Chef
Poyan
Danesh
Chef Poyan Danesh is an award-winning Vancouver-based culinary leader known for his precision, creativity, and deep commitment to excellence. A graduate of Vancouver Community College—where he finished top of his class—he has been a driving force in British Columbia’s culinary scene for over a decade.
Poyan’s career is defined by both competitive achievement and industry leadership. He was named British Columbia Chef of the Year in 2013 and again in 2022, and earlier earned recognition as Canadian and BC Culinary Apprentice of the Year. His passion for competition led him to represent Canada on the world stage multiple times as a member of Culinary Team Canada, earning numerous gold medals across international events in Luxembourg, Basel, and Chicago.
A standout moment in his career came at the World Culinary Olympics in Germany, where he represented Canada and achieved a 4th-place global finish. He also served as Captain of the British Columbia Culinary Team, leading them to a gold medal performance in their category.
Beyond competition, Chef Danesh has built a reputation as a mentor, innovator, and industry contributor. He has served as Vice President of the BC Chefs’ Association and continues to play a key role as Competition Chair for the Chefs’ Table Society of BC, helping shape the next generation of culinary talent.
Professionally, Poyan has worked across a wide range of culinary roles—from fine dining kitchens, including time at Pear Tree Restaurant in Burnaby, to leading his own catering and consulting company. Today, he serves as owner/operator of MAVA Foods, where he focuses on product innovation, sustainability, and elevating offerings for modern consumers.
In addition to his operational work, Chef Danesh provides culinary consulting services across Vancouver, including menu development, product design, food styling, and restaurant concept development. His ability to blend technical expertise with creative vision has made him a trusted partner for both established brands and emerging businesses.
Recognized as one of Vancouver’s “rising stars” early in his career and featured on national television as a competitor on Canada’s Next Great Chef, Poyan continues to push the boundaries of his craft while contributing to a stronger, more collaborative culinary community.
Poyan’s career is defined by both competitive achievement and industry leadership. He was named British Columbia Chef of the Year in 2013 and again in 2022, and earlier earned recognition as Canadian and BC Culinary Apprentice of the Year. His passion for competition led him to represent Canada on the world stage multiple times as a member of Culinary Team Canada, earning numerous gold medals across international events in Luxembourg, Basel, and Chicago.
A standout moment in his career came at the World Culinary Olympics in Germany, where he represented Canada and achieved a 4th-place global finish. He also served as Captain of the British Columbia Culinary Team, leading them to a gold medal performance in their category.
Beyond competition, Chef Danesh has built a reputation as a mentor, innovator, and industry contributor. He has served as Vice President of the BC Chefs’ Association and continues to play a key role as Competition Chair for the Chefs’ Table Society of BC, helping shape the next generation of culinary talent.
Professionally, Poyan has worked across a wide range of culinary roles—from fine dining kitchens, including time at Pear Tree Restaurant in Burnaby, to leading his own catering and consulting company. Today, he serves as owner/operator of MAVA Foods, where he focuses on product innovation, sustainability, and elevating offerings for modern consumers.
In addition to his operational work, Chef Danesh provides culinary consulting services across Vancouver, including menu development, product design, food styling, and restaurant concept development. His ability to blend technical expertise with creative vision has made him a trusted partner for both established brands and emerging businesses.
Recognized as one of Vancouver’s “rising stars” early in his career and featured on national television as a competitor on Canada’s Next Great Chef, Poyan continues to push the boundaries of his craft while contributing to a stronger, more collaborative culinary community.
