Michael Allemeier

Michael hails from a diverse background that exposed him to many new cultures and foods at a young age. Originally from South Africa, he moved with his family to Hong Kong before lighting in Canada at the age of 12. Michael began his cooking career at 16 years of age in Winnipeg at the St. Boniface Golf Club and was smitten. “I could never work behind a desk,” says Michael, “I need to use my hands and imagination to create new ideas and dishes!”

Allemeier describes his cooking style as “deeply rooted in French technique, but using a New World influence, featuring the best local and seasonal ingredients. “My dishes are very much influenced by the season and by what ingredients are available, while always striving to present each ingredient in a new and exciting way.”

Michael Allemeier joined the spectacular Teatro, Calgary culinary team as Executive Chef in 1998, bringing with him a wide and varied experience working in some of the best kitchens in Canada such as Amici’s in Winnipeg and the Wildflower in Whister. Certainly one of the highlights of Allemeier’s career was his time spent as Executive Chef at the esteemed Bishop’s in Vancouver, and working with the Canadian Culinary Olympic Team Captain, Simon Smotkowics. During the 1993 Vancouver Summit Michael had the honour of cooking for the Presidents Bill Clinton and Boris Yeltsin.

Michael gained international recognition when inducted into the Chaine des Rotisseurs, the oldest culinary food organization in the world originating in 1248, as “Chef Rotisseur”.

He has proven his diversity as a chef through his various approaches to cooking, including serving as a consultant for menu development with Canadian Airlines and sharing his knowledge with young culinary students as their instructor.

Michael says that what he loves most about what he does is the ability to work with the team at Teatro, which he likens to a close family, working together to create world class cuisine in an elegant setting.

See Michael Allemeier in these shows

Cook Like a Chef

Set in a dramatic cooking environment, this innovative series features young chefs exploring and explaining a myriad of cooking techniques. Breaking the fourth wall, every imaginable technique, tip, and kitchen secret is revealed teaching viewers how to cook, not what to cook.