About Us

 

Rebels in the Kitchen is a partnership between Lebanese Chef Rawan Al Wadaa and her French Canadian Producer Donald Charette. Being rebels at heart, whether it be in food, arts, sciences, music, and social activism they always strived to do things differently. They always seek to be creative with a dash of humor to get their messages across. They work tirelessly towards improving the current state of food and kitchen literacy one Rawan Reacts video at a time!

So… in a nutshell Rebels in the Kitchen is an “educentric” food business with a core mission to increase food and kitchen literacy through the creation of immersive and entertaining products and services. 

We have now found our groove focusing our passions on:

Developing accessible immersive and entertaining products to help increase food and kitchen literacy via virtual cooking classes, e-learning programs/courses, entertaining and informative social media content, community-food projects, community outreach, and more!

Educating the general public about Lebanese culture and food customs. Rawan arrived from Lebanon in Canada in 2015 and noticed that many aspects of Lebanese culture are not known or simply misunderstood. Through her funny and informative cooking classes, cooking retreats, online social media content (Rawan Reacts series), guest chef appearances, recipe development, and e-learning programs/courses (in development) she is proudly spreading her love for Lebanese culture!

Rawan Al Wadaa

Ambassador of Lebanese Cuisine

Chef Rawan is Your Ambassador of Lebanese cuisine in Canada. 

She works tirelessly to spread her nafas cooking philosophy to help home cooks from around the world discover the wonders of Lebanese cuisine and culture while exploring the use of their senses in the kitchen. With over 10 years of experience in the food industry as a culinary and pastry chef, cooking class instructor, entrepreneur, and most importantly daughter to a Lebanese mama, Rawan is excited to give back and share her wealth of knowledge of cooking with you.

Rawan’s radiating personality and passion for teaching have been showcased on CBC’s “In Town and Out”, CTV News, and on BBC World Service – “The Food Chain”. Her recipes have been featured in Edible Ottawa, Edible Vancouver & Wine Country and in Ottawa’s Faces Magazine.

Rawan loves to stay connected with her community on socials. Drop her a follow and ask her any questions you may have about Lebanon, food & cooking!

Instagram @rebelsinthekitchen.ca
Facebook @rebelsinthekitchen.ca
Email: rawan@rebelsinthekitchen.com

Don Charette

Project Manager

The best way to sum up my personality is from a quirky t-shirt I received as a gift from Roe. It portrays a sketch of a very happy monster screaming “Isn’t being alive amazing!?”

For the past 10 years I have worked with and for the Government of Canada, academic and private institutions, arts sector organizations, private, municipal, academic, and local partners on community-based environmental and health-related projects. I also have a creative side producing high-quality photography, music and video productions, and managing large-scale artistic events under my previous business venture Naskigo Productions. My past employers and clients include Health Canada (FNIHB), Carleton University, McMaster University, The History Group (Truth and Reconciliation Commission), Ottawa Chamberfest, La Nouvelle Scène Gilles Desjardins, École secondaire publique De La Salle, and AMEC. I hold a Hrs. B.Sc. Major in Biology, Minor in Chemistry degree from the University of Ottawa.

I am honoured to have co-founded Rebels ITK as it is grounded in many of my fundamental values such as supporting local economies, spending time with family and friends, enjoying delicious food, and most of all creating innovative and community-based experiences for people to continue to enjoy cooking and sharing!

Odin

Team Leader

In Old Norse texts, Odin is a revered god depicted as one-eyed, long-bearded, frequently wielding a spear named Gungnir, and wearing a cloak and a broad hat. While our Odin does not wield a spear, he does wear a fury cloak and somewhat of a broad hat. We love him dearly and appreciate his zesty personality, crumb-cleaning skills and culinary finesse.