Chef Dave Ryan
Canadian born and raised in Nova Scotia, Dave began his career in 1984 after graduating with highest standing awards from a from a 2 year culinary arts program at NSIT, in Nova Scotia. With a variety of ethnic influences throughout his career, along with his own Middle Eastern and Irish heritage, his cooking style is modern European influenced with Canadian roots.
Dave started his culinary journey working in higher end hotels like the ITT corporate Sheraton and New World hotels. Working across Canada in major cities like Toronto and Calgary, Dave has been lucky to work with some of Canada's most notable chefs like Tony Marakaimi, Marcel Krentz, and Fred Zimmerman. He eventually landed in Vancouver near the end of Expo 86 and moved to the interior in 1992, taking on the role as Executive Chef at Lake Okanagan Resort in Kelowna. While in the Okanagan, Dave co-hosted a radio program called' 'Stump The Chef", but in 2001 the city beckoned him back, and so he lives in Abbotsford and commutes into Vancouver to VCC everyday. Dave has contributed published material in 9 hard covered books, including the 1999 to 2004 editions of "Canadian "ON COOKING" and the "2008 Culinary Team Canada Cooks" cookbook.
He dedicates his time to working directly with young chefs and competitors of the future. He is a former regional team BC manager and past coach for our provincial Aboriginal Team. Dave holds 5 Healthy Chef titles all with student teams from VCC and personally helped raise money for the Elizabeth Fry Society, Rotary club and other local charities. In 2007 Ryan was involved in the reality TV show "The Next Great Chef", in 2008 selected for the" Julius Pokomandy Award" and "2009 BC Chef Of The Year". Completing his certification in National judging, Dave was on the list of select Canadian chefs who represent as international judges for W.A.C.S. sanctioned events around the globe.
Having become involved in culinary competitions early in his career, Dave sees them as a source of great inspiration for both apprentices and established professionals. "There is more to cooking and creating than our everyday work can offer. We can't re-invent food but I believe we can take that basic function and elevate it to an art." He has certainly proven that with his achievements in culinary competitions. He holds 9 Provincial trophies, over 26 medals, and 5 gold with distinction in competitions within Canada and the United States. Dave has seen 13 national competitions in the European circuit; and 9 as a core team member of our National Culinary Olympic Team. With over 45 National medals all gold except 3 and 6 medals highest in category, Dave is a 2 time World Champion and holder of the Olympic "Grand Gold" in the 2000 World Culinary Olympics.