Imrun Texeira

He Always Has Something On His Plate

Not many 17-year-olds can say they’ve cooked breakfast for Oprah Winfrey.

For Imrun Texeira, cooking for Oprah when he was a teenager has been the icing on the cake for a short but impressive career in the culinary industry.

Imrun started his career at the tender age of 14 at the Lone Star Texas Grill in Kanata, Ontario as a busboy. Before long, he was on the line, keeping pace with chefs with decades of experience. His time at the Lone Star led to a full-time apprenticeship at the prestigious Brookstreet Hotel at the age of 16.

After graduating high school, Imrun knew exactly what he wanted to do and enrolled in the Culinary Apprenticeship program at Algonquin College.

“Culinary school was a playground,” recalls Imrun. “I used every piece of equipment, and stepped out of my comfort zone. Trying different things really helped me get to where I am today.”

Since graduating in 2014, Imrun has travelled around the United Kingdom, talking his way in to interning at top Michelin star restaurants. After returning to Ottawa in 2016, Imrun worked at the Atelier Restaurant. In early 2016 he competed against his brother on the Food Network’s Chopped Canada.

In 2016 Imrun was also nominated for a College’s Ontario Premier’s Award, which recognizes the outstanding contributions Ontario college graduates make throughout the world.

Despite these huge successes, he remains incredibly humble and doesn’t forget those who have helped him get to where he is today.

“So many professors have taken the time to teach me, and for me to now pass on knowledge to others is the best feeling in the world,” says Imrun. “I find it very fulfilling to pass on knowledge and would love to come back to Algonquin College to teach someday.”

Imrun was a sous chef at renowned Ottawa restaurant, Stofa, one of Canada’s Top 100 Restaurants, as well as an accomplished contestant on Food Network’s Top Chef Canada. He has recently accepted an internship at Noma Restaurant, one of the world’s best restaurants, located in Copenhagen.