Meet The Chef

I started out in the food and beverage industry at the young age of 14, as a dishwasher and prep cook out on Canada’s west coast.   I soon realize that I wanted to build a career in the industry.  I returned to my home town of Toronto to complete my education at George Brown Culinary Institute.  

Upon completion of schooling I worked for the Oliver Bonacini group in Toronto, spending 4 years within their restaurants.  Recruited  by Coast Hotels and Resorts, I headed back out west ending up in Nanaimo for a period of 6 years, where we lead a great culinary team in a five star restaurant.  In 2009 I then traveled to Victoria, BC where I lead a culinary team at Pescatores, arguably the city’s most prestigious seafood restaurant. 

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In 2020, after 27 years in restaurants, hotels and resorts, I launched Chefs Course, Vancouver Islands in house private Chef experience.  I continuously draw inspiration from all around.  October 2022 lead me back to Paris, France where I spent some time at Le Cordon Bleu, a prestigious culinary school, fine tunning some learnt skills.  From independent restaurants to large resorts and new restaurant launches, I bring over 25 years of culinary experience.

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Other then the obvious passion for cooking and creating, I try to instill a love of family, tradition and the outdoors into food preparations.

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       "I've been having an affair with food for a long time now...Bringing friends and family together through expression is one of the greatest joys.  Food is the one element that allows us to connect regardless of difference...."
                     

                Luke Griffin​