Very happy to have Hospitality Giants, Meeru Dhalwala and Shira Blustein on this weeks podcast. They talk about their restaurant Lila up on Main st. How they partnered on the project, how it all came together and how it is going. They give very scholarly advice on the restaurant business and how being precise, but agile helps with success. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. As always please DM me comments on Instagram.Send us your feedback
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1:09:36
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1:09:36
Angus An
In the summer of 2006 I met a young Chef opening his first new restaurant Gastropod, right beside my new restaurant, Fuel. We became fast friends and have been working together in one way or another ever since, Chef Angus An is a Chef and Restaurateur in the truest definition. He and his team have opened eight very successful restaurants, all garnering much critical acclaim and solid business. I hope you enjoy his story and his advice to young restaurateurs and Chefs out there.Send us your feedback
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1:11:19
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1:11:19
Antonio Martin
Good Day everyone! On this weeks podcast we have a special treat. This Chef came to work for me back in 2004 - 2005, when I was working as the CDC at C Restaurant. He was and is a very talented and hardworking cook and Chef. I am happy to introduce you to my friend Antonio Martin of Haven Restaurant and Stevens Cocktail Corner, both in Langley BC. Listen as we delve into his past and heritage, his love of good scotch and fast motorcycles. But mainly his passion for friends, family and his extended community. Antonio is a proud Filipino, he loves his community and absolutely loves sharing it with people and especially other cooks. This was highlighted last summer at COOKSCAMP 2024 where the Filipino Community and its food were highlighted in the first nights cultural meal. He along with some of the best Chefs in the community deliver a meal that will go down in COOKSCAMP history as the one to top. A 250 person Boodle Fight. If you don't know what that means, I highly suggest getting yourself invited to one or at least look it up. I hope you enjoy our chat. As always please feel free to DM me with comments and suggestions on who I should talk with next. Send us your feedback
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1:35:19
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1:35:19
Alex Kim
On this weeks episode of Mise en Place, we have Chef Alex Kim, the Chef and Culinary Director of Five Sails and Glowbal Restaurant in Vancouver. He joins us to share his journey from Seoul, South Korea, to becoming a Chef here in Canada. He moved from Korea to Edmonton as a teenager and fell in love with the idea of becoming a Chef and has dedicated his life to his craft. He loves the use bits and pieces of his culinary heritage in his modern take on fine cuisine. This different but delicious perspective to him onto win the gold medal and People’s Choice Award at the 2025 Canadian Culinary Championship. On the podcast, Kim delves into the personal and cultural influences that shape his cuisine and how he leads by example with his restaurant teams. I hope you enjoy the insight and as always please message me with any feedback and show suggestions. Send us your feedback
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1:29:48
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1:29:48
Reuben Major
On this weeks episode of Mise en Place - the Podcast, we’re delighted to welcome Chef Reuben Major, a dynamic force in Vancouver’s culinary and hospitality scene whose innovative leadership has left a lasting mark on the city’s dining landscape. From his early days crafting menus at Veloute Bistro in Toronto to his role as Executive Chef and part owner of The Settlement Building’s Belgard Kitchen, Reuben has blended culinary creativity with a knack for sustainable practices, like using brewery spent grain to create unique dishes such as IPA-braised roasts. His tenure as Director of Culinary Development at Earls saw him elevate everyday offerings like burgers and breads, while his current role as CEO and Partner at Havana Restaurant showcases his ability to steer iconic establishments toward continued success.Reuben’s journey is defined by his entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for fostering collaboration, empowering chefs, and building strong relationships with guests and colleagues alike. Join us as we dive into his stories of balancing quality with innovation, his experiences within Vancouver’s food scene. As always please DM me with comments or suggestions. I hope you enjoy our chat. Send us your feedback
Mise en Place - the Podcast, is produced and hosted by Robert Belcham in conjunction with the Chefs' Table Society of BC. This unique Podcast features ‘deep dive’ conversations with industry leaders on career and business issues that define the life of the professional hospitality person. The guests we talk to with offer real insights into the inner workings and not often explored restaurant landscape in British Columbia. We hope you enjoy the show and don't hesitate to reach out via instagram @robertbelcham1 to ask questions or add comments about the content.