Chef Noel Cunningham, a proud Jamaican-Canadian and extremely revered identify within the culinary world, has been named one of many Prime 20 Trailblazers by the Canadian World Awards. Recognized for mixing Jamaican & Caribbean traditions with Canadian flavors, Noel’s work goes far past the kitchen. His influence on meals, tradition, and group has earned him this nationwide recognition by a platform that celebrates people shaping the way forward for Canada.
“This recognition means a lot. It’s a strong reminder that when our work is pushed by ardour and objective, it doesn’t go unnoticed,” says Cunningham.
A Journey from Kingston to Canada’s Culinary Highlight
Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, Noel Cunningham started his culinary journey in native kitchens earlier than shifting to Canada. His early work in Manitoba helped form his identification as a chef, and he was later named Winnipeg’s prime chef in 2018. In 2019, he moved to Toronto the place he continued to increase his model and influence.
Because the founder and government chef of Delicacies by Noel, a Toronto-based non-public chef and catering enterprise, Noel launched a brand new viewers to the wealthy flavors and storytelling of Jamaican & Caribbean cuisine. His distinctive model—elegant, Caribbean-fusion dishes made with contemporary, sustainable substances—rapidly earned him a loyal following.
Caribbean Flavors, Canadian Impression
Noel’s signature strategy to meals has introduced Caribbean delicacies into Canadian properties and media. He has been featured on nationwide tv reveals equivalent to CP24 Breakfast, CTV Your Morning, World Information, and Breakfast Tv. He additionally hosts his personal podcast, What’s Cooking with Chef Noel, the place he discusses culinary traits, interviews trade leaders, and shares kitchen suggestions.
Past his cooking, Noel can also be a author. He publishes weekly meals columns and is the writer of Cuisine by Noel: A Culinary Journey Through Recipes and Stories. The cookbook options 100 of his favourite recipes together with reflections from his journey as a chef.
Award-Successful Culinary Character
Chef Noel isn’t any stranger to recognition. He has received a number of ByBlacks People’s Choice Awards, together with Greatest Black Chef in Canada (2019 and 2020), Greatest Caterer, Greatest Podcaster, and Greatest Restaurant and Baker in 2021. In 2024, he was honored with a Prime 25 Canadian Immigrant Award, celebrating newcomers who positively form Canadian society.
In 2022, he was named one of many 60 most influential Jamaican-Canadians within the Larger Toronto and Hamilton Space, reflecting his dedication to cultural pleasure and group upliftment.
Giving Again and Uplifting Others
Noel’s affect isn’t restricted to meals. He helps causes that matter deeply to him, together with the Sherbourne Well being’s Meals for Good marketing campaign and the SickKids Basis. These efforts give attention to bettering entry to wholesome meals and supporting kids’s well being.
By means of catering, non-public eating, cooking courses, and mentoring, Noel makes use of his platform to encourage others—particularly these with humble beginnings like his personal.
“Being named a Trailblazer is not only about private success—it’s about utilizing that platform to elevate others, share our tales, and open doorways,” he provides.
