The Redhead and the Chef – A Thunder Bay Delight

THUNDER BAY – FOOD NOW – Someone (or something) that has hidden exceptional characteristics and/or future potential, but currently lacks the final touches that would make them (or it) truly stand out from the crowd. That is how I can best describe the Redhead & the Chef, except now, they do stand out and their clientele has grown substantially. They are now a true hidden local gem.

A while ago, I was asked to write stories on hidden gems in our city.

Well today, I am going to tell you of a diamond in the rough.

Just over a year ago if you mentioned a Chicken Parm sandwich not too many places would stand out in your mind, but say it now and anyone who has visited this local place will tell you its simply the best sandwich ever, along with the perogy soup, they can’t be beat.

In November 2012 the Redhead & the Chef started offering take out at lunch time to people to get people to try their food, from a small cramped kitchen in their home, in December 2013 the Redhead & the Chef have expanded into the Masonic Hall on Dease St.

Offering lunches and dinners three days a week unless they have prior catering obligations, you can find Chef Derek, and his lovely wife, the Redhead, Jennifer at 1600 Dease St inside the Masonic Hall.

The first time I went to their home, they made me feel very welcome and while waiting for my take-out order I began chatting with  Jennifer.

Jennifer & Derek have a passion for food, they enjoy feeding people and it shows in every dish they prepare, they love seeing everyone enjoying their food.

After just over a year of doing this out of their home, they decided it was getting to busy and people were asking for a place to come and sit down at lunch time, so they began the search, that is how they ended up in their current location. They have been in the Masonic Hall since December 2013 and have become many people’s favorite go to place for a great sit down meal.

The Redhead and the Chef not only offers sit down lunches, dinners and catering, but on special holidays they offer an amazing buffet brunch. Christmas, Easter and even Mothers Day this year was a big success for them, people love them and keep coming back for more.

The prices for their amazing brunches are substantially lower then big name establishments in town which makes them even more appealing.

After 28 years of being in the culinary field, Chef Derek  decided he wanted to do this for himself, so along with the love of his life Jennifer, the Redhead, they started the Redhead & the Chef.

Originally their hopes were for a food truck, but as time went by they decided to focus more on catering and offering take out lunches and dinners, which expanded to holiday brunches.

The Redhead and the Chef is located at 1600 Dease St in the Masonic Hall; they offer lunches Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 11:00 am til 2pm unless they have prior catering commitments, which they always announce on their Facebook page, and on Thunder Bay Dining to let their loyal customers know.

They also offer a sit down or take out dinner from 4pm til 7pm on the same evenings.

This year the Chef will be introducing BBQ items as they have access to an outdoor grill and I can only imagine the amazing dishes that will be added to the summer menu.

So, if your looking for an amazing new lunch/dinner or take out place, you simply must give the Redhead & the Chef a try. Check out their Facebook page or their website at www.theredheadandthechef.com.

The Redhead and the Chef allow you to call in your orders so you can drop in and pick it up if your on a tight lunch schedule, or pre-order so your lunch is ready when you get to the hall to enjoy a sit down meal.

They also offer delivery on larger orders, or you can call them directly and place an order; the number to call is 621-1599 or 285-8558.

Stop in and give them a try, I am sure you will not be disappointed, tell them the Dining Lady sent you!