Canadian Chef Partnership Takes Spotlight on Food Network Competition Connie DeSousa and John Jackson are competing on Food Network's newly premiered competition series Pitmasters, marking another high-profile television appearance for the Calgary-based culinary duo. The chefs have built a recognizable presence across multiple cooking competition shows, including Top Chef Canada, Top Chef USA, Fire Masters, and Big Burger Battle. Since 1999, DeSousa and Jackson have operated as co-chefs and business partners at CHAR Hospitality Group, the parent company behind restaurants CHARCUT and charbar. Both establishments were recognized among Canada's Best New Restaurants and have earned multiple placements in Canada's Top 100 Restaurants list.
Live-Fire Cooking and Alberta Focus The partnership emphasizes live-fire cooking techniques and Alberta agriculture as core elements of their culinary identity. Beyond restaurant operations, the chefs have used their platform to advocate for mental health awareness within the hospitality industry and promote Western Canadian culture through outdoor adventure and endurance sports. DeSousa and Jackson's television history reflects growing interest in competition-format shows featuring barbecue and live-fire cooking. Their appearance on Pitmasters aligns with Food Network's continued focus on this cooking category.
Why It Matters
For restaurant operators and hospitality entrepreneurs, the DeSousa-Jackson partnership demonstrates a long-term model for co-leadership and brand building in the Canadian market. Their sustained presence across multiple television platforms underscores how culinary credibility translates to restaurant visibility and operational longevity.
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Written by FBM Publications Editors
