The Judges

  • Karen Humphrey

    In 2006, Karen combined her love of writing with her love of cooking and began blogging at Notes From the Cookie Jar. She then started Chasing Tomatoes when family began requesting recipes. Soon she found her niche when Jamie Oliver began advocating for healthy school food in the USA and hasn't stopped. As a speaker at Breathe Now (2012) and Blissdom Canada (2010) and the food editor of the award winning Yummy Mummy Club, Karen has been spreading the real food message to anyone who will listen. Whether it's online or in her work with special needs children, Karen has taught countless children how to cook in everything from grade one classrooms to high school alternative programs. She continues to provide tips, articles, and mouth watering recipes on her blog as well as over at Yummy Mummy Club with the message that you really can cook with your kids from scratch and have fun doing it!

  • Michael Eckford

    Michael Eckford is a busy man. He has managed to hold a steady job hosting top-rated television shows for over fifteen years. He also co-hosts Classic Rock 101’s The Bro Jake Morning Show with Bro Jake and Alece Anderson.

    Mike has been honoured with numerous industry awards including a Leo Award and various Readers’ Choice Awards from The Georgia Straight and TV Week Magazine. During his interviews, he has been called a girly man by Arnold Schwarzenegger, swapped stories with Regis Philbin, been taught how to trash talk with UFC star Chael Sonnen, and sung backup for Quiet Riot on "Come on Feel the Noise"...badly.

    An avid reader, Mike and his wife have three kids and live in Vancouver, BC. When he’s not spending time with his beautiful family, working, or exercising, he can be found sleeping. Please don’t wake him – he needs the rest.

  • Barbara Kemp

    Barbara Kemp has been motivating home cooks since 1998 in a variety of ways. Food is the foundation of good health. It's a theme Kemp promotes in a light, inquisitive manner. Kemp has been facilitating healthy cooking programs throughout the lower Mainland for the past 15 years. She currently manages the Food Skills for Families program, a hands-on, curriculum based Healthy eating program which is delivered throughout the Province by the Canadian Diabetes Association. Born in Vancouver, B.C., Kemp has a BA from the University of British Columbia and a Business Diploma from the British Columbia Institute of Technology.

  • Bobs & LoLo

    Bobs & LoLo are dedicated to connecting kids to nature with music, movement and make-believe. Sharing musical adventures that engage, inspire and educate, they teach their young audiences to care about themselves, their neighbours and the planet. This Canadian music duo was honoured as 2012 and 2010 Juno Award nominees, and they are thrilled to have a new preschool television series launching on Treehouse TV this Spring!

    Robyn Hardy – Bobs
    With a background in teaching and linguistics, Robyn is an enthusiastic and caring individual with a passion for conservation education. On stage she loves to sing, dance, clap, snap and tap!

    Lorraine Pond – LoLo
    As an environmental educator and kinesiology major, Lorraine is an energetic performer with a flare for creating connections between young audiences and the natural world. On stage she loves to sing, dance, wiggle, slide and glide!

    Growing up on Vancouver Island, Robyn and Lorraine have always shared a love of the natural world and a passion for working with children. Creating the dynamic duo Bobs & LoLo has allowed them to combine their diverse academic backgrounds with a mutual love of teaching and the creative arts.

  • Rola Zahr

    Rola Zahr is a Registered Dietitian and works as a nutrition educator with BC Dairy Association. She played a key role in the development of Better Together BC and continues to be closely involved in the Better Together online community.

    Rola believes in the importance of teaching kids how to cook so they become happier, healthier eaters and develop a love for food. At home, Rola gets into big trouble when caught preparing meals without her six-year old daughter!