These days, when he’s not creating in the kitchen, the celebrity chef, who lives in Richmond Hill, Ont., enjoys riding his Cervélo road bike around the historic Mill Pond neighbourhood. He also takes longer rides into King City. While Aprile usually rides alone, he recently took up mountain biking to spend more time with his 13-year-old son Aiden. Together, the pair explores the trails in Albion Hills and Caledon. Like cooking, cycling for Aprile is highly addictive. The hobby provides an escape from everyday life. “Riding for me is not about the final destination,” he concluded. “In many ways, it’s about the journey. The ride itself is the destination.”

Serves 2

Ingredients 2 cups organic frozen blueberries 1 frozen banana ¼ cup organic oats 2.5 cups water

THE SCENE THE GUEST CHEF 1 cup organic spinach 1 tbsp organic chia seeds 1 tbsp spirulina

Directions 1. Add all ingredients into a blender. Blend until smooth.

2. Add extra water if the smoothie is too thick. Photo: Courtesy CTV

MasterChef Claudio Aprile’s 50-km Smoothie

by David McPherson

hen Claudio Aprile and I connected last fall, he was taking a break from Nutritional Information Whis two-wheeler. The kitchen boss did not want to risk an injury before filming wrapped up for the third season of MasterChef Canada, now running on For one serving

CTV. Aprile is one of the show’s three judges, alongside Michael Bonacini and Calories 222 Alvin Leung. Carbs 44 g “I really enjoy it,” the chef said, when asked about his TV gig. “It’s something I didn’t know I could do, or thought I Fat 3.3 g

“The hobby wanted to do, but I love every minute Fibre 11.5g of it. It’s a very rewarding experi- Protein 7.4 g provides an ence, especially when you have these escape from home cooks that aspire to what we have – they want to be chefs – and in everyday life.” our own small ways we are helping them realize those dreams.” Born in Uruguay, Aprile moved to Canada when he was four years old. After watching and helping his grandmother in the kitchen, he announced his dream early on. “When I was five, I told my mother I would become a chef one day,” Aprile recalled. “She still remembers the day I said that to her. I don’t know how that happened, but cooking is something I have always looked forward to doing. I always get excited when I’m in the kitchen.”

32 Canadian Cycling April & May 2016