Chef Bernard Casavant - Executive Chef
Born and trained in British Columbia, Chef Bernard’s cooking career began with the encouragement of his grandmother and was further nurtured by a career guidance counselor in Grade 9. Torn between a career as a soccer player or a chef, Chef Bernard chose the career that would ensure he would never be hungry. His grandmother instilled a strong work ethic in the young chef, along with “the passion for respecting the food and the people who produce it”.
Chef Bernard completed the Culinary Arts Program at Malaspina College, in Nanaimo, BC in 1976 and at graduation was recognized with the “Most Outstanding Student” award. He received his Certified Chef de Cuisine certification in 1986, one of the inaugural chefs in Canada to complete the exam. Among his culinary achievements, Chef Bernard is a founding board member of Exclusively BC, and charter member of Farm Folk, City Folk, further demonstrating his commitment to eating local and working with the area farmers and producers to present simple honest food. He is a former member of the Provincial board member of the BC Restaurant and Food Association and now sits as Director of BC Culinary Tourism Society that promotes true dining experiences in the province.
Prior to joining Manteo Resort Waterfront Hotel & Villas as Executive Chef, Chef Bernard worked as Executive Sous Chef at the Four Seasons Hotel in Vancouver, Opening Executive Chef at the Chateau Whistler Resort, and with his wife, Bonnie owned and operated his self-titled Chef Bernard’s Café in Whistler, before arriving in the Okanagan as Executive Chef of the Sonora Room Restaurant at Burrowing Owl Estate Winery in 2007.
Although Chef Bernard has cooked for prime ministers and movie stars, a prince and princess, celebrities and business tycoons he feels strongly about mentoring young talent and inspiring young chefs to fulfil their dreams. He shares his love of fresh, locally rooted cuisine and takes great pride in seeing his protégés thrive under his leadership. He continues his commitment to the growth and flourishment of the next generation of great chefs as Judge for the BC Apprenticeship Trade Certification exams.
Chef Bernard is a member of the Okanagan Chefs Association and the Canadian Culinary Association.
