When world leaders gathered in Kananaskis, Alberta for the G7 Summit on June 16-17, our very own Graham Sherman was there, chosen to represent Canada for what he does best — world championship BBQ.
Calling it one of his most surreal experiences, Graham — the co-founder of Tool Shed Brewing Company — found himself in the extraordinary position of smoking and serving brisket for the presidents and prime ministers of some of the world’s most powerful countries.
“Never in a lifetime did I think this would be a possibility,” Graham said, especially coming off a pandemic where he was on the brink of bankruptcy facing financial ruin and a hostile takeover attempt. “We got chosen by our country to show off Canada to the world. I’m not sure if there is a bigger honour on Earth.”
Graham’s entrepreneurial story is a testament to perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds, navigating one crisis after another and crediting creative thinking and resiliency for his success.
“You never know what life has in store for you,” Graham said, reflecting on his journey from near bankruptcy to the G7. “We all go through these insane crazy hardships. For me, I was struggling with my business, I might lose everything, and at the time I thought my whole life was defined by that moment. It’s only when you can get through it that you can appreciate that there is so much more on the next side. The G7 was an amazing life lesson.”
Journey to the G7
Landing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was a culmination of all of Graham’s life experiences — they all happened to knit together to make him the stand-out candidate for the job. Prior to becoming a brewmaster, Graham worked on contracts for the Canadian and US governments and military forces, installing encrypted, tactical communication networks, for which he had to maintain a high clearance level.
Fast forward to being the co-founder and owner of Tool Shed, this clearance level opened up the opportunity for Graham to cater the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference, where he met both the Governor General and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The Prime Minister than came to Tool Shed to enjoy some BBQ and brews, which involved all sorts of background checks and safety protocols. This made him experienced in cooking for and serving government leaders.
The other half of the equation was the location itself. Graham called the Kananaskis Country Golf Course, “their greatest ally in the beer world.” They sell more Tool Shed beer than any other retailer, with Graham hosting an annual kick-off BBQ for the whole team of 250 every year.
When Global Affairs Canada picked the Kananaskis Village area as their venue, they asked Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge and the golf course for catering recommendations. They were looking for a meal that was less formal with more of a family feel and the general manager said they know just the guy. This, combined with Graham’s background and experience serving the Prime Minister, made him the successful candidate.
“It was too good to be true,” Graham said. “All of my past experiences led up to this. I was exactly what they were looking for.”
The Ultimate Challenge
The event required military precision and presented logistical challenges unlike anything Graham had experienced before. He partnered with the Kananaskis Mountain Lodge to set up five BBQ stations throughout the courtyard, each featuring different specialties, from brisket to pork ribs, maple chipotle salmon to a vegetarian station. The security protocols were intense, which made timing almost impossible.
“I wasn’t allowed to bring BBQs into the place until 30 minutes before I could serve. I told them it took an hour to heat the BBQs, and they said I just had to figure it out,” Graham said. While the math didn’t add up, he made it work.
Serving 350 people across multiple stations, Graham was bouncing around each location like a ping pong, refilling ribs, salmon, and other dishes as needed. “I barely remember any of it. It’s just a blur of me running around like a lunatic,” he said. It was just him and his son, a fellow chef, running the show, as he was unable to bring his team with him.
The coolest moment came after pulling two all-nighters in preparation for the event. It was 4am, and he and his son were about to taste test his ribs for a bit of quality control, when a gentleman came up to them. He said, “please let me try those ribs, I’ve been smelling this BBQ for three days.” He was part of the secret service, and together they taste tested the goods ahead of the event. It was an out-of-this-world experience, Graham said, made even more memorable as he shared it with his son.
The brisket proved to be the star of the show, with Secret Service agents awarding him challenge coins and calling it the best brisket they’d ever had. A member of the President of France’s team gave him a business card, inviting him to cook in France.
It was Graham’s son who managed to capture the magnitude of the moment, saying that out of everyone, “we’re the ones our country chose to show off to the world leaders.” It was an amazing thing as a dad to hear, Graham said.
From the World Stage to Your Stage
From his backyard tool shed to serving world leaders, Graham’s story proves that with resilience, community support, and a willingness to embrace unexpected opportunities, there truly is no limit to what’s possible in the entrepreneurial journey.
On stage, Graham shares his extraordinary story, inspiring audiences with lessons on disruptive thinking and the power of collaboration. His high-energy presentations demonstrate how creative problem-solving and genuine relationships can transform challenges into once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.
Contact us to learn more about Graham and what he can bring to your next event.