Vancouver is home to some of the best chefs in the world, many have worked for the top chefs and restaurants around the world as well as around the city. Dishing with the Chefs is a series of Interviews with some of the top chefs in and around Vancouver.

At 8 years old, I made crepes and omelets for my family. At 18, I moved to Banff and became a dishwasher at the Voyageur Inn, I was into snowboarding there. At 19, I moved to Whistler to snowboard then worked in construction and eventually moved on to work as a waiter for 3 years. At 22, I moved to Vancouver and worked as a cook at the Old Spaghetti Factory, then I decided to go to school for culinary arts, enrolling in VCC Culinary (1 year program). I then got a job at Aqua Riva as the Chef De Partie which I had for 2 years. I joined the Beach House working part time and then at the same time worked at Hotel Vancouver in Griffins and 900 West as Chef de Partie, moving my way up the ladder to banquets. I ended up doing my apprenticeship and got my red seal while I was working at Hotel Vancouver. Then I went to the Vancouver Convention Centre for 2 years (working for Center Plate which owns the Vancouver Convention Centre food service operations), I was sent to New Orleans to reopen the Superdome. I also did a 20,000 person plated 3 course dinner at the George Brown Convention Centre in Washington, DC. In 2009, I worked at the Delta Vancouver Suites Hotel as the Banquet Chef, and in 2010 joined the Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier as their Executive Chef and have been here ever since.

You can follow Chef Joel Green on twitter @ChefJoelGreen and on instagram chefjoelgreen

Looking back from the beginning of your career, what has been the driving force to date?

I always wanted to be an Executive Chef of a hotel by the time I was 40 years old. I got this job when I was 39. I like to live like a millionaire without being a millionaire.

What challenges are there at the hotel between running the restaurant and banquets?

When both things are cracking there just isn’t enough space in the kitchen to run it all. I have one sous chef and eleven crew, I am really excited as we just hired another sous chef to work in my kitchen.

What is one of your forte’s on the banquets side?

We do 50 weddings a year and win awards every year. I have taken the best of the best ideas from chefs that I have worked for.

What are your favourite Foods to eat?

Braised meats, fresh seafood, halibut, salads

What are your favourite restaurants to eat in Vancouver outside of where you work?

Indian Fusion

The Portly Chef

Café Cava

What do you like to do in your Off Time?

Play soccer

Snowboarding

Beach stuff

1^st dish:

Roasted Lamb

Parsley buttered gnocchi

Roasted parsnips

Housemade marmalade

Mint gelee

Inspiration:

Inspired by my marmalade from there I was trying it with meats, then I tried it with the lamb and it was amazing.

I understand you play soccer on your hotel team, tell me more

There is a soccer league comprised of teams representing most of the hotels in the city, we play every Monday night on the turf at Van Tech.

2^nd dish:

Halibut Boullabaisse

Mussels

Prawns

Clams

Salmon

Ling cod

Coconut tomato broth

Pan seared halibut

Inspiration:

Fresh seafood from the sea and I just wanted to put this all together and taking a boullabaisse to the next level with the halibut addition.

What is your favourite style of wine?

Syrah

What wine are you drinking now?

Sandhill Syrah

Stay tuned for the next chef in the Dishing with the Chef series.

By: Richard Wolak