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Chefs For the Pier – Sept 12

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Chefs For the Pier – Sept 12

Name: Chefs For the Pier – Sept 12
Start: 2019-09-12T18:00:00-07:00
End: 2019-09-12T21:00:00-07:00
Location: Oceana Parc

September 12, 2019 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

« TD Concert for the Pier – August 15
Limited Edition Prints of the White Rock Pier »

Join incredible local chefs as they celebrate the tastes of the Semiahmoo Peninsula and raise funds to help rebuild our iconic White Rock Pier.

Chefs for the Pier is a special evening of small plates and great tastes. If you have an appetite for good food, fine wine and community spirit don’t miss this one-of-a-kind fundraising evening at Oceana PARC.

Participating chefs include:

Chef Vikram VijMy Shanti

Chef Vikram Vij, My Shanti

Vikram Vij was born in India in 1964 and lived in New Delhi and Bombay until the age of 20, when he went to study, live and work in Austria. While he was there he received his chef certificate from the Salzburg Hotel Management School. Vikram moved to Canada in 1989 to work at the Banff Springs Hotel in Alberta. Vikram became a certified sommelier from the International Sommelier Guild in 2000, and is passionate about pairing wines with his cuisine.

Chef Matthew StoweJoey Restaurant Group

Chef Matthew Stowe, Joey Restaurant Group

Matthew fell in love with cooking during a chef training program at his local high school. His professional career began at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. He was only 16 years old and the youngest employee the hotel had ever hired in their rich history. He then continued this passion by attending New York’s prestigious Culinary Institute of America in 2001. After graduating with honors, Matthew further honed his craft at famed NYC French restaurant, Lutèce. When he decided to move back to British Columbia he became the Executive Chef of Sonora Resort, where he played an integral role in achieving the coveted Relais & Châteaux designation – awarded to the world’s most prestigious hotels and restaurants. It was there that Matthew also wrote an award winning cookbook, The Tastes of Sonora Resort, which highlighted his signature dishes from his time at the coastal resort.

In 2010, he joined Cactus Club Cafe as product development chef, focusing on menu design for the casual fine dining chain. During this time, Matthew competed on the Food Network’s Top Chef Canada, defeating 15 competitors from across the country to win the coveted title. Not only did Chef Stowe win the title he also holds the record for most episode wins by any competitor in the shows history.

Matthew recently joined the JOEY Restaurant Group as its Executive Director of Culinary. He will be focused on continuing to refine the menu and guest experience across the organization’s 3 brands (JOEY, LOCAL and Saltlik.) He will also help lead the organization with their aggressive growth plan across North America.

With an impressive list of guest chef appearances, National brand ambassador partnerships and his appearances as a guest judge on Top Chef Canada Matthew is one of Canada’s most recognized chefs.

He lives in Cloverdale, British Columbia with his wife, and two sons.

Chief Harley ChappellSemiahmoo First Nation

Chief Harley Chappell, Semiahmoo First Nation

Bio coming soon!

Chef Shaughn HallsOceana PARC

Chef Shaughn Halls, Oceana PARC

Shaughn has been in the culinary industry for the last 24 years. He spent three years as Executive Chef at downtown hotspot Italian Kitchen, as well as several years running the kitchen in a senior living community – a role he found deeply rewarding. Building connections with residents and helping them achieve their food goals were personal highlights.

Shaughn looks forward to enthusing the residents at Oceana PARC with his passion for food and cooking and helping them put the private dining room to good use for social activities of their own.

Outside of work, Shaughn enjoys spending time with his children, gardening, photography and, of course, cooking for family and friends!

Chef Jan WaitJan’s on the Beach

Chef Jan Wait, Jan’s on the Beach

After 20 years in Real Estate, Jan turned her passion for cooking into a new career.

Jan followed her passion and graduated from Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts on Granville Island in 2006. After finishing her training, she started “Jan’s Gourmet”—her own catering business based in Delta, while apprenticing under John Garrett at Horizons Restaurant on Burnaby Mountain, and attaining her Red Seal.

Looking to expand her catering business, Jan and her family found a cute little place with a great view on Marine Drive in White Rock, and Jan’s on the Beach Restaurant was launched.

Jan’s on the Beach has been open now for 7 years – A family run restaurant offering fresh and unique dishes of “seafood and more” utilizing fresh local produce. Jan’s also features many gluten free dishes.

In 2017, Jan was awarded Business Person of the Year in the self-owned category by the South Surrey and White Rock Chamber of Commerce.

Chef Kayla DhaliwallGlass House Estate Winery, JRG

Chef Kayla Dhaliwall, Glass House Estate Winery, JRG

Bio coming soon!

Chef Jennie SilkUli’s Restaurant

Chef Jennie Silk, Uli’s Restaurant

Jennie Silk has been spent over 30 years in hospitality. Her love of good, honestly grown and prepared food is over shadowed only by her desire to share it with others.

Chef Josiah TamBarrique Kitchen & Wine Bar

Chef Josiah Tam, Barrique Kitchen & Wine Bar

Josiah was born and raised in the Lower Mainland. His culinary career started as a dishwasher in White Rock were he quickly moved up the line into cook positions. Feeling the need for further education and experience, Josiah moved to London, UK to attend the Le Cordon Bleu cooking school. During his time in Europe, Josiah was trained in classic French cuisine and also took time to travel and experience food and culture.

Upon returning to Canada, Josiah was hired as a Sous Chef at Pearl in White Rock where he was quickly promoted to Head Chef. Following Pearl, he co-operated a catering company and was also hired onto the opening team of The Nest at UBC, a large scale F&B operation that was opened in 2015.

In 2017, Josiah began planning the launch of Barrique Kitchen & Wine Bar. Barrique opened on February 1, 2018 at the heart of Five Corners in White Rock. Barrique is an upscale casual, French inspired Bistro and Wine Bar serving everything from a burger to a nightly tasting menu.

Chef Brian ChoSapporo Kitchen

Chef Brian Cho, Sapporo Kitchen

Brian Cho’s culinary career began at an early age of 20 in 1996 when learning to become a sushi chef under his father. He quickly gained expertise and knowledge through hours of dedication. Chef Cho then moved onto opening his first Japanese fusion restaurant in Langley, which later led to his creation of Mega Sushi in Coquitlam and Richmond. Now he does what he does best at the two Sapporo Kitchen locations in South Surrey and Ladner. He believes in cooking as if you are your family and he values locally sourced ingredients and supporting the community. His spirit echos in the community and for that, Sapporo Kitchen is loved by fellow neighbours. Cho continues to teach and effect the lives of passionate professionals as the executive chef at Sapporo Kitchen in both Delta and South Surrey location.

Chef Joel VillanuevaPrimo’s Mexican Grill

Chef Joel Villanueva, Primo’s Mexican Grill

Born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, Joel is the Third Generation owner-operator of Primo’s Mexican Grill. As a First Generation Canadian, Joel proudly carries on the Villanueva family legacy of the traditional Mexican restaurant. Primo’s was founded in 1959 by Joel’s grandfather Primo Villanueva following his retirement from the CFL as a Halfback for the BC Lions, and was the first Mexican restaurant in British Columbia. Joel’s passion for Primo’s rich history and food run in his blood as he proudly loves to share the food and stories with everyone that comes in. Joel, his wife Jaclynn, and their two children now live in White Rock where they have re located Primo’s Mexican Grill to the beach.

Chef Christophe BonzonChez Christophe

Chef Christophe Bonzon, Chez Christophe

Christophe is a Swiss trained Pastry Chef/Chocolatier. His resumé is studded with almost two decades of hard work, studying under some of Europe’s grand masters in the fine art of pastry and chocolate, both in his native Switzerland, Australia and in France. Christophe’s creations have travelled the world and was bestowed with Gold at the 2014 International Chocolate Awards World Final (London UK) in the White Chocolate Ganache and Truffle category. The success continued as Christophe participated at the 2015 World Chocolate Masters Canadian Final and won four awards. Bonzon was then nominated amongst the top five finalists at the 2015 BC Small Business Awards in the category of New Immigrant Entrepreneur. He received two finalist nominations at the Burnaby Business Excellence Awards in the category of “Business Person of the Year” and “Entrepreneurial Spirit”.

After arriving in Canada with his wife Jess, Christophe was the Executive Pastry Chef at the award-winning CinCin Restorante in Vancouver, Canada. In March of 2013 the couple opened their doors to Chez Christophe in Burnaby, BC. Bringing a bit of Swiss flair to Canada, their collection of fine handmade chocolates ranges from artistic chocolate sculptures, creative truffle flavours to signature chocolate bars, and seasonal favourites. Customers can also find an array of macarons, viennoiserie, desserts, and cakes at Chez Christophe. Due to overwhelming support, the pair moved to a larger location in 2016 with more seating, an outdoor patio, and an expanded menu with sandwiches.

2019 brings excitement as construction of a second location for Chez Chrisophe well underway at 1558 Johnston Road in White Rock. The new café will be in a newly constructed residential tower occupying a ground level commercial space of approximately 1500 square feet, featuring 30 interior seats with additional production and retail space. “This district located on Johnston Road is a popular destination because of the shopping and local businesses for residents,” says Christophe Bonzon, co-owner, head pastry chef and chocolatier of Chez Christophe.

“We are excited about the opportunity to become part of the rapidly expanding community of White Rock and South Surrey and want to bring a small taste of Switzerland through our passion for chocolate and pastry with our unique artisanal product,” explains Christophe. “Over the past two decades people are moving further away from the city centre, yet want to obtain easily accessible premium products which they previously enjoyed in downtown Vancouver and the surrounding area” says Christophe.

The interior is designed to reflect Chez Christophe’s new branding echoing the Art Deco era. This is in keeping with their new branding strategy of the past two years. This space creates a fun relaxed cosy ambiance for local residents to come out and enjoy the full product range. “The new space will be configured with an observation window enabling customers to see the Chocolatier Pastry Chef working to create the product on-site,” continues Christophe. “This will create an intimate atmosphere in our shop, whilst indulging the customers senses (see, smell and taste). With the coffee bar we hope to have customers make the pastry shop their one-stop destination for breakfast or afternoon tea.” For information about the full collection please visit, www.chez-christophe.ca.