You guys, The story I'm about to tell you still seems like a dream...
A few months ago while on the line with Weber ordering some parts they were curious about why I was ordering so many random bits and pieces and then asked if I would share some photos of my collection. I gladly sent them some photos and they eventually ended up on the Weber America Facebook page. (Cool!) Well apparently Weber CANADA was just about to launch here up north and got a hold of the pictures and slapped them on their site as well. I was thrilled just to have them posted and thought that was the end of it...
... boy was I wrong!! :)
About a month ago I got a phone call out of the blue from a fellow claiming to be the new SVP of Weber Canada Mr. Tony Ferraro!! He explained that they were launching here in Canada and as part of the media hype they were doing a "Canada's Biggest Weber Fan" promotion and that I had been selected!! As part of the prize he wanted me to have the very first (public) MasterTouch in Canada :o :o (PS - It should be here already - they are looking into it!) 8) So I was freaking out already and explaining how excited I was... then he says "And, we'd also like to take it a step further..." He then went on to tell me they wanted to fly me out to Toronto, put me up in a hotel and then the following morning I would be the very first person through the brand new Weber Grill Academy and have a 1-on-1 training session with their Grill Specialist Chef Mr Michael P Clive! I was shaking at this point and fumbled through the rest of the conversation somehow. ;D
Within 2 days the AMAZING team of people at Weber Canada got in touch and made all travel arrangements! They then asked if I would send in a little 30 sec cell video explaining why I love Weber Grills - I said sure! But before I had the chance to make the vid they called back and asked if I would consider allowing a photographer and video crew to my house in Vancouver and actually do a little interview! I was obviously thrilled about it all so sure enough we did the day long shoot at my place, then combined with all the footage from the Grill Academy they are making some little 1-2min media clips out of it all and posting it all up on their website!
The whole experience start to finish was insane and I'm so freaking lucky and thankful this all happened!
I hope you guys enjoy some behind the scene shots from Weber Canada HQ!
Some trip highlights:
- Chef Clive and I spent the day cooking a wide variety of items on both Charcoal (including a roti!) and Gas Weber Grills. It was unbelievable - and that man is a grilling king! We did steak and eggs, jumbo shrimp, mussels, chicken wings, butterflied roast pork on the roti, cuban sandwiches, melted onions, a few different rubs... it was fantastic!!
- Access to the not yet opened Grill Academy and AMAZING Weber showroom and Corporate Office! I even got a nametag numbered #001 ;)
- Was able to get my hands on the new MT and Performer and they are both AWESOME! You can see the MT if you look closely in the last teaser shot, it's of course black and beside the other black kettle with a rotisserie. The warming rack is a thing of beauty 8) The second this gem shows up you'll get a million photos :)
- I asked about the possibility of other colors coming this way and was told that Weber Canada hopes to slot themselves in somewhere between Weber USA and Weber Europe... So in my overly optimistic mind this means yes... eventually?!? I hope?!?
Here are a few teasers ;) but be sure to check out the Full Gallery link at the end
(http://www.fraservalleyweddingfestival.com/Weber/OCT14/teaser4.jpg)
(http://www.fraservalleyweddingfestival.com/Weber/OCT14/teaser8.jpg)
(http://www.fraservalleyweddingfestival.com/Weber/OCT14/teaser.jpg)
(http://www.fraservalleyweddingfestival.com/Weber/OCT14/teaser2.jpg)
(http://www.fraservalleyweddingfestival.com/Weber/OCT14/teaser9.jpg)
(http://www.fraservalleyweddingfestival.com/Weber/OCT14/teaser3.jpg)
(http://www.fraservalleyweddingfestival.com/Weber/OCT14/teaser5.jpg)
(http://www.fraservalleyweddingfestival.com/Weber/OCT14/teaser6.jpg)
(http://www.fraservalleyweddingfestival.com/Weber/OCT14/teaser7.jpg)
Complete in-depth photo gallery available here:
Weber Grill Academy Canada : Vaughan Ontario (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/kryptonik01/media/Weber%20Grill%20Academy%20Canada%20-%20Vaughan%20Ontario/DSC07352.jpg.html?sort=6&o=0)
Still pinching myself!!
Take care all,
Matt
PS
@Troy - Chef Clive would love some WKC stickers... think you can hook him up? 8)
Of all us Canadians on the board you deserved that the most in my opinion. Good on ya Matt.
OK, that's just...
I'm at a loss for words!
You MUST be stoked!
AMAZING!!!
Speechless!! What a great trip. That would be a total dream. Congrats!!!
Congrats 604! That is freakin awesome! Kettle karma at it's best!
Fing awesome!! Just fing awesome. Congrats!!!
Quote from: MrHoss on October 17, 2014, 01:20:45 PM
Of all us Canadians on the board you deserved that the most in my opinion. Good on ya Matt.
Thanks Mike! I took along a couple replacement vents and had Chef Clive and Weber Canada's head Honcho sign them just for fun ;) One's for you my friend!
(http://www.fraservalleyweddingfestival.com/Weber/OCT14/teaser10.jpg)
That is amazing!
Congratulations!
WOW that's about all I can say great story congratulations!
WOW - What a great story and photos - Freakin awesome
How did you keep this quiet and not tell anyone here where you were going ?
Congratulations # 001 ( formily known as #604 )
Amazing story 604. Thanks for sharing. That looks like the trip of a life-time.
BTW... Did you get a close look at those "flag-grills" in the background? Are they paint or porcelain?
Again, good work...
very cool!
Cool story! Sounded like lots of fun 604!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That's awesome...congratulations!!!
That's freakin AWSOME 604!
I say again... words cannot describe my feelings of admiration and awesomeness that is what happened to Matt! Congrats and can I come too?
I would like my next grill to be an American Flag Master Touch 8)
I want the '15 26"er! The wider lid bale alone excited me. And for some reason, the new wheels aren't bad either...
that is amazing 604, congrats dude.
Seriously awesome Matt! Seriously awsome!
Congratulations, Matt! Couldn't happen to a more deserving Fella! Karma, my friend... it's come around big time!
Didn't see the warming rack.... is it a new style? Also noticed that they have the "Aussie" style flat top gasser. I'm wondering if that is for sale in retail shops currently.
Major congratulations, 001! Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.
Way cool man! Congrats!
Wow. That is truly amazing. Congrats and good on ya. WOW!
Quote from: SixZeroFour on October 17, 2014, 01:15:48 PM
PS @Troy - Chef Clive would love some WKC stickers... think you can hook him up? 8)
Certainly!
Is he a member?
I assume it's now safe to blog about this now right?
Congratulations Matt. Unreal. Truly amazing. What a dream come true. You deserve it. I hope you can make a commercial or become a representative for Weber.
That is awesome, Matt! What a fantastic honour you received. :D
Quote from: MrHoss on October 17, 2014, 01:20:45 PM
Of all us Canadians on the board you deserved that the most in my opinion. Good on ya Matt.
I wholeheartedly agree with this.
Dude .. I am only about a half hour drive from there. It would have been cool to meet. Another time, eh?! :D ;) ;)
I will have to check out that place.
Awesome! Really cool story!!
That's awesome 604!. Did you see yourself on Twitter yet ?
https://twitter.com/webergrillsca/status/522709628912939008
and
https://twitter.com/webergrillsca/status/523124334412701697
This is too cool. Congrats Matt!!!!!!!
to say that I am envious, would be a gross understatement
Quote from: Dave O on October 17, 2014, 02:39:01 PM
WOW - What a great story and photos - Freakin awesome
How did you keep this quiet and not tell anyone here where you were going ?
Congratulations # 001 ( formily known as #604 )
The one thing they asked me was if I could please keep it under wraps until the event actually took place, which is completely understandable but very difficult at the same time. Obviously I was able to tell my family and thankfully it all happened so fast I didn't have too much time to overthink it ;)
Quote from: saxart on October 17, 2014, 03:00:25 PM
Amazing story 604. Thanks for sharing. That looks like the trip of a life-time.
BTW... Did you get a close look at those "flag-grills" in the background? Are they paint or porcelain?
Again, good work...
Thanks saxart, I did get an upclose look and until I lifted the lid I would have sworn they were porcelain enameled but they are in fact a Decal applied then I think clear coat over top. No heat for those two beauties!
Quote from: Troy on October 17, 2014, 08:34:00 PM
Certainly!
Is he a member?
I assume it's now safe to blog about this now right?
I don't believe he is a member but definitely knew about the site and knew right away what I was talking about when I said the "Kettle Club" ;) Hopefully he will sign up and say hi someday!
and yes - no worries about the blog!
Quote from: argentflame on October 17, 2014, 08:45:48 PM
Congratulations Matt. Unreal. Truly amazing. What a dream come true. You deserve it. I hope you can make a commercial or become a representative for Weber.
I can only dream! :D It seems like a fantastic company to work for and they sure made me feel at home! They all seem genuinely excited about what's to come for Weber here in Canada and acted more like a family than co-workers. Super cool group of people I hope to see again!
Quote from: MacEggs on October 17, 2014, 09:22:28 PM
That is awesome, Matt! What a fantastic honour you received. :D
Quote from: MrHoss on October 17, 2014, 01:20:45 PM
Of all us Canadians on the board you deserved that the most in my opinion. Good on ya Matt.
I wholeheartedly agree with this.
Dude .. I am only about a half hour drive from there. It would have been cool to meet. Another time, eh?! :D ;) ;)
I will have to check out that place.
Mark I wish I had more time as I would have LOVED to meet both you and Hoss... but I got there fairly late Wed Evening, was picked up at 9am at the hotel then had to make a bit of a dash to the airport straight from the grill academy! I have a bunch of family back east so I don't think it will be too long before I get out that way again!
Honestly, thank you all so much guys, you are all far too kind!!! We have such a cool hobby and group of people here at the club - this wouldn't be nearly as fun without friendly, like-minded folks to share the excitement with! 8)
Quote from: demosthenes9 on October 17, 2014, 09:37:41 PM
That's awesome 604!. Did you see yourself on Twitter yet ?
https://twitter.com/webergrillsca/status/522709628912939008
and
https://twitter.com/webergrillsca/status/523124334412701697
I did not! Thanks!
I need to climb out from under my rock and get back into facebook \ twitter \ instagram etc!
Wow.......
matt this is such a cool honor. you truly deserve it and i am very happy that you were given this experience. it's truly a life experience you will never forget.
it has to feel incredible to be chosen by a company whose product you admire so much.
kudos man!
Congrats 604! I'm speechless. what an honor.
Quote from: Dave O on October 17, 2014, 02:39:01 PM
Congratulations # 001 ( formily known as #604 )
That's it!! You need to change your screen name! I don't know what's behind your current name but that would cool.
Man, this whole experience is so awesome I can't even believe it. You deserve it too!
"Canada's Biggest Weber Fan"
This is the thing right here.......
The award DID NOT go to somebody with a gasser................. 8)
Tremendous Deal !!!!!
Quote from: 1buckie on October 18, 2014, 07:36:56 AM
The award DID NOT go to somebody with a gasser................. 8)
Amen.
Quote from: Bob BQ on October 17, 2014, 07:38:18 PM
Congratulations, Matt! Couldn't happen to a more deserving Fella! Karma, my friend... it's come around big time!
Didn't see the warming rack.... is it a new style? Also noticed that they have the "Aussie" style flat top gasser. I'm wondering if that is for sale in retail shops currently.
Cheers Bob!
The warming rack appeared identical in shape to the original but I swear it was a heavier gauge and of course had a
super glossy shine to it all! I was a bit caught up in the moment and could easily be mistaken ;)
As for the Summit Flattop - that's a vintage unit as well that a friend of the company donated to the kitchen. They were definitely sold in Canada and Australia but have never seen confirmation of them being sold in the US.
Quote from: GregS on October 18, 2014, 05:29:39 AM
matt this is such a cool honor. you truly deserve it and i am very happy that you were given this experience. it's truly a life experience you will never forget.
it has to feel incredible to be chosen by a company whose product you admire so much.
kudos man!
Thanks Greg, it really is an honor for me and I'm humbled by being chosen! It was so much fun!
I also think it's pretty darn cool that Weber acknowledges the loyal following they have! :)
Quote from: 1buckie on October 18, 2014, 07:36:56 AM
"Canada's Biggest Weber Fan"
This is the thing right here.......
The award DID NOT go to somebody with a gasser................. 8)
Tremendous Deal !!!!!
Now, now, I can't let that stand. In defense of those of us that also have gassers, it should be noted that 604 has at least one as well :-)
Yeah, but it seems obvious he didn't get made on the weight of his gas.......it was that wide angle kettle shot & a good attitude......
Quote from: demosthenes9 on October 18, 2014, 09:27:27 AM
Now, now, I can't let that stand. In defense of those of us that also have gassers, it should be noted that 604 has at least one as well :-)
I have 2! Just posted them up in the "post your gasser thread" ;)
But yes, the charcoal grills were the focus for sure 8)
Very cool Matt, congrats! Now about the warming rack......
Great story. Incredible experience!
Wow! Just AWESOME! I love that WKC is represented so beautifully, character, respect, humbleness . I love it.
Very cool story, and a very nice honor.
Congratulations!
This is truly an amazing story! Good for you man.
I don't check in for a couple days and this is what happens. Saaawwwweeeetttt!
Wow, your trip sounds amazing! I'm also ridiculously excited that there's a Weber Grill Academy in Canada!
Quote from: SixZeroFour on October 17, 2014, 01:28:11 PM
Quote from: MrHoss on October 17, 2014, 01:20:45 PM
Of all us Canadians on the board you deserved that the most in my opinion. Good on ya Matt.
Thanks Mike! I took along a couple replacement vents and had Chef Clive and Weber Canada's head Honcho sign them just for fun ;) One's for you my friend!
Very kind of you Matt. I appreciate that. I have thoughts for how I am going to display that piece that should look good.
Very cool Matt!!! What an honor!!
epic story
keep us in the loop
Amazing story. I would love to see more pics of your Webers. Congrats.
Sorry so late. Great story Matt, what a tremendous honor!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk