WHO WE ARE
Esther Benaim
Co-Owner & CEO
Born in Casablanca, Morocco, Esther Benaim, owner and CEO of Great Cooks, is an innovator. She was the first to entice Toronto's top chefs to teach in her cooking school. She was a pioneer in gastronomic tourism, having planned and guided culinary trips to cities such as New York, Chicago and Santa Fe. She remains a trendsetter: an accomplished restaurateur who was quick to recognize the growing consumer demand for premium tea, a trend she incorporated in her vision for Great Cooks and the T Spot then at Great Cooks on Eight.
Esther has been part of Toronto's vibrant food scene since the early 1980s, when she managed the rapidly growing Dufflet Pastries, and later became administrator of Great Cooks. After seven successful years in that role, she assumed ownership of the cooking school. Over the years, Great Cooks has helped launch the careers of many of Toronto's top chefs, and has hosted various prominent international guests and cookbook authors.
A confident and enthusiastic cook herself, Esther enjoys sharing her passion for food through the media. She has appeared on television, radio and in print, in both English and French. Her credits include Christine Cushing Live, Breakfast Television, Radio-Canada, Toronto Dining, plus stints as guest judge for The National Post and Kenny vs. Spenny.
Esther is a firm believer in the importance of channelling her culinary passion to benefit the community. Great Cooks has been an annual participant in fundraising events such as Toronto Taste, Eat to the Beat, Vinifera and Seafood for Thought. Esther also has conceived, organized and hosted special charitable events: "Chefs for Haiti" raised $15,000 for disaster relief.
She is an active member of Les Dames d'Escoffier and the Women's Culinary Network. In 2005, Esther felt honoured to receive the WCN award for "Woman of the Year", in recognition of her many accomplishments.