For more than two decades, Chef Jonathan Gushue has been satisfying palates with a natural culinary style and inventiveness that balances both tradition, locality and imagination. Born in Newfoundland, Gushue received his culinary training with the Savoy Group in London, UK. He went on the continue his studies in France, United States and Japan over the next 5 years. Upon
Alondra Galvez (Class of 2003) has travelled a great distance both personally and professionally in life. Accompanying her along the way were the tastes and memories of her grandmother’s kitchen as a young child growing up in Reynosa, Mexico. At age 11 she moved to Canada and her adopted country gave way to another culture of cooking, but her roots
Thompson Tran is Executive Chef and Owner of boutique catering company Wooden Boat Food Company specializing in Vietnamese and French fare in Kitchener, Ontario. His award-winning dipping sauce NUOC CHAM can be found in over 200 retailers in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario. As a former chef instructor, chef Tran has worked in both the private and public sectors of
Stratford Chefs School Alumnus Matthew Sullivan (Class of 2007) has a style of cooking that is modern and versatile. Formerly the corporate chef for Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE), he completely overhauled the food programs at RealSports, the Air Canada Centre (now Scotiabank Arena), and BMO Field. Matt has also worked in Michelin star restaurants around the world and
Chef Denis Hernandez has been in the culinary field for the last 15 years. He started at Niagara Culinary Institute, and began his apprenticeship at Peller Estates in Niagara-on-the-Lake, later moving to Waterloo Region to expand his knowledge. Over the last decade, Denis has moved around Ontario and enjoyed the opportunity to work with – and learn from – some
Alumni Jesse Way grew up in Stratford, Ontario, surrounded by some of Canada’s best chefs, farmers, and the great support of the local community. He worked in the restaurant industry from a young age, which led him to enrol at Stratford Chefs School in 2013, graduating in 2015. Stratford Chefs School provided Jesse with all of the tools he needed
Chef Daniel Holloway is a chameleon in the kitchen with curious and artistic energy for menu development. While his signature style can be challenging to pin down, it oscillates between refined manicured works of art using fine French techniques and rustic comfort food meant to evoke a familiar warmth. He is one half of a foodways project started with partner Marie
Dacha Markovic grew up in the Balkans in the early nineties. He knew from a young age that he was drawn to hospitality; influenced by helping his mother cook at home and also from his father’s time working in hotels and restaurants. He worked at the Hyatt in Belgrade, Serbia during his time at culinary school and came to Canada
Chef Ashley Stock is a native of Stratford, Ontario and a Stratford Chefs School Alumna (Class of 2020). Her path started in hospitality, stopping to pursue a career in the financial sector before returning to hospitality and attending the Stratford Chefs School. Upon graduation, she relocated to Toronto, quickly advancing from entry level sweet and savoury positions for some of
Born in Querétaro, Mexico, Rafael Covarrubias left at age 17 to pursue a culinary career that brought him to Canada. Covarrubias joined Hexagon Restaurant and 7 Enoteca by way of MARKET Restaurant in Calgary, Alberta as part of the opening team for Hexagon Restaurant in February of 2017. Covarrubias was the Winner of the North American San Pellegrino Young Chef
Chef Shu Zhang (Class of 2011) is a Chinese-Canadian who was born in Shanghai and moved to Toronto with her family at a young age. She always had a love for food (mainly eating it), and decided to pursue a career in the culinary arts, discovering that she was actually kind of good at it! She got her official start at Stratford
Rich Francis is a Gwich’in / Haudenosaunee Chef who cooks modern Indigenous cuisine. He is Chef and Founder of Seventh Fire Hospitality Group, an Alumnus of Stratford Chefs School (Class of 2008), the co-producer of ‘Red Chef Revival’ and ‘Wild Game’ on Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), and was a Top Chef Canada Finalist. Chef Rich Francis combines his knowledge,