On this episode of Mise en Place, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Chef Patrick Hennessy, the longtime culinary vet, behind Vancouver’s Michelin-starred gem, Barbara. Nestled in the heart of Chinatown, Barbara is a testament to Hennessy’s remarkable journey—from his early days at West Vancouver’s Beach House to Chambar to honing his craft at global heavyweight Eleven Madison Park, in Manhattan. With a kidney transplant shaping his resilience and a deep love for local, sustainable ingredients, Hennessy has created a 17-seat restaurant that redefines intimate dining. We dive into his creative process, the challenges of running such a small operation. I hope you enjoy our chat, and as always, please DM me with any comments and who I should chat with next.

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Welcome to Mise en Place - The Podcast, where we sit down with the change makers of the restaurant industry to uncover their stories, passions, and the moments that shape their culinary worlds. This week, we’re delighted to reconnect with Chef Ron McKinley for a second time, catching him at a pivotal moment in his illustrious career. Recently departing from his role as Executive Chef at Canoe Restaurant in Toronto—a celebrated cornerstone of Canadian cuisine—Chef Ron is now strategically plotting his next chapter while savoring a well-earned pause. Fresh off a dream guest chef appearance in Charlie Trotter’s iconic Chicago kitchen and a dynamic collaboration with Chef Vish Mayekar and the team at Elem in Vancouver, Ron is riding a wave of inspiration.

Born and raised in Vancouver, Chef Ron’s culinary spark was ignited by his mom’s heartfelt Sunday roasts, propelling him on a global quest for culinary excellence. With over a decade of experience in elite kitchens across the UK, Australia, and the Middle East, he trained under Michelin-starred Chef Tom Kitchin in Edinburgh and refined his craft alongside Scott Pickett in Melbourne. Known for his disciplined approach and deep reverence for local ingredients, Ron’s tenure at Canoe showcased his mastery in elevating Canada’s diverse bounty—think Saskatoon chanterelles, Nova Scotian sea lettuce, and Ontario squab—through a seamless blend of classic French techniques and modern innovation.

Listen as we chat about Chef Ron’s remarkable journey, from his global adventures and recent high-profile collaborations, and his vision for what’s next. I hope you enjoy the conversation and as always check DM me with any comments.

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Welcome to Mise en Place – the Podcast, on this weeks podcast our guest is overseeing some of the best restaurants in the Okanagan Valley — Chef Patrick Gayler, Executive Chef of the iconic Mission Hill Family Estate Winery. With a deep commitment to sustainability, seasonality, and the spirit of collaboration, Patrick has transformed the dining experience at Mission Hill’s Terrace Restaurant into one of the most acclaimed winery restaurants in Canada.

From his early days on Canada’s competitive culinary stage — representing the country at the Culinary Olympics — to crafting hyper-local, wine-paired menus that celebrate the Okanagan Valley’s bounty, Patrick is a chef who believes that great food begins with great relationships: with farmers, with the land, and with the people at the table.

I hope you enjoy our chat and if you have any comments or suggestions on other guests, go over to @mise_en_place_the_podcast and send me a message.

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