Ryan Crawford has been involved in the kitchen his entire life. He studied at Stratford Chefs School (Class of 1999) and then became an instructor at the School for four years. He has travelled extensively, staging at The French Laundry and Terra Grill in Napa Valley; l’Orangerie, Lucques and Patina in Los Angeles, and Jardinière in San Francisco. Closer to home, he has worked with Michael Stadtländer and Jamie Kennedy.
Ryan solidified his place in the Canadian culinary scene as Executive Chef of the Stone Road Grille in Niagara-on-the-Lake, at which time he and his good friend Paul Harber of Ravine Vineyard Winery began farming together. Ryan and Paul brought The Happy Pig Farm to Niagara.
Ryan later went on to make his own wine with The Crawford Wine Project. This wine has been featured in restaurants across Ontario, and even off the coast of Newfoundland at the Fogo Island Inn.
Most recently, Ryan was the Chef-Owner of Ruffino's Pasta Bar & Grill, in Naples (Niagara!)-on-the-Lake, Ontario. After the closure of Ruffino’s in September 2024, Ryan and his family are keeping things going at Itty Bitty Farm Co. in Niagara-on-the-Lake with their daily farm stand, selling fresh sourdough bread, vegetables, and more!