CBC-TV launches open casting for its next food star

TORONTO – CBC-TV has cooked up an open casting call for its next food star.

The public broadcaster is accepting audition tapes from amateur and professional gourmands alike to join the daytime lineup.

Audition tapes should be no longer than five minutes and should highlight the wannabe host’s personality and cooking skills.

Those interested can post their videos to YouTube and email the link to foodhost@cbc.ca, or mail or drop it off to the CBC on a DVD, memory stick or data disc as a QuickTime file.

Details are at www.CBC.ca/foodhost.

The deadline for submissions is 11:59 p.m. ET on Aug. 10.

The CBC already runs the daily food shows “Best Recipes Ever” and “In the Kitchen with Stefano Faita.”

Executive producer Krista Look says their new host should be someone who’s passionate, inspiring and informative and “enjoys all things food.”

“We want to be ‘wowed’ by their culinary skill and ease in the kitchen, their ability to chat and prepare food at the same time, making cooking look effortless and fun,” Look says in a Q&A on the CBC website.

“Also, our new host should love to teach others how to cook — a need to share what they know with others. They are someone whose ultimate goal is to help Canadians get delicious food on the table every day.”