Kevin Brauch, who came to fame on Food Network's widely syndicated Thirsty Traveler, is hosting the Gourmet Food and Wine Expo in Toronto.

For someone who earns a living tracking down the legend and lore of food and drink to share with a ravenous television audience, the holiday season provides Kevin Brauch with endless opportunities to raise a glass and celebate.

“If you can’t find a special occasion at this time of year, you’re not looking hard enough,” says Brauch, who came to fame on Food Network’s widely syndicated Thirsty Traveler.

“The holidays are the one time of year when I try and be home and get together,” explains the widely travelled Toronto native who returns this week to host the Gourmet Food and Wine Expo, which runs November 19-22 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. “I like to do a party for all of the people that I have socially abused over the course of the year by not being around.

“I try and do that on Canada Day and I try and do that over the holidays.”

Brauch has more to celebrate at the onset of this holiday season as his new program, Chef Off, makes its Food Network debut early in the New Year.

The new program sees Brauch orchestrate weekly challenges between two premier Canadian chefs, Michael Blackie from the National Arts Centre in Ottawa and Michael Lyon from Calgary. “It’s a culinary back alley street fight,” he says, adding that he acts as instigator and referee in these culinary conflicts. At the end of the challenge he moderates a taste-off that is critiqued by Toronto food writer James Chatto and two guest critics.

The loser needs to perform what Brauch calls “a penance” — a punishment relating to the episode’s theme.

“It’s a little Kenny vs. Spenny in that way,” Brauch says, referencing the Canadian comedy program that pits two friends against each other. “There’s a lot going on.”

Brauch returns to Toronto after a three-week stint in New York City where he filmed new episodes of Iron Chef America and a quick visit to Victoria, British Columbia to attend its annual Art of the Cocktail festival.

These recent public appearances are the first opportunity he has had to start promoting the new Canadian made program, which he says is getting good reviews from the network brass. “We’re looking at (doing) three seasons hopefully,” he says.

As for the prospects ever seeing new episodes of Thirsty Traveler, Brauch says fans need to wait a while longer before they’ll see him travelling the world again in search of fabulous wine, potent spirits or a friendly pint and the stories that shape the way in which they are made and best enjoyed.

“We are working on a new concept now to get it back,” he explains. “We will likely change the focus. Maybe we won’t always go out to the vineyard, distillery or brewery. We could maybe stay in a city — Paris, London… — and maybe spread the focus out to include (beer, wine and spirits) as part of a meal.

“I’m so busy with all of these other products that it’s constantly shunned to the side. That’s not a back thing because the more I travel and the more I think about it, the more the idea evolves in my head for when the time comes to write it down, pitch it and get it done.”

Christopher Waters is editor of Vines Magazine. He can be reached at chris@vinesmag.com

Wine of the week:

HHHH

Viña Montes 2007 Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon

Colchagua Valley, Chile

AB $23 | BC $27 | MB $25 | ON $19.95 (322586)

A small amount of Merlot is blended into this savoury and refined Cabernet Sauvignon from one of Chile’s top producers. A mix of dark fruit and earthy notes (tobacco and olive) is featured on the elegantly structured palate.

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