What is Canadian food?

Replay our chat. Discuss Canada's culinary scene with Canadian celebrity chefs Michael Smith, Aaron Joseph Bear Robe, Mark McEwan and Carl Heinrich. 

In this final discussion before we announce the results of our Canadian Food poll we'll be addressing the question: "What is Canadian food?" 

Earlier this month, we asked our audience to help determine what Canada's national food should be, and received an abundance of suggestions in return.

The 10 most nominated foods were put to a vote, and thousands have already weighed in on what they feel is Canada's most iconic dish.

We'll announce the winner of our poll just in time for the Canada Day long weekend. But first, we're bringing in some special guests for a CBC video live chat to talk about Canadian cuisine and the importance of food in culture.

Mark McEwan has several restaurants in Toronto: North 44, Bymark, ONE and Fabbrica) well as North 44 Caters and McEwan, his fine foods store.  He has authored two cookbooks Great Food at Home and Fabbrica.  McEwan continues into the third season of Top Chef Canada as head judge. 

Aaron Joseph Bear Robe originally hails from Siksika Nation, Alberta. Born of a Blackfoot father and a Scottish-Nova Scotian mother, his rich and varied cultural background informs his dynamic cooking style. With Keriwa Café, chef Aaron hopes to employ the finest quality locally and regionally sourced ingredients drawing from the his peoples and others’ food cultures of Canada and make honest, delicious, rustic food to be enjoyed by all who come to the hearth of Keriwa Café.

Michael Smith, Canada’s best-known chef, is a passionate advocate for simple, sustainable home cooking and an inspiration for families creating their own healthy food lifestyle. He’s the host of Chef Michael's Kitchen, Chef Abroad, Chef at Home and Chef at Large seen on Food Network Canada and in more than 100 other countries. Michael is Prince Edward Island’s honorary food ambassador, an award winning cookbook author, newspaper columnist, professional chef and home cook. At the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, he led the team of chefs that cooked for the worlds Olympians in the Whistler Athletes Village. His cookbooks are smash hits across Canada, and his latest from Penguin, Fast Flavours, hits the stands in September. His web video production company is breaking new ground online and his Twitter feed is Canada’s top choice for foodie fun.

Carl Heinrich was recently proclaimed the winner of Top Chef Canada, season 2. Originally from Sooke, B.C., Carl now lives in Toronto where he plans to open of his own restaurant this summer. Heinrich last worked as the executive chef of Marben restaurant in Toronto and has spoken about the benefits of farm-to-table and nose-to-tail cooking. He is inspired by ingredients and driven by French technique with an aim to make approachable but refined food.