Collage of people fishing with EW Outdoors logo, showcasing various fish catches and a chef preparing food.

OUR STORY

Cousins Dan hookset Martins and Luis topdog Pereira grew up fishing together. Often “borrowing” Luis’ dads Lund, their passion for fishing continued into adulthood. Chris Showtime Johnston met Topdog in college. They scraped by getting their diplomas but they certainly got their degree in catching bass. Antonio smash meleca came into the picture when hookset and topdog began their culinary adventure in the pizza business. Once they all realized their same passion for the outdoors, the quatro skins was created. Now the boys share their stories of big catches, big mishaps, and some darn good eating. Fish on!

Man wearing orange jacket and camouflage pants holding a pheasant and a shotgun in a grassy field with trees in the background.
Chef plating a dish in a kitchen, with a photographer capturing the process.
Man in camouflage holding a large fish he caught, outdoors near a body of water with trees in the background.
Man in an ice fishing shelter holding a fish, smiling, with gear and supplies around him on the snow-covered ground.
Man holding a large muskie fish on a boat in a lake.
Chef in white coat smiling in a commercial kitchen with ingredients on a counter, including vegetables, olive oil, and sauces.
Group of four men in camouflage gear outdoors, holding rifles, with a rainbow in the background.
Three men posing with large fish, wearing baseball caps and sunglasses, on a boat.
Two hunters wearing orange gear and camouflage pants stand in a field. One is aiming a shotgun, while the other stands beside a brown hunting dog. The background features a forest and overcast sky.
Person holding a large fish on a boat in a lake, wearing sunglasses, a red cap, and a brown shirt.
Three men wearing orange hunting gear standing behind a table with a row of hunted pheasants.
Three men on a boat holding a large fish, smiling and wearing jackets, with water and a clear sky background.
Two men on a boat holding a fish, both wearing hats and sunglasses, with a lake and sky in the background.
Two men on a boat holding a large fish while smiling, with trees and a lake in the background.
Person holding a large muskie fish on a boat with water in the background.
Man holding a fish on a boat, wearing a green hoodie and a cap, smiling.
Man in camouflage jacket wearing black beanie and sunglasses, holding a large bird of prey in an outdoor setting with autumn leaves.
Person in camouflage clothing holding a crossbow inside a hunting blind, outdoors with trees in the background.
Person holding a large muskie fish on a boat in open water.
Person drinking beer at a bar while wearing a gray cap
Man holding large fish on a boat
Person holding two fish on a boat with water in the background.
Person in outdoor clothing aiming a rifle during target practice on a wooden deck, with trees and a lake in the background.
Person in camouflage gear holding a rifle in a grassy field, with autumn trees in the background.
People walking on a forest path during autumn, with trees displaying fall foliage in yellow, red, and orange hues.
Man holding a large fish on a boat with water and blue sky in the background.
Person holding a large fish next to a body of water, wearing a blue shirt and a cap with sunglasses.
Man holding large fish on a boat
Person holding a large fish, wearing a black hoodie and cap.
Three hunters in camouflage clothing smiling and holding large birds outside a building.
Person in camouflage gear shooting target near lake with kayak and rainbow in background.
Four people in camouflage hunting attire smiling, with a shotgun, standing outdoors under a rainbow.
Person holding a large fish on a boat, with fishing equipment and another boat in the background on a cloudy day.
Person holding pheasant feathers outdoors, wearing bright orange beanie and hoodie
Group of people in winter clothing on a frozen lake with an off-road vehicle.
Man holding a large fish on a boat in a lake.
Man in white camouflage jacket and black sunglasses holding a large fish on a boat, with water and sky in the background.
A man smiling on a boat holding up a large fish he caught, with water and trees in the background.
A man on a boat holding a large fish with water and boats in the background.
Man holding a large fish on a boat, with fishing gear and a calm body of water in the background.
A man with a beard wearing a cowboy hat and a jacket in a hat store. Shelves behind him display various hats.
A man with a beard and mustache wearing a black baseball cap and an olive green hoodie, holding a sign at the Toronto Sportsmen's Show.
Two men smiling on a boat, one holding a large fish, under a clear blue sky.
Two men on a boat, one holding a fish and smiling, the other looking away, with water and sky in the background.
Two men on a boat holding a large fish, smiling. One man is standing behind, the other kneeling, with arms outstretched. The background shows water, trees, and houses under a cloudy sky.
Man wearing sunglasses, a beanie, and a waterproof jacket, holding a large fish on a boat with a lake and houses in the background.
A man on a boat holding a large fish, smiling, wearing a black beanie, sunglasses, a black and red jacket, and gray fishing pants, with a snowy landscape and trees in the background.
Man in camo jacket and black beanie holding a large rainbow trout on a boat with trees and water in the background.
Man holding a large fish on a boat with water and trees in the background.
A man in a black jacket and white hood holding a large brown fish on a boat with a lake and trees in the background.
A chef in a white coat garnishes a dish with herbs in a professional kitchen.
A chef in a white uniform preparing food while being photographed or filmed in a commercial kitchen.
Person in dark jacket and hat holding a large spotted fish on a boat.
Smiling man wearing sunglasses and a fishing jersey holding a large fish on a boat, with water and cloudy sky in the background.
A man wearing sunglasses and a black hoodie with 'Quantum' written on it, holding a large fish, standing on a boat with a lake and forested shoreline in the background.
Two men in camouflage and outdoor clothing on a boat, one holding a large fish, with trees and water in the background.
Man in camouflage clothing holding a large fish on a boat, with water and cloudy sky in background.
Man on a boat holding a large fish, wearing sunglasses, a hoodie, and a jacket, with the ocean and sky in the background.
Man holding a large fish on a boat with water and trees in the background.
Man on a boat holding a large fish, wearing an orange jacket with sponsor logos, sunglasses, and a cap, making a rock on hand gesture with a blue sky in the background.
Two men on a boat holding a large fish, one wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses, smiling. The other man is wearing a cap and an orange jacket, making a hand gesture.
Man in camouflage jacket, sunglasses, and a cap holding a large fish on a boat with water and wind turbines in the background.
Man wearing sunglasses and a baseball cap, holding a largemouth bass fish outdoors near a body of water with trees in the background.
Three smiling men dressed in camouflage gear, sitting in a small hunting boat with a green tarp, taking a selfie outdoors during daylight.
A man standing on a boat holding a large fish he caught, with a background of a body of water and trees with fall foliage, wearing a gray hoodie and a baseball cap.
A man smiling and holding a large fish he caught, with a lake and fall-colored trees in the background.
Chef smiling and holding a large salad with greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, nuts, and other vegetables in a commercial kitchen.
Three men dressed in orange hunting gear butchering and preparing a variety of game birds and animals on a metal table outdoors.
Two men on a boat holding a large fish, smiling at the camera, with water and trees in the background on a sunny day.
Two men on a boat holding a large bass fish, smiling and posing for the camera, with water and trees in the background.
Man smiling on a boat holding a largemouth bass, wearing sunglasses, a cap, and a light blue shirt with an Under Armour logo, other people fishing in the background.
Chef adding toppings to a large salad in a commercial kitchen while being filmed by a photographer.
Man wearing sunglasses and a cap holding a fish on a boat on a lake under a clear blue sky.
Man on a boat holding a large fish with an open mouth, smiling.
Chef garnishing a dish with nuts in a professional kitchen while being filmed by a camera.

Antonio “Smash” Meleca

President/ Executive Chef Gourmet Craft & Catering

Antonio “Smash” Meleca is an award-winning Canadian chef who combines his culinary expertise with a deep Description text goes heredeep passion for the outdoors. Known for his love of fishing, hunting, and the wild, Antonio has made a name for himself both in the kitchen and on the water. In 2009, Antonio founded Gourmet Craft & Catering with the vision of becoming Toronto’s leading film and television caterer. His innovative approach quickly gained the trust of casts and crews, earning a reputation for excellence. Antonio’s journey continued in 2022 as the host of Celebrity Fish N Fire, where he blends his culinary skills with his love for fishing and hunting. The show brings together unforgettable adventures with celebrity guests, whether on the open water, in the woods, or cooking for the guys at the hunt camp. Antonio's passion for the outdoors and commitment to top-quality cuisine shine brightly through every adventure.

Person holding a large fish on a boat in a lake.

Chris “Showtime” Johnston

Chris Johnston, known as “CJ,” is a cohost of the Eating Wild podcast, blending decades of consumer packaged goods sales experience with a deep passion for the outdoors. He brings a practical, strategic perspective to conversations around food, lifestyle, and wild harvest.

Outside of work, CJ is almost always in the field or on the water. He’s an avid angler who fishes for anything that swims and a dedicated hunter with a strong passion for waterfowl. A self-proclaimed fishing and hunting technical gear junkie, CJ is always exploring the latest gear and techniques. Through every season: from ice fishing in winter to skiing and snowboarding, his year-round outdoor lifestyle makes him a natural voice on Eating Wild.

Man holding a largemouth bass on a boat in a lake, wearing sunglasses and a hoodie.

Luis “TopDog” Pereira

Luis “TopDog” Pereira lives at the intersection of grit, curiosity, and the wild. He’s a contractor by nature, but the woods and the water are where he feels most at home. An avid hunter and fisherman, Luis believes the outdoors sharpens instincts you can’t learn anywhere else: patience, awareness, respect for the process, and knowing when to act.

For him, entrepreneurship doesn’t stop when the hunting boots go on, it comes alive out there. The same mindset that helps him spot opportunity in business helps him read the land, adapt to changing conditions, and stay focused on the long game. Whether he’s chasing his next big fish or his next big idea, Luis brings intention, passion, and a deep appreciation for living close to the source.

Man holding a large fish on a boat, with a lake in the background.

Daniel “Hookset” Martins

Daniel “Hookset” Martins is an entrepreneur, chef, and devoted outdoorsman whose life is deeply rooted in fishing, hunting, and storytelling. With years of experience as a successful restaurant owner, Daniel has shifted his focus from the kitchen to the microphone, sharing captivating tales of his adventures, life lessons, and his love for the natural world. Renowned for his skills both on the water and in the kitchen, Daniel combines his passion for the outdoors with a flair for creating meals inspired by his adventures. Whether reeling in trophy catches or preparing wild game feasts, he approaches each endeavour with unwavering dedication, a deep respect for nature, and a steadfast commitment to conservation and sustainability. Through his entrepreneurial drive and gift for storytelling, Daniel motivates others to follow their passions, forge connections with the outdoors, and cherish the stories that define our journeys.