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After a difficult battle with cancer, the founder of Gorilla Cheese has died

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A leading force in Hamilton’s food truck scene has died after a difficult battle with cancer.

Graeme Smith founded Gorilla Cheese and his delicious grilled cheese sandwiches enjoyed a huge following, inspiring chefs across the city.

A loving tribute was put on Facebook by his partner Andi who said, “Greame loved making food and he loved making people happy. His pride was deeply rooted in every single sandwich he made and his joy was in your joy.”

Smith was diagnosed with a tumor in the back of his tongue in 2017 and after 35 radiation treatments and six bouts of chemotherapy, he returned to work at Gorilla Cheese in 2018. However, the cancer returned in December 2020.

He launched the Gorilla Cheese food truck at Hamilton City Hall in 2011 and operated a storefront on Ottawa St. for three years, ending in 2018. The business was featured on the show Eat Street and on the show Dragon’s Den.

Smith is credited by many with pioneering the food truck scene in Hamilton.
Fellow chef Jonny Blonde says he was a good friend and mentor to him, helping him learn the food truck business.
Salar Madadi was another friend of Smith’s from the food truck scene and says his advocacy for the food truck industry made it possible for the rest of Hamilton’s food trucks to operate.

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