Entrepreneur, chef, mom and business owner, Chef Erica Karbelnik, has a lot on the go — but she’s not stopping anytime soon!
How It started
“I started cooking when I was really young, at about the age of four,” she says. “I was that weird kid that loved watching cooking shows on the Food Network instead of Saturday morning cartoons.”
While some of her friends fawned over Looney Toons and Disney princesses, Chef Karbelnik idolized Emeril Laggase, Christine Cushing and Anna Olson. Even during school, she incorporated food into her different class projects. During a grade 5 presentation on Spain, Chef Karbelnik remembers cooking late into the night with her mom, making paella and churros to share with the class.
“Growing up, I was always in the kitchen with my mom or my grandmother learning the Polish ways of cooking,” she says. “It was a lot of fun, and the time I got to bond most with my family. We loved having people over and entertaining, and I would always be there right by my grandmother’s side to help out.”
Although Chef Karbelnik always knew she loved cooking, it was never something she aspired to turn into a career. She remembers while in high school, at the young age of 17, she whipped up a bowl of pasta alfredo for her then-boyfriend Josh Karbelnik (a fellow chef, now husband and business partner). “You love to do this, and you’re good at it…why not try working in a professional kitchen?” he said. That simple bowl of pasta and her husband’s encouraging advice changed the course of Chef Karbelnik’s life.
Shortly after, Chef Karbelnik worked up the nerve to approach the Hazelton Hotel in Toronto. With limited experience in family restaurants and bakeries, she insisted on speaking with the Executive Chef. She walked up to Andrew Ellerby and asked if she could start a co-op apprenticeship in his kitchen. He said yes.
Chef Karbelnik says the following months were some of the hardest she’s ever worked. But being in the kitchen every day alongside inspiring chefs and mentors, working with beautiful ingredients and helping to create awe-inspiring dishes, Chef Karbelnik knew she was where she was meant to be.
Fortunately, her hard work, drive and passion paid off. After she completed her apprenticeship, Chef Ellerby offered her a full-time position at ONE restaurant in the Hazelton hotel. She worked there for the following three years, soaking up as much information as she could. Following that, Chef Karbelnik pursued culinary school, continuing on to get her degree in Culinary and Hospitality Management before returning back to ONE for one final year.
Chef Erica inspires her followers on social media, sharing incredible recipes, food photography, and her journey as a competitor, judge, and business owner.
Next Steps
Chef Karbelnik went on to work in kitchens across Canada, from Toronto to Vancouver, and travelled the world to learn more cooking techniques. A honeymoon to Morocco helped her reconnect with her Moroccan heritage. “I wanted to learn more about where I come from and my culture, and when I went on my honeymoon, I fell in love with the people and the cuisine,” she says. “It left a mark in my heart to see where I came from and taste the food of my people.”
The duo’s journey led them to both apply for Food Network’s Season 9 of Top Chef Canada.
“My husband and I had been fans of the show for years,” explains Chef Karbelnik. “My husband pushed me and said ‘C’mon, let’s do it. Let’s see if we even get on’.”
Fortunately, they both were asked to compete in the 2021 season. “I walked into Top Chef Canada confident in myself and what I could bring to the table, but I never thought I would win,” she says. “There were many talented chefs there, so all I could do was put my best foot forward and do what I knew how to do best: cook.”
Chef Karbelnik said she channelled her inner child, using techniques she learned from her mom, grandmother, and father, and honed through her travels. She cooked from her heart, using Moroccan flavours, and put everything on the plate. Despite initial nerves upon seeing the talent of the other chefs, Chef Karbelnik competed fiercely and won.
“The best part was I got to cook alongside my husband in the finale, with him as my sous chef,” she says. “So, we won together. And that is an amazing feeling.”
Top Chef Canada hasn’t been the only opportunity for Chef Karbelnik to show the public her cooking expertise. She was also the winner of Food Network’s Chopped Canada in Season 3, was named to Marquee Magazine’s list of Top 30 Most Inspirational Women 2022, was a judge for the 2022 Chef Collective Battle, and represented Canada in the VI World Tapas Competition in Spain, November 2022.
What’s on her plate?
Today, Chef Karbelnik is the proud founder and chef of Karbs Catering & Private Events — a company she co-owns with her husband, Josh.
The husband-wife team developed the concept for Karbs Catering during the pandemic. They had been forced to leave their jobs, like many others in the industry, and noticed that people really missed dining at restaurants. They began getting requests from friends and family to host big dinner parties, and recognized there was a great opportunity to work together and begin their own business.
The popularity of the pair’s business concept continued to gain steam. Clients were excited at the prospect of having Chef Karbelnik and her husband — two chefs with over 20 years of experience in some of Canada’s best restaurants — cook in their homes, and the requests began pouring in.
Chef Karbelnik grew the business while pregnant with her baby girl. And once restaurants began re-opening, the couple realized they didn’t want to go back to working 18-hour days and missing out on life with their baby.
“My husband and I loved working together. We are best friends, and it came naturally. And we loved doing these private events, so we decided to make it official and open up Karbs Catering & Private Events.”
Chef Karbelnik says that Karbs Catering serves every occasion, from weddings and corporate parties, to private date nights. With the pair’s extensive industry experience, combined with their global experiences, Karbs Catering believes in the ability to transport diners to any country in the world through food. The pair brings the full restaurant experience to their customers, providing a full table set up including chef plates, candles, florals, printed menus and service staff.
What differentiates the company is its focus on custom-tasting menus diners can enjoy from their own homes. The pair work directly with clients to come up with their dream menu. Every menu is different and designed specifically for the client. There are no lists to choose from, and no two parties are ever the same.
“We make it personal because we believe food is personal,” says Chef Karbelnik. “We plan on continuing to grow our company, expand as much as we can, and be the top private chef/events company in Toronto.”
Between being an entrepreneur, chef, mom and business owner, Chef Karbelnik has a lot on the go — but she’s not stopping anytime soon! Catch this mom boss in upcoming cooking competitions, and watch for partnerships with some amazing people to be announced in 2023.
Connect with Chef Erica:
@chefericak
@bringonthekarbs
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