ADMINISTRATIVE
KIMBERLEY PAYNE
Executive Director
After re-joining Huron United Way in 2004 as executive director, Kimberley revitalized the struggling operation through successful campaigns and renewed partnerships with community organizations. Previously, she was executive director for a resource and help centre in Tilbury, Ont. a full service organization providing transportation, counselling services, a food bank and other vital community needs. A founding member of Mapletree Housing Corporation, charter member of Lake Huron Learning Collaborative and recipient of the Avon Maitland Board of Education Excellence in Education Award, Kimberley is committed to life long learning and vibrant communities built on partnerships. Currently she a member of Stratford City Centre Committee, (co-chair of Events and Beautification), and Chair of the Education Committee of Savour Stratford.
Kimberley and her partner Wayne enjoy sampling restaurants of School Alumni whenever possible, and is an ardent supporter and promoter of our graduates. She is absolutely delighted to be here and looks forward to helping take Stratford Chefs School to even greater heights in the culinary world.
KIM COSGROVE
Executive Assistant
Originally from Stratford, Kim received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Queen’s University before returning to Stratford to attend the Stratford Chefs School, graduating with honours in 2003. Kim has worked at a number of restaurants including The Green Room at the Stratford Festival; York Street Kitchen, Rundles and Bijou in Stratford; and Vinehaven Bakery in Niagara. As well she has staged in California at Oliveto in Oakland and Terra in St. Helena, Napa Valley; and at Avalon in Toronto. Before accepting her current position, Kim spent three years at the Stratford Chefs School as a cookery instructor where she taught Level 1 Practical Cookery, Commodities, Larder and Level 2 Restaurant Labs.
ROBERT FRIESEN
Admissions & Alumni Development
FACULTY
KATHLYN BELL
Teaching Assistant—Service I, Kitchen Management I, Foodstyle Levels 1 & 2; Student Coordinator
A graduate of the school’s first class, Kathy has worked at both The Old Prune and Rundles. She is currently dining room manager at Rundles and has worked at the school since 1987 as purchaser, instructor and now as student coordinator and teaching assistant to James Morris.
JOHN BEX
Pastry Instructor
John Willam Bex was born in London, England, and graduated with Chef and Advanced Pastry and Breadmaking papers from Westminster College and Park Lane Hotel, London.
John's extensive experience in Europe includes that of Pastry Chef at the prestigious Claridge's Hotel, London. He moved to Canada in 1980 to take a position as Pastry Chef at the Inn on the Park, Toronto. During his tenure at the this hotel, John helped design the Advanced Pastry courses at George Brown College and also taught there. Since taking up residence in Stratford, John has taught at the Stratford Chefs School and was Pastry Chef at the Church Restasurant. In recent years he has focused on his bread and pastry business based in Kitchener/Waterloo.
His specialities include sugar and chocolate work.
MARK BROWN
Food Costing Instructor
Mark Brown was raised spending weekends visiting the surrounding farmer's markets and Mennonite farms for fresh eggs, vegetables, meats and preserves. Originally an engineer in training, Mark looked to recapture his connection to food and the memories of his up-bringing. Upon graduating the Small and Medium Enterprise Management Program at Algonquin College, he went on to enroll in the Stratford Chefs School. While attending school Mark spent some time apprenticing at the Langdon Hall Country House Hotel under the Relais Gourmand Chef Jonathan Gushue. Grauating with honours in 2009, Mark went on to the role of Chef de Cuisine at the Puddicombe House Restaurant, Spa and B&B in New Hamburg. Currently Mark has accepted a position as junior sous chef training with the Black Hole Bistro at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in Waterloo.
MIKE BOOTH
Purchasing Agent
Mike Booth received a Bachelor of Science degree from Mount Allison University in 1999 before beginning his career in the culinary arts. In 2000, he left Canada for Europe to pursue his dream of becoming a chef. After staging in Borgomanero, Italy, at Michelin-rated Ristorante Pinocchio, he moved to The Netherlands to work in the beer and wine industry. Mike returned to Canada in 2004 to attend the Stratford Chefs School, graduating in 2006. While attending school, he spent two seasons at Rundles Restaurant in Stratford. Mike currently resides in Stratford, working at the chefs school and as the sous chef at Rundles Restaurant.
SEAN COLLINS
Cookery Instructor
At the age of 20, Sean left his field of study, architecture and engineering, to pursue a career in the culinary arts. After working in several different kitchens over the next five years he decided it was time to take the next step and enrolled in the prestigious Stratford Chefs School. While in school he spent two seasons at the Old Prune Restaurant under the watchful eye of Chef Bryan Steele. Sean graduated with honours and is now the Head Chef at Pazzo Ristorante in Stratford.
ELEANOR KANE
Co-Founder & Director; Instructor—Gastronomy Levels 1 & 2
See Founding Directors for bio.
PETER LAVOIE
Wine Instructor Levels 1& 2; Food & Wine Service Instructor
Peter swapped manufacturing for hospitality when he chose to attend the Stratford Chefs School and eventually became front-of-house manager at The Old Prune. In 2004 he obtained his Sommelier diploma through the International Sommelier Guild. He brings a love of wine and a keen interest in the entire dining experience to his work with students.
AARON LINLEY
Cookery Instructor
Aaron Linley grew up in Stratford and attended the Stratford Chefs School (’96), where he met his wife Bronwyn (’96). After a two-year stint as sous chef at Rundles Restaurant, Aaron headed to Halifax to work with Michael Smith at Maple. When Aaron and Bronwyn returned to Stratford in 1999 they opened Bijou, a bustling casual bistro that is a favourite of locals and tourists alike. Today Aaron runs the kitchen at Bijou, while Bronwyn heads the front of house. They reside in Stratford with their two children, Liam and Hazel.
JAMES MORRIS
Co-Founder & Director; Instructor—Kitchen Management & Foodstyle Levels 1 & 2
See Founding Directors for bio.
DIANE SEWELL
Writing Instructor
A resident of Stratford, Diane has over 20 years experience writing for some of the top newspapers and magazines in the country, including The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Reader's Digest, Canadian Living, and others. A graduate of Carleton University's School of Journalism, Diane put herself through school by working in some of Ottawa's finest wine bars and restaurants. In 2006, she co-founded Snap Marketing & Communications, which provides marketing and communications solutions to companies, organizations and governments. Diane believes that good, clear writing is an invaluable skill in every occupation.
BRYAN STEELE
Senior Cookery Instructor
Since 1989, Bryan has been Chef de Cuisine at The Old Prune. After earning a degree in chemistry from Queen's University in Kingston, Ont., Bryan turned his talents to cooking. He trained at Toronto’s George Brown College and completed his apprenticeship in Toronto restaurants, working with Michael Statdlander along the way; he then spent four years working extensively in restaurants in Italy and Germany. His experience with Jean-Georges Vongerichten at Jo-Jo's and with Wayne Nish at March Restaurant in New York has brought American urban touches to Bryan's creations. With a solid base in the classics, The Old Prune's cuisine reflects French, Italian, German, Asian and American cooking influences – a distinctive international cooking style that is worldly and sophisticated yet accessible.
As senior cookery instructor at the Stratford Chefs School over the winter months, Bryan guides young student chefs in cuisine, helping to develop their cooking skills and their palates.
Bryan is married to a chef, Tracy Day, and they have two wonderful daughters, Hannah and Sophia.
MEG WESTLEY
Communications Instructor
Meg’s extensive theatre background prepared her for her current career as an instructor of communication skills. She has been with the Department of Drama and Speech Communication at the University of Waterloo for 16 years and is an author, consultant and facilitator. Meg is also Chair of the Avon Maitland District School Board.