CTS News

In this weeks episode we have restaurateurs Nathan and Akin Lowey. The husband and wife duo of the Hokkaido style restaurant on Powell St called Dosanko. They talk about the struggles and triumphs of owning a small family run place on the east side of Vancouver. From Nathans beginning, growing up and starting his cooking career on the prairies. For Akiyo, making her way to Canada to find meaning and new adventures and how they both came together and built a life together. Now it's kids, business and the most amazing Cheese Crusted Oyako Sandwich. I hope you enjoy their humble stories and it's a good time to think about going down to Dosanko and enjoying what they do best.

Today we had the opportunity to chat with with none other than my old friend Mijune Pak. Her amazing story of carving out a career in hospitality is pretty amazing. From her humble beginnings to eating across France and Portugal at 3 Michelin starred restaurants. Her love of great food in infectious and her love of the Chefs, Managers, Waiters and Sommeliers runs very deep as well. I hope you enjoy this conversation.

This week we have an amazing duo joining us on the podcast. Pastry Chef Celeste Mah and Chef Ross Larkin of Portage, of a fairly new restaurant in St. Johns Newfoundland. Celeste an East Van native and Ross a traveler from St. Johns met here in Vancouver cooking at Chambar. Their love of food and for each other took them both back to Newfoundland to work with an old friend Jeremy Charles at the now closed Raymonds restaurant. They opened Portage in the summer of 2022 and are now the boss or bosses. Celeste and Ross were in Vancouver hosting a dinner with the folks at L' Abattoir Restaurant in Gastown and between that and visiting family they took some time to come down for a chat.

The not for profit organization Go2HR help the hospitality and tourism industry in BC. Their  many mandates cover things from HR to training to research and strategy, and mental health and safety of individuals. The amazing part is that it a free resource for anyone in the business. Today we speak particullay about occupation mental health and safety with Valerie Lister and Erin O'Byrne. Both highly accredited professionals in this space who are trying to change the culture and stigma of mental health challenges within businesses and organizations in the hospitality space. Listen as we chat about the resources available and how there really is no reason any longer to not set up a mental health safety plan at your establishment.  Please check out https://www.go2hr.ca/

This weeks episode has a very special guest. Executive Chef Ashley Kurtz, of St Lawerence. With dreams of professional hockey and then the reality of life, his path changed gears and cooking became his life's passion. He has grown his career experience in small independent restaurants, in Canada and in Europe. Eventually being tapped by renowned BC Chef JC Poirier to help open his ode to French Cuisine St Lawerence. He is now a business partner of JC's and they work together to bring some of the best food in Vancouver to their guests.

Very excited to have on one of Canada's Best Chefs on the Podcast this week. Executive Chef Ron McKinlay of Canoe Restaurant in Toronto speaks of his time in Europe refining his skill set in fine dining kitchens in Scotland, and the realities of cooking at a high level. BC born and raised, Ron first love was the rugby pitch and that is what set him on his world travels. Once fine dining became his future he never looked back. His love of Canadian ingredients, classic French technique and the backing of his team at Canoe has allowed him to push boundaries and put out some the most interesting food in Canada. Take a listen as always, let us know what you think.

Hospitality is at the core of what our industry is all about, we make people feel welcome and help customers enjoy themselves. This happens all over the world and happens in the classiest of places to the darkest dive bars. These fundamentals while sometimes common sense, are still needed to be taught to your staff so everyone is bringing that same level of service and hospitality to their respective operations. Nick of Boxset Collective and Chris of Nightengale/ Hawksworth exemplify those great fundamentals and have the ability to teach them to anyone willing to learn. Hospitality is what truly brings people back to your establishment, food and drink are important, but if you can make a guest feel special, they are yours for life. Take a listen, I hope you learn something, and please, let us know what you think.