From Farms to Forks is Back in Person!

You're invited! On November 6, 2022, at 5:30 pm, we are holding our 13th annual From Farms to Forks harvest kitchen party. IN PERSON! From Farms to Forks pairs many of the province’s greatest chefs with B.C.'s finest growers and producers. Hosted in the dining room and teaching kitchens of the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts, guests watch the chefs in action, meet the growers, and enjoy delicious tasting plates* - each paired with a different wine from Mission Hill Family Estate Winery. This years' seated event includes an in-person silent and live auction for event attendees, as well as an online auction and raffle open to all of our supporters.

The aim is to raise $75,000 for Growing Chefs edible education programming and initiatives throughout the current school year supporting B.C. kids and their families.

Limited tickets are available for $250 each.

To avoid service fees:

Please notify us (afton@growingchefs.ca) if you're planning to purchase tickets outside of the online platform. Seating is limited and we don't want you to miss out.

* Many tasting plates will have a vegetarian alternative, however, the food may not be suitable for those who choose to eat vegan or have severe allergies. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

The Talented Chefs Behind From Farms to Forks

We have a premium selection of local chefs responsible for creating mouth-watering recipes for us to taste!

This Year's Bountiful Harvest is Courtesy of...

Each dish begins with high quality ingredients donated by some of B.C.'s most incredible growers and producers.

From Farms to Forks Sponsors

We’re grateful for the generous support of our sponsors who helped us put this event together. Click on the logos below to learn more about each of them!

Please Donate Today

If you're not able to attend our upcoming fundraising events, we ask that you consider making a donation to bring edible education to B.C. kids and youth!

Your gift will help build connections to the earth, local food systems, and with one another through edible education programs.

Growing Chefs is where kids’ connections to food take root.

A Growing Team at Growing Chefs - Welcome Madi!

AMANDA LEFT BIG SHOES TO FILL DURING HER PARENTAL LEAVE, BUT WE FOUND SOMEONE WITH PERFECTly SIZED FEET. WELCOME TO THE TEAM MADI!

Hi! My name is Madi (she/her), and I’m really excited to be working with Growing Chefs in my role as interim Co-Executive Director, Programs & Operations. I’m joining the team as a white settler based on Lək̓ʷəŋən lands where I’ve been entangled in local food for the last seven years. My days in the dirt started as a youth in the juicy berry fields of Ka’tarokwi on Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee lands and I’ve been grateful for all the tired, full, and silly moments growing food ever since. 

For me, food is connected to everything I hold close. I love the slowness of knowing my neighborhood farmer, butcher, and cheesemaker; the feeling of deep care and connection in the queer farming community; witnessing my nephew drool mid-moose meat indulgence; memories of suffering with pals through 6:00am rainy harvests; and the vastness of knowledge and culturally rich story-telling weaved throughout our communities. 

I feel drawn to this work for the ways that it allows me to move with slow and ongoing curiosity. The more people I meet and ingredients I taste, the more my eyes widen to the essence of good food. With an understanding that our food system is inseparable from broader social structures— for me, good food asks us to envision worlds that honour people– our relationships and responsibilities to each other and place. In any case, it’s the simple question of what goes unseen before those delicious shisto peppers make it into my belly that keeps me moving in my own processes of undoing disconnection from food, land, and collective.

I hope this all goes to say— I’m grateful for the opportunity to support the vision that Growing Chefs, our partners, and communities have been tirelessly working on to create possibilities for a more just and accessible food system. It reminds me of all the caring, imaginative, and skilled people in my life who time and time again show me what is possible when we orient towards collective abundance. 

A Growing Team at Growing Chefs - Welcome Kat!

I inherited my love of all things green and leafy from my mother, whose passion for dirt, moss, and snails is unsurpassed. She had me out in the yard growing strawberries and zucchinis, and pulling great clumps of potatoes from the ground. I loved eating the fruit right off the plant and helping her wash the mud from our haul. Some of my best memories from childhood centre around the kitchen baking or cooking something delicious with my mom. I am grateful for the gift of knowing how to prepare healthy food inexpensively, especially now as the world continues to change around us and make food security and sustainability more prevalent concerns.

I am also grateful to have grown up on the west coast of BC, which is just so beautiful, but also has a lengthy growing season! I spent several years in Toronto, and while it had many amazing benefits, the long winters and harsh summers were hard to get used to. I tried several times to plant a few pots, but they never survived the extreme August heat. I love that here in Vancouver I can start to see little sprouts popping out of the ground as early as mid-February, and that they will happily keep growing with little maintenance until Halloween.

When I'm not out enjoying the lushness of my neighbourhood I spend my time writing, performing, and producing music. My grandfathers on both sides were noted audiophiles, and with a brother in radio it seems destined that I would also follow the path to music. I've been singing since I could talk, and writing my own songs since I was 14. Most recently, I released my first single with a UK-based indie label and with an album due out this fall, I am
excited for what the future holds.

Fun Fact: I have 14 cat mugs.

A BIG GROWING CHEFS WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST TEAM MEMBER! WE’RE SO LUCKY TO HAVE YOU KAT!

My name is Kat Morrow and I'm thrilled to be joining the lovely team at Growing Chefs as the Communications and Engagement Assistant. I strongly believe that the divide between the food on our plates and our understanding of the places it comes from have deepened greatly over the past 100 years. I'm excited to be part of an organization that is striving to bridge that gap and helps current and future generations understand food production and sustainability. The more we investigate and comprehend where our food is coming from the more equipped we are to make better decisions for ourselves, our families, and our communities.

I became interested in the path of seed to produce at a young age. Although my adult life has kept me in cities with no yard to harvest, I have always managed to fill a container or two with herbs, beans, lettuce, and even the occasional tomato. I also enjoy cooking and there is so much pride in eating something you've grown with your own hands. The end product always seems to taste better.

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2021/2022 School Year: Program Update

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The end of the school year has been busy for us at Growing Chefs. We have so many new faces on our team, some going out on parental leave, some going on vacation to enjoy the summer, all at the same time as program planning for next year. But before we get there, we’d like to recap and celebrate the end of the school year! 

2021 FALL PROGRAM

We had many celebrations in the 2021/2022 school year, the biggest one being our return to in-person programs! Thanks to our incredible volunteers, we delivered a safe and fun program that warmed everyone’s [artichoke] hearts. It’s so good to feel the energy of being back to school!

Over the course of four weeks, our fall program covered a wide range of subjects. To begin, the chefs helped the students plant a small windowsill garden.

Students monitored their gardens, and through a series of games, activities, art projects, and lessons focusing on plant growth, vegetables, sustainability, and food choices, they learned more about where their food comes from and how they are a part of their local food system. 

The kids were curious to try new scientific methods as they planted seeds and observed how plants grew over a few weeks. As a class, they came up with ways to test how different conditions affect plant growth and development.

Unfounded hypothesis :-)

Students learned how to read a recipe as they made pickled vegetables together with the chefs. They had the opportunity to take the recipe home and try it with their families, which was a big hit! Some kids returned to school the week after saying their caregivers also wanted to learn how to cook with us.

We love the willingness these kids show to try the salad, and more often than not, they pile their plates with seconds! Our plating and tasting activity promotes creativity and open-mindedness. The end result is a colourful, beautiful plate worthy of pictures.

“It was such a lovely experience volunteering with Growing Chefs! I really enjoyed seeing the students excited to learn about the different aspects of food and for some to break out of their comfort zones to try new foods. I was amazed that many students at such a young age were already very knowledgeable about the gardening process. I definitely learned a lot through this experience from the students and fellow chefs.”
— Helen Z., volunteer

They also had a Virtual Field Trip to either Earnest Ice Cream, Cheakamus Centre, or Sandown Centre for Regenerative Agriculture, followed by a live inquiry Q & A session where students could speak directly with their respective teams. It’s amazing to see how engaging these conversations can be, and the types of questions that come up from the students. We have so many brilliant minds in our classrooms!

Check out a teaser of one of the Virtual Field Trips:

2022 SPRING PROGRAM

Historically, our Spring program is our longest one. Over the course of 6 weeks, chefs and students not only learned how to take care of their garden but also learned what composting means and how to do a compost stew, which is the perfect way to close the gardening cycle.

The kids explored their five senses as they examined vegetables and tried to guess what they were. They were also open to tasting different leafy greens and eating the very same greens that they planted in the first class.

One of the most exciting activities - for the chefs and the kids - is to cook together. We can see some sparkles in their eyes when they are able to cook a meal with what they have grown and worked so hard to take care of. This time, they prepped a delicious stir-fry!

“I like to think that Jennifer and I had more fun than the kids did, and that is hard to say because they had a blast. The kids we had this year were extraordinary, they gravitated so well towards the program, and they truly enjoyed it. I think one of our favorite memories was the knife cutting class we did with them in lesson 5. Once they realized they would be handling a knife, some of the kids went a little quiet and shy, perhaps a bit afraid, but as we walked each once of them individually through the drill, everyone was super proud to have used a knife to cut veggies with. Personally, I really enjoyed watching some of the kids go from non-veggie eaters to slowly getting into them with every class that passes by. Every week we had a better bond as a class and a better bond with our food. As per usual, the Growing Chefs salad dressing is always the rockstar of the show, and we heard the kids tell us that they keep making that salad at home.”
— Alex, school teacher at Pleasantsid

THE NUMBERS

  • 48 classrooms engaged in programming!

  • 1,500 kids engaged!

  • 8 Intermediate classrooms in the fall for our Classroom Gardening & Cooking Program!

  • 15 Primary classrooms in the spring for our Classroom Gardening & Cooking Program, including our return to programming in Victoria!

  • 90 volunteers recruited, trained, and supported!

  • 25 classes/groups on Virtual Field Trips!

We all love numbers, but nothing warms your heart more than stories from the students:

LunchLAB 

For those who don’t know, LunchLAB (a collaboration with Fresh Roots and the Vancouver School Board) is a fun, education program that serves healthy, delicious lunches prepared by a chef-in-residence, student chefs, and their teachers. Learning with their teacher and a chef-in-residence, students help create the menu, prepare the food, and serve it to their peers. It is an exercise in learning and sharing. And it’s delicious! 

Fall 2021 saw the return of LunchLAB at Total Education, while we were able to restart Lunchlab at Lord Roberts in Spring 2022. We can’t wait to return to LunchLAB in our 2023/2024 school year.

We’re incredibly grateful for each and every person who has helped to make these programs possible. After two years of online programming, we missed the energy of the teachers and students, and nothing would have been possible without our dear volunteers, our talented team of staff, and generous supporters. Let’s all continue to teach kids more about healthy food and healthy food systems. If you are looking for ways to get involved, check out the volunteer and donate pages of our website! 

HAVE A DELICIOUS SUMMER!

A Growing Team at Growing Chefs - Welcome Julia!

A GIANT GROWING CHEFS WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST STAFF MEMBER! WELCOME TO THE TEAM, JULIA!

Hi there! My name is Julia and I couldn’t be more excited to join the Growing Chefs team as their Communications Assistant.

I feel like my life has always revolved around food. I’m from Brazil and we’re known to be great cooks, family-oriented, and chatty people. I don’t want to put every Brazilian person in the same bag, but that’s exactly how my family has raised me to be.

I have spent a lot of time in the kitchen since I was a teeny tiny Julia. Every Sunday my family would gather for lunch at my grandmother’s place. I would arrive early in the morning, and all of our aunts would cook together. I remember placing a chair close to the sink so I could stand up and help my grandmother as she cooked delicious gnocchi for the whole family - I remember eating raw pasta too. We spent hours and hours talking at the table as we ate and drank freshly squeezed lemon juice. I also remember rolling brigadeiros with my family with my tiny hands. We always celebrate our birthdays with homemade food and handmade party decorations.

Me and my mother prepping for one of our many family barbecues.

As I grew, I noticed that food was something that brought my family together. I was always keen to help my father - a very patient man - to prepare our barbecues. It was a very special moment when I was finally old enough to cook my first rice. I was nine years old and I remember feeling proud and accomplished after cutting onions and garlic, frying them, and smelling the amazing spices after adding water to the pan. This is a smell that most Brazilians grow to love.

My grandmother and I. I wish that I had a picture of us cooking together.

Cooking has always been that one self-care act that I took very seriously. I grew up as a semi-professional swimmer. I spent a lot of energy - and vitamins - practicing from Monday to Saturday for 3 hours per day. I began my swimming career when I was six years old, and I would travel around Brazil competing with kids who had practiced just as much as me.

When I was around nine, we found out that I wasn’t getting enough vitamins into my diet, because I was spending too much energy swimming! That’s when my mother started taking meal planning very seriously. She was the person who supported me all the way from taking me to swimming practice to planning every piece of food that I’d put into my mouth. I woke up every morning with a slice of whole-grain bread with requeijão, half papaya with oat, two Brazilian nuts, two cashews, and two walnuts. That’s precisely what my body needed to grow healthier and perform better.

My parents and I after I won a medal.

After going to the nutritionist once a month for years and years, I grew up taking food planning very seriously. I’ve always been the person who spends two hours of my Sunday night prepping my meals for the week, and I do that until today.

My journey with Growing Chefs started in 2019, when I volunteered for the first time. Eating healthy food was crucial for me, and I was amazed to see that the work that Growing Chefs does was exactly what I needed when I was young.

When I’m not working, I’m usually taking my dog, Shuri, for a walk at the park, lake, or at the beach. I also love spending time with my partner watching TV shows, and reading a good book to start my day.

A Growing Team at Growing Chefs - Welcome Sam!

THREE CHEERS FOR OUR NEWEST TEAM MEMBER, SAM!
HIP HIP HOORAY! HIP HIP HOORAY! HIP HIP HOORAY! WELCOME!

Hi! I’m Sam and I am so excited to be taking on the role of Programs Coordinator with Growing Chefs! 

My love for growing and cooking good food started with the woman who raised me - my Nonna. In fact, all of my first food memories feature her

Our lives revolved around the seasons - We would plan the garden together in the early spring and start our seeds indoors. Soon after, we’d be harvesting zucchini flowers to fry for dinner. Super seasonal and ultra-delicate, fried zucchini flowers bring me right back to my Nonna’s kitchen and are still one of my favourite treats to this day! In the fall we would harvest tonnes (literally!) of tomatoes. Some we would lay out in the sun to make sun-dried tomatoes, and others we would turn into fresh pasta sauce and store in la cantina for the winter. From the chevalatta (a type of Italian sausage) to the mozzarella to the spaghetti, almost everything we ate was homemade. 

At the time, I didn’t realize how radical my Nonna was, but now, as a city-dwelling adult, I am amazed by her resourcefulness and her commitment to sharing her knowledge in the kitchen and in the garden with her granddaughters. Today, my father tills the same soil and plants the same seeds that my Nonna and Nonna did decades ago, and I plan my visit home to support him with the harvest.

Because of my upbringing, I know that food has the power to connect people to their loved ones, their community, the land they live on, and their cultural identity. What excites me most about Growing Chefs is that they are working to empower kids to discover their role in growing and cooking food. I believe that teaching children food literacy skills is an investment in mentally and physically healthy adults. It’s a step towards local, accessible food systems, and engaged interdependent communities. The benefits of teaching food literacy are endless, and I am honoured to be bringing my experience as a community worker and educator to support Growing Chefs’ mission to foster systemic change towards sustainable, just food practices by connecting kids with chefs and growers in their community.

When I’m not in the kitchen, you can find me:

  • Chatting with my neighbours at the Vancouver Farmers Market

  • Foraging for berries and other wild fruits and veggies

  • Looking for fresh snow to ski 

  • Admiring flowers

  • Road tripping with my loved ones

  • Cooking pastries over a campfire 

  • Hiking barefoot

  • Exploring the intertidal zone for sea stars, anemones, and other captivating critters 

  • Planning my next dive trip (send me your recommendations!)

Written and shared in loving memory of my Nonna. 

Seeking Interim Co-Executive Director

Seeking Interim Co-Executive Director, Programs & Operations Parental Leave Backfill

Support healthy, sustainable, just food practices and systems. Improve the health and nutrition of kids and youth. Make local, sustainable food accessible. Connect communities through food. 

If you are an experienced executive driven by these goals, you should become Growing Chefs’ Interim Co-Executive Director, Programs & Operations!

Why Growing Chefs?

Growing Chefs is a dynamic non-profit organization that works with food professionals and educators to get kids excited about healthy, sustainable food. For over 15 years, we’ve been growing our programs and our ties to the community. We plan to continue building on our successful foundation to become one of the leading education and advocacy organizations in our field. 

We have a caring people-first culture in which we value our staff and nurture their growth. We support staff at all levels in meeting their personal and workplace goals. Our staff love their work and have a great deal of respect for each other. 

Growing Chefs is committed to equity. We encourage people who face barriers to employment to apply, and if there is anything we can do to shape the recruitment process to best fit their needs to let us know. 

Contract Type: Full-time, 35 hours per week, fixed-term contract with end date in May 2023.

Salary: $80,000 – $95,000 annually

Benefits: Health and dental plan; four weeks paid vacation per year + paid winter shutdown per year; 10 paid personal wellness days per year (aka sick days); 35-hour work week; annual professional development funding; paid volunteer days; flexible work hours. 

Location: Lower Mainland preferred; access to dog-friendly office but freedom to work remotely from within B.C. Office location is the SpencerCreo Centre at 610 Main Street, Vancouver.

Executive Director’s Roles and Responsibilities

Working closely with the Board of Directors, the Co-Executive Directors (Co-EDs) provide leadership for the staff, programs, organizational operations, and the execution of the Growing Chefs mission. The Co-EDs support the development and implementation of the strategic and operational plans that guide the organization. 

The Co-ED, Programs & Operations is responsible for:

  • Overseeing the development, delivery, and operations of all Growing Chefs programming and related activities

  • Establishing good working relationships and collaborative arrangements with community groups, funders, politicians, school districts, and other organizations 

  • Developing and overseeing programming budgets, finances and financial reporting

  • Risk management planning and mitigation 

  • Overseeing HR administration 

  • Working closely with the Co-ED, Communications & Engagement on:

    • Implementing our strategic plan 

    • Nurturing our people and culture 

    • Ensuring effective and efficient operations 

    • Engaging with funders

    • Communicating and engaging with our communities

    • Acting as the public face of the organization

The Co-EDs work closely with the Chair(s) and report to the Board of Directors.

Qualifications

We are looking for :

  • A passionate changemaker connected to the vision and mission of Growing Chefs

  • An innovative and dynamic leader with three or more years experience and a proven track record of successfully leading a medium-sized non-profit organization (or similar experience)

  • A creative and strategic thinker and decision-maker with a systems change approach

  • A background in program delivery, food literacy, or education

  • Demonstrated ability to use a complex problem-solving approach and to act decisively when needed

  • Demonstrated success in building and supporting a nurturing, respectful people and culture practice culture that helps staff thrive

  • Demonstrated ability to grow strong relationships with a wide range of community partners

  • Excellent communication skills: written, verbal, and presentation

  • Demonstrated ability to work with a range of online collaborative workplace systems

  • Experience in managing a budget and financial reporting

  • Skills in operational management, infrastructure, and capacity building 

  • Experience with IT systems, tools, software related to organizational function, financial management, administration, fundraising, or similar

  • Knowledge of the hospitality and education fields in B.C., as well as an understanding of governance best practices, would be an asset

Interested in a more complete job description? Awesome! Click here to see more of the nitty gritty.

To Apply: Please visit and submit your application via Workable

Applications will be reviewed and interviews scheduled as we receive them. 

Introducing our new Co-Executive Directors

DEAR FRIENDS OF GROWING CHEFS,

We at Growing Chefs have two amazing announcements to share. First, it is with great pleasure that we announce the hiring of Co-Executive Directors, Amanda Adams and Jaydeen Williams. We are excited to have two people that live the Growing Chefs mission, vision and values to lead our beloved charity into the future. The internal promotion of these two fabulous leaders also creates space in the organization for staff to grow and flourish under their tutelage. 

The Co-ED model supports the development and implementation of the strategic plan that guides the organization. The Co-EDs provide leadership for the staff, programs, organizational operations, and the execution of the Growing Chefs mission. Both Co-EDs report directly to the Board of Directors, through the Chair/Co-Chairs.

Amanda and Jaydeen have been with Growing Chefs for eight and seven years respectively and were previously in Director roles. 

As Co-Executive Directors, Amanda and Jaydeen will be responsible for:

  • Developing and ensuring implementation of the strategic plan alongside the Board of Directors

  • People and culture

  • Organizational operations

  • Acting as the public face of the organization

Additionally, as Co-ED, Communications and Engagement, Jaydeen will be specifically responsible for:

  • Donor prospecting, cultivation, and engagement 

  • Communications and community engagement

Additionally, as Co-ED, Programs and Operations, Amanda will be specifically responsible for:

  • Overseeing the development, delivery, and operations of all Growing Chefs programming and related activities

  • Advocacy and community partner engagement

We are also excited to announce that Amanda and her partner are expecting! Amanda will be taking parental leave beginning July-ish (not always the easiest thing, predicting when babies will join us outside of the womb!) The board and staff wish Amanda and her growing family health and happiness as they embark on this new stage of life. Amanda has big shoes to fill, but Growing Chefs will be looking to hire a special individual to help out during Amanda’s parental leave.

If you are interested in becoming Growing Chefs’ Interim Co-Executive Director, Programs & Operations please check out our call for applications to find out more about this role and how to apply.

We are so enthused about what the future looks like under the guidance of these two amazing humans, who have already taken on many of these responsibilities and have shown incredible leadership and vision. Please join us in wishing them congratulations and continued success!

Sincerely,

Ted and Brent, Co-Chairs, on behalf of the Board of Directors

A Growing Team at Growing Chefs - Welcome Kelly!

GROWING CHEFS WELCOMES A NEW ISLAND TEAM MEMBER! WE’RE SO HAPPY TO WELCOME YOU KELLY!

Hello! My name is Kelly and I am the new Victoria Program Coordinator at Growing Chefs! I’m so excited to be able to work with so many passionate educators, chefs, gardeners, nutritionists and other inspirational community members to help kids & communities become more connected to their food. 

I was born here in what is now known as Victoria, on the unceded Coast Salish Territories of the Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples. I completed a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies at UBC in 2015 and throughout my undergrad, I was fortunate to have been able to take part in several experiential learning opportunities that were transformational for me.

In my third year, I went on an incredible 6-month exchange to Lund, Sweden, which is when I started to embrace lagom -  a Swedish term for “not too little, not too much” and basically the Swedish art of living a balanced, happy life. I also began to develop a healthy connection to the community I lived in and the food I ate by joining one of the Student Nation clubs that hosted weekly dinners and other events where all the food was prepared and cooked for and by students. From fika (coffee breaks), to sittnings (dinner parties), to smorgasbords (feasts), so many fun social times revolved around food!  

For most of my life, I didn’t realize how disconnected I was to the food I ate and the environment I lived in. However, that definitely changed during my undergrad. While working in food services on-campus, I noticed there was a tremendous amount of food waste which made me think more critically about our current food systems - How can we reduce our food waste? How is compost made and why is it important? Where does our food come from and how is it produced? How can I grow my own food? I was also living and working in the student residences and noticed that many students knew very little about how to grow or cook their own food. 

I connected with various food security organizations and began to get more involved in helping combat local food insecurity. I volunteered for several non-profit organizations as well as at the Indigenous Health Garden at the UBC farm; which led me to complete an 8-month practicum in Sustainable Agriculture - another incredible transformational journey! One of the highlights of the practicum program for me was being a part of the sustainable food movement on campus in multiple ways. As a server at one of the restaurants on campus that purchased produce from the UBC farm during the summer and fall months, it was super cool to be able to provide a personal ‘farm to table’ service to the restaurant guests.  

While completing the practicum at the farm, I also started a backyard apiary in Kitsilano as part of Vancouver’s Greenest Neighbourhood Small Grant Program. For several years, I ran community workshops on sustainable food systems, food literacy, the importance of pollinators and apitherapy.

Having experienced firsthand the power of experiential and place-based education in creating a transformational educational experience led me to pursue a Masters of Education for Sustainability at UBC.  We explored the concepts of food security, mutual aid and decolonization. I helped coordinate a community fridge pilot in 2020, which led to the establishment of the first LOAF (Local Open Access Fridge).

Then in early 2021, I moved back home and learned about some of the very last culturally & ecologically vital ancient forests that are at-risk of being clearcut logged. For my capstone project, I helped organize community engaged learning trips to Ada'itsx (Fairy Creek) near Port Renfrew on unceded Pacheedaht and Dididaht territories in an effort to understand the issue better and see how we could offer support. I’m so grateful to have been able to learn from local Indigenous Elders and Matriarchs, attend Indigenous-led ceremonies, and to get to know many of the incredible individuals advocating for a liveable future for all.

In my spare time I enjoy nature walks with my 12yr old pup, cooking, gardening and DIY projects. I am very passionate about sustainable food systems, community development, education, reconciliation and decolonization. Reconnecting with our food, nature, and community through experiential learning opportunities like the ones offered by Growing Chefs is critical for creating meaningful changes, so I’m so grateful to be able to support such programs and look forward to connecting with the Growing Chefs community!

A Growing Team at Growing Chefs - Welcome Jay!

A big Growing Chefs WELCOME to our newest team member! We’re so lucky to have you JAY!

Hey y’all! My name is Jay (Jana) and I am so excited to be a part of the Growing Chefs team as Programs Coordinator/Chef Educator. The first time I heard about this amazing organization I was feeling a bit unfulfilled and was wanting to find ways to give back to my community. As I sat in a diner in East Van, scrolling Instagram, I saw a call out for volunteers. I did a bit of research and found that Growing Chefs would combine my love of food and my love of working with kids into one! I knew I had to apply to be a part of it. That was in 2018 and I have enjoyed volunteering with Growing Chefs ever since. 

I have made a career of working in restaurants in a variety of positions. I have served, cooked, bartended, and managed in a variety of settings, but a couple of years ago I got the opportunity to run a series of children’s cooking classes over the summer. I was able to develop multiple age-appropriate menus and oversaw the classes. It was one of the most rewarding things I have ever done! 

My love of food wasn’t sparked until I was in my mid-20s. Until then, I’d worked in restaurants primarily for the social aspect of connecting with my coworkers and community. It wasn’t until I went away to work in a remote camp in Alberta that I discovered my love for creating delicious food. That job also gave me the freedom to start travelling and discovering other cultures and their foods. Thai street food will always have a special place in my heart. 

Once I settled back in Vancouver I brought two special little creatures into my life. I adopted bonded Boston Terriers named Bobby and Dana and they became my world. I wanted to be the best pet parent that one could be. Dana still remains with me to this day and she now has a new brother, Theo the kitten. On top of being a pet parent I also enjoy playing team sports. In the fall and winter I play dodgeball and in the spring and summer I play softball. If I am not snuggling my animals or playing a sport you will likely find me in my kitchen creating food for the folks I love or else working on a puzzle.