about food, how to write menus and put flavours together with the precision of a chemist. The love of cooking drew him towards the food service industry. He attended Centennial College of Applied Arts and Technology where he studied Hospitality Administration, majoring in Hotel and Resort Management. Brian also attended McMaster University for the business management certificate course.

His thirty plus years of service in the food industry has seen him go from pizza delivery to dishwashing, bartending and apprenticing in many aspects of food service including fast food, family style, pub style, catering and fine dining. Brian also owned his own restaurant and catering company with his mother and father as well as working as a sales representative for a foodservice supplier. It was with the supplier that Brian learned a great deal more about food than ever before. The manufacturers are always happy to share all information with sales representatives to assist them in being able to sell the product. Brian became a certified beef expert by the Beef Information Council of Canada while working at Summit Foods.

Brian's knowledge of foods, food chemistry and recipe creation has been highlighted in the Childventures newsletter. He continues to further his food knowledge by attending seminars, shows and reading about the latest trends in the industry.

Tammy Allen

Nutritionist

Tammy Allen is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Personal Trainer Specialist. She is passionate about promoting whole health with the use of natural nutrition which recognizes that food along with exercise is essential to optimal health.

Interested in fitness even as a child, it wasn't until two of her children were diagnosed with asthma and various allergies including an anaphylactic allergy to peanuts that she began to look closely at nutrition. She soon realized that health and ultimately the quality of life is determined by the foods we eat. As a graduate of the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, she now works with people of all ages teaching them about the powerful health benefits of optimal nutrition.

Tammy owns Whole Health Nutrition and Fitness in Caledonia where she lives with her husband and four children.

Whole Grains

Grains are a key fuel and a good source of complex carbohydrates, which are slower burning and provide a more sustained energy than refined grains. Refined white flour contains about 75% of the whole wheat kernels but fewer than half of the nutrients. Whole, unrefined grains provide a rich source of fibre, a wide range of B vitamins, vitamin E and many important minerals such as magnesium, zinc, potassium, and iron to help ensure a nutrient rich source of energy.

Fruits and Vegetables

Plant substances are being recognized as powerful factors in the fight against disease. Fruits and vegetables not only offer a wide variety of vitamins and minerals essential for health, they also provide phytonutrients. These phytonutrients have been shown to have important immune-enhancing effects in helping to maintain a healthy immune system. Eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables allows these phytonutrients the ability to enhance the body's self-protective powers.

Protein

Protein is needed for the growth and the maintenance of a healthy body. Protein makes up about 20% of our body weight and is the primary component of our muscles, skin, hair, nails, eyes and internal organs, especially our heart and brain. Providing essential protein from sources like fish, turkey and chicken supports many functions including the formation of anti-bodies required to help fight infections.

Fats

The brain is 60% fat and it's essential to know which fats will best feed your brain. Not only do children need them to stay free from disease, they also need them to maximize intelligence. Essential fats, Omega-3 and omega-6, are the only two fats that must be obtained through the diet. Omega-3 fats are provided best with fish and flaxseed and optimal omega-6 sources can be found in pumpkin and sunflower seeds.

Water

Water is fundamental to health and is involved in almost every bodily function. Water requirements can vary greatly from child to child. Ensuring your child is well hydrated with fresh water throughout the day is crucial to a healthy mind and healthy body.