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 is, our people, are treated. I hope you all enjoy the show.

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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 the amazing vineyards and rolling hills of the South Okanagan. Take a listen, Jeff has very deep roots here in Vancouver and his perspective is unique and very much earned. I hope you like it. 

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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 just make thing happen. A real story of grit and determination. I hope you enjoy.

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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 career, it came from her love of southern food and wanting the perfect surprisingly delicious bit of food. I hope you enjoy todays podcast, please feel free to leave comments @cookscamp on instagram 

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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 a small independent restaurant or a hotel. The world is your oyster and YOU define what that means.

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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. 

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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.

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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. 

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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/

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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. 

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