Roger Mooking: Blending Food, Art, and Community in Grey County

Renowned chef, artist, and television personality Roger Mooking wears many hats, but his passion for food, creativity, and community-building ties everything together. As Grey County’s first Culinary Ambassador, Mooking is on a mission to showcase the region’s rich agricultural offerings, vibrant culinary scene, and deep-rooted history.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Roger for the Support Local Podcast, where we discussed his career, his work in Grey County, and his latest projects that combine food, art, and social impact.

From TV Chef to Culinary Ambassador

Mooking is well-known for his extensive career in the food industry, having hosted shows on Food Network and Cooking Channel for over 15 years. He also operates Twist by Roger Mooking at Pearson Airport, which is celebrating its 10-year anniversary. But his passion extends beyond just cooking—he’s deeply invested in food culture and storytelling.

“I believe that what drives a culture—aside from the arts and community events—is food, beverage, and agritourism,” Mooking explains. “And in Grey County, you find that at every corner—local farms producing eggs, cheese, honey, dairy, produce, and even artisans creating ceramics and glassware.”

This philosophy aligns perfectly with the Gather Campaign, an initiative created in partnership with Grey County’s Economic Development Department. Through Gather, Mooking is using his platform to highlight the region’s culinary strengths and encourage people to “savour the taste of community.”

Rocklands Market: A Hub for Creativity and Connection

One of Mooking’s most exciting ventures in Grey County is Rocklands Market, an event and studio space located in Berkeley. The venue hosts a variety of retreats, including culinary experiences, financial literacy workshops, and wellness retreats.

“Rocklands is an event space, but it’s also a place for community growth,” says Mooking. “We bring kids from underserved communities up here, teach them about financial literacy and culinary arts, and expose them to new opportunities.”

For many of these young participants, it’s a life-changing experience.

“A lot of these kids have never left their three- or four-block radius,” Mooking shares. “Imagine getting on a bus, driving two hours, and seeing the countryside for the first time. They meet someone who looks like them, owns 13 acres, and is giving back to the community. It’s inspiring.”

Exploring Black History in Grey County

Beyond food and business, Mooking is passionate about history—especially the deep Black history in Grey County.

“Grey County was the last terminal of the Underground Railroad,” he says. “There’s a long history of Black Canadians here. Davenport Road in Toronto? Named after a Grey County guy. The first Black Masonic Lodge in Ontario? That was in Grey County.”

Bringing urban youth to the region isn’t just about giving them a new experience—it’s about reconnecting them with history and helping them see that they, too, have a place in rural Canada.

What’s Next for Roger Mooking?

With his hands in so many projects, I had to ask Mooking what’s next. His response?

“I don’t like to talk about things before they’re ready,” he says with a smile. “A pressure pot has to build before it finishes cooking.”

But if history is any indication, whatever Mooking is working on will be worth the wait.

From cooking over open flames at Rocklands to championing Grey County’s culinary scene, Roger Mooking is proving that food is more than just sustenance—it’s a way to connect, create, and inspire.

Watch the full interview – presented by Associated Podcasts (APod)

Photo: Cathy Chatterton Photography