Originally from Colombia, Mauro Montaño came to Thunder Bay with his family four years ago and has been part of the Norteños team for nearly as long. With six years of experience in the culinary industry, Mauro developed his skills through hands on experience and the guidance of mentors who helped him find his own style in the kitchen.

Mauro also brings an unexpected background to his cooking. As an industrial engineer, he has a natural interest in refining systems, processes and recipes while staying true to the traditions behind them. His cooking is inspired by the way generations of Latin American families have prepared food, drawing on traditional ingredients and Indigenous roots.

A proud Latin American, Mauro loves feeding people and sharing his culture through food. For him, every dish is a chance to bring a little of Latin America’s warmth to the north.

Dave Thomas is the Chef and Owner of Salt & Pepper Catering, which he started in Thunder Bay in 2006. A graduate of Stratford Chefs School, Dave has spent the past 20 years building Salt & Pepper into an award-winning local catering company serving weddings, celebrations, corporate events and more.

Dave is no stranger to a little friendly culinary competition. He was crowned Top Chef Thunder Bay in both 2018 and 2019 after placing second in 2017. His success as a local entrepreneur also earned him the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce’s Business Person of the Year award in 2019.

Now, Dave is ready to put his skills to the test once again as one of the chefs competing in Superior Chef!

From baking donuts in Northern Ontario to working in kitchens around the world, Chef Pete Middaugh has built a culinary career that has taken him from Canada to Paris, Singapore and beyond. Today, he brings that experience home as Executive Chef at the Valhalla Hotel & Conference Centre in Thunder Bay.

Throughout his career, Pete has developed a philosophy centred on preparation, adaptability and always thinking ahead. He also believes some of the best lessons in the kitchen come from the moments that don’t go according to plan. His advice to young chefs is simple: don’t fear failure because it’s one of the best teachers.

With a wealth of experience behind him and a career that has taken him across the globe, Pete is ready to bring his skills to the Superior Chef competition and show Thunder Bay what he can do!

Coming Soon