COOKSCAMP – the Mise-en-Place Podcast

On todays podcast I am very happy to chat with Brandon Grossutti of Pidgin Restaurant in Vancouver. A Vancouver native, Brandon's unique story of a real BC man, has taken him from fishing boats in the Haida Gwaii to owning an incredible popular upscale ding restaurant in Gastown. His lived perspective as small restaurant owner in the heart of the chaos of the DTES give Brandon a hard knox perspective of the restaurant business. His love of hospitality, his team and his Read More ...

The 20 somethings who come to the hospitality industry want and need different things than we had, to be fulfilled in their careers. The pontificating from old Chefs and Managers about how hard they had it in their day, means absolutely nothing to this younger generation. They will not tolerate a toxic work environment, shitty pay and no future. They do want to work hard and learn, they want to find balance with their work and personal lives but are willing to Read More ...

On this weeks Podcast we have Mary Mackay, VP of Innovation and Product, and also co owner of Terra breads here in Vancouver. I first met Mary about 15 years ago when I started volunteering for the Chefs' Table Society of BC. She was the one that held the CTS together and to account in those early days for me. Mary has been a part of the restaurant and hospitality scene here in Vancouver for over 30 years. Her Bakery,  Terra breads,  Read More ...

On this weeks episode we have the Owner, Tim Lahay and Executive Chef of the Barley Merchant. A good sized restaurant in Langley that specializes in local food made from scratch and amazing local beer. From the inception of the Barley Merchant to today, these two forward thinking hospitality vets decided to do run things a bit different. They have changed the game on how things are done and are continuing to rethink how restaurants are operated and how our greatest resource Read More ...

On this weeks episode, I was lucky to be able to catch Jeff Van Geest in Vancouver and had him over to our podcast studio. I have known Jeff almost as long as I have been in Vancouver so it was really great to catch up and discuss the business on hospitality from one old Chef to another. Jeff is the owner and Executive Chef at Miradoro Restaurant down in Oliver BC. Set in the heart of wine country, the restaurant overlooks Read More ...

On this weeks episode, that we recorded earlier this year, are to young entrepreneurs with roots in Vancouver but now call Toronto home. The Chef Linda Jong and Gene Carpenter are the masterminds behind Fattoush Sandwich Club and Elsie's Coffee/ Record Shop. Both small and very unique spots that give a lot of interesting flavour and vibe to their respective neighbourhoods. Listen to them both tell the stories of opening small independent shops with out a lot of support and learning to Read More ...

So happy t have on todays guest. Dez Lo is a Chef who has made Vancouver her home for the last 15 years. Born in Hong Kong and gaining her culinary chops in New York City, she came to Vancouver to start a new life and hasn't looked back. She went on to conquer, or almost conquer Top Chef Canada, and is now onto to her newest venture as an entrepreneur. Dez has been developing a cheese biscuit for most of her Read More ...

This weeks podcast is a day late but good things come to those who wait. We have Executive Chef and owner of Vancouver Private Dining and Sunshine Coast Catering, Evan Elman. It was great hearing his inspirational and entrepreneurial story of taking the big leap into beginning a business and being the driving force behind it. I love getting to know these young business people who carve out their own path in hospitality. You don't just have to grind it out in Read More ...

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 Read More ...