Alumni Feature: Chef Corbin Mathany

Stratford Admin

1 day ago

Chef-Owner, Ugly Duckling Dining & Provisions

West Coast Success Story

Stratford Chefs School Alumnus Corbin Mathany (Class of 2012) is the chef-owner of the tiny and thoughtful restaurant Ugly Duckling Dining & Provisions, located next to Fan Tan Alley in Canada’s oldest Chinatown. He takes on multiple roles at the restaurant, including chef, owner, wine director, and restaurant manager. Mathany describes his exquisite tasting menus as “An edible celebration of Vancouver Island. A love letter to our Chinatown home.”

Chef Corbin Mathany | Photo: Eat Magazine

Among Canada’s Best

Since opening in 2023, Ugly Duckling has made its mark as one of Vancouver Island’s best and most innovative dining experiences, having been recognized as Victoria, B.C.’s Best New Restaurant by YAM Magazine, and long-listed as one of Canada’s Best New Restaurants for 2023 by Air Canada’s En Route Magazine.

Beauty in Humble Ingredients

Chef Mathany focuses on ambitious, technically driven, from-scratch food while uncovering the beauty in humble ingredients, a philosophy rooted in the classic tale of the ugly duckling; that something beautiful can come from anything if given the proper time and effort.

Photo: Ugly Duckling website

His True Calling

For Mathany, his calling was always clear, he wanted to be a chef for as long as he can remember. While in his undergrad at Brock University, Mathany went out to eat as often as he could afford. In his third year, he began working part-time at a fine dining restaurant. “I was just peeling potatoes and chopping onions, but I immediately fell in love with it. I finished university just to keep my parents happy.”

After he completed his degree in English Literature, Mathany went looking for a different kind of study at Stratford Chefs School. After completing the program, he moved to B.C. in 2012 and began working at Stage Wine Bar. Mathany worked his way through a laundry list of renowned and quality restaurants in Victoria, including what was formerly Ulla and Relish. After working as the chef for a time at Hudson’s on First in Duncan, he worked as the sous chef at Wind Cries Mary for more than three years.

Cooking for Celebrities

Chef Corbin told a fun Stratford story in 5 Reasons to Visit when asked if he had ever cooked for celebrities: “I went to culinary school back East at a place called the Stratford Chefs School. Stratford is a big theatre town, and a lot of big-name stage actors would roll through during the summer. I cooked for Andrew Lloyd Webber at least a few times; and the Canadian actor Colm Feore (Chronicles of Riddick and Thor) was actually a student in a series of cooking classes that I was fortunate to help instruct. He’s a kitchen knife fanatic; and he taught me everything I know about knife sharpening. I’m still waiting for Bradley Cooper to walk through the door though. If anybody knows him, please let him know that he eats free at Ugly Duckling ;).”

Advice

And his advice to young chefs? “Never let yourself believe that you’ve got it figured out.”

A Love Letter to Vancouver Island

“In culinary school, I would write business plans just as a fantasy,” he says. “Ugly Duckling is designed as a love letter to Vancouver Island and the bounty it has to offer.”

Congratulations to Chef Corbin Mathany on his business fantasy becoming such a successful reality!

A Quiet Revolution in Hospitality and Flavour

LEARN MORE | Read the Feature in edible Vancouver Island

Recipe

Check out Chef Corbin’s recipe for Chanterelle Mushroom & Smoked Potato Tortelli, as featured in edible Vancouver Island, by Elizabeth Nyland.