Vancouver Food Talks returns in June with its eighth edition in the series, celebrating one year of hosting inspiring speakers from our local food community! This edition of Food Talks is themed 5 Iconic Women Chefs.
Each of these inspiring women will talk about what they do and their role as a woman chef in the food community.
Volume 8’s five women chef speakers will be:
Chef Karen Barnaby
Karen has lived and worked in Toronto, cooking at The Rivoli and the David Wood Food Shop. In Mexico, she worked as a private chef. Vancouver has been her home since 1991 where she has held the position of Executive Chef at both the Raintree Restaurant and the Fish House in Stanley Park. Her current role is Chef of Product and Business Development for Albion Fisheries, Intercity Packers, and Fresh Start Foods under the Gordon Food Service umbrella.
Chef Meeru Dhalwala
Meeru Dhalwala was born in India and moved to Washington, DC, at a very young age with her parents. In DC, she worked with various international non-profit organizations on human rights and economic development projects. She received a Master’s degree in Development Studies from Bath University in England. In 1995, Meeru moved to Vancouver and joined her husband, Vikram, to work at his newly opened restaurant, Vij’s. She quickly took over the menu responsibilities and has been creating new dishes since the summer of 1995.
Chef Susan Mendelson
Susan has shared her recipes on radio, television, and in her 10 cookbooks. After 30 years, Susan still feels passionate about delicious and beautiful food and believes that only the finest ingredients should go into any food that is created. Susan has supported several key organizations, donating a percentage of her book royalties to Big Sisters of BC, the Vancouver Jewish Family Service Agency Food programs and others.
Chef Angie Quaale
Angie Quaale founded Well Seasoned in 2004 after working for several years in hotels and fine dining. Her successful career has focused on commercial food sales, menu development, and retail food distribution.
Chef Merri Schwartz
A deep passion for food and agriculture led Schwartz to found Growing Chefs! Chefs for Children’s Urban Agriculture in 2005. This Vancouver-based, non-profit organization pairs chef volunteers with elementary school classrooms, where chefs help students plant, grow, and cook their own vegetables. Schwartz founded Growing Chefs! with the hope that sustainable practices will become integral to living and cooking in Vancouver and beyond.
Enjoy tasty appetizers prepared by the chefs at The Westin Grand followed by the talks. After the speakers, Richard Wolak, Founder of Food Talks, will moderate a Q&A, offering the audience a chance to ask questions and engage with the speakers. There will also be a draw for prizes. Wine, beer, cocktails and other beverages will be available for purchase.
Growing Chefs will be the event’s designated charity, an organization that educates children on the food community in public schools.
Food Talks Volume 8
Date: Tuesday, June 11, 6:30 to 9:30 pm
Venue: The Westin Grand, 433 Robson Street, Vancouver
Early Bird Tickets: $18 per person before April 30 (11:30 pm); Advance Tickets: $30 per person after April 30. After June 8, regular tickets are $40 per person.
All tickets exclude Eventbrite fee.
A donation of $3 from each ticket purchased will go to support Growing Chefs.
