Fort St. John cattle rancher to join new MasterChef Canada series line-up

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — An aspiring chef from Fort St. John is to appear in the newest season of MasterChef Canada. 

In a series of Facebook posts on September 18th, the CTV show revealed who are the 15 contestants going head-to-head in the new series next month. 

One post says Marianne Smeaton, a mom and cattle rancher from Fort St. John, is joining the line-up. 

She is a former registered nurse who left the profession to parent full-time and run her family’s 160-acre ranch, where they raise Canadian wagyu cattle.

Lemons are the ingredient the 36-year-old “cannot live without,” the Facebook post reads. Press assets also revealed butternut squash barley risotto is her “go-to dish.”

“Leaning in to her Swiss-Canadian background, Marianne hones her cooking skills by creating memorable dining experiences for friends and family, specializing in elevated farm-to-table dishes made from scratch,” says Bell Media – which owns MasterChef Canada.

“She is technical, yet creative, and driven by her desire to someday host pop-up events in her community, from plated dinners and barbecues to pasta-making lessons.”

The first episode of MasterChef Canada season eight, which will see home cooks compete in culinary challenges until only one remains, airs on Thursday, October 2nd.