Chef
Poyan
Danesh

Chef Poyan has been heavily involved in the British Columbia culinary scene since graduating top of his class at Vancouver Community College. Poyan is currently Culinary Director at Ocean Mama Seafood as well as Treasurer and Competition Chair for the Chefs Table Society of BC.

Named 2013 British Columbia Chef of the year and 2009 Canadian and British Columbia's Culinary Apprentice of the Year, Chef Poyan has spent years competing in the National and International Competitions. He was one of 4 chefs that represented Canada in the World Culinary Olympics in Germany in 2012, placing 4th in the world. He was also honoured with the position of Captain of the Olympic Culinary Team of
Chef Poyan Danesh

British Columbia where he led them to a gold in their category, and 4th place finish at the World Culinary Olympics in Germany October of 2008. Poyan was also a member of Culinary Team Canada in 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2012 competing in Luxembourg twice, Basel and in Chicago, winning a total of 9 gold medals and 2 silver medals in total.

He was also on the Board of Directors as Vice President of the BC Chefs association from 2009 – 2013.

Poyan was featured on the Global series “Canada’s Next Great Chef” as BC’s culinary representative and has won many Grand Gold championships at regional competitions around the city. He has also been awarded the Top in Trades award by the Province newspaper and was named one of Vancouver’s rising stars by the Vancouver Sun and VCC alumni of the year in 2007.

Competition History

Click Below to see our Chefs Competition Achievements

Tabs
BC Culinary Apprentice of the Year Competition

Competition Chair

  • Organized and Executed Province Wide Culinary Competition 
  • 12 competitors from across BC competed for the title "Apprentice of the Year"
  • Organized Sponsors, judges, competitors and all aspects of this industry wide event
International Wine Festival - 2018

Vancouver, British Columbia

  • Peoples Choice Award
  • 500 guest Wine Pairing Competition
International Wine Festival - 2017

Vancouver, British Columbia

  • 1st Place - Judges Choice
  • 500 guest Wine Pairing Competition
Culinary Team Canada – Team Member         October 2012

World Culinary Olympics, Eurfurt Germany

  • 4th Place Overall;
  • One of five chefs to represent Canada at the World Culinary Olympics. Gold Entry in Restaurant of Nations and Silver in Cold Culinary Salon.
Culinary Team Canada – Team Member         November 2010

Expo Gastronomique, Luxembourg

  • 5th Place Overall;
  • Double Gold entries in Restaurant of Nations and Cold Culinary Salon.
Culinary Team British Columbia – Team Captain         October 2008

World Culinary Olympics, Eurfurt, Germany

  • 4th Place Overall;
  • Responsible for preparing and presenting the tapas entry, buffet platter and main courses while managing a team of 5 chefs for the cold salon competition.
BC Apprentice of the Year         April 2007

Vancouver, British Columbia

Named BC Apprentice of the year after winning gold at annual Apprentice Competition

Culinary Team Canada – Team Member         May 2007

American Culinary Classics, Chicago, USA

  • 2nd Place Overall;
  • Responsible for preparing and presenting the tapas entry and the three course meal entry for the cold salon competition. Also responsible for organizing, preparing and cooking the appetizer for the hot competition with the team for the “Restaurant of Nations” category.
Okanagan Culinary Salon - March 2006

Kelowna, BC

  • Grand Gold, Tapas, Professional Category.
BC Knorr Culinary Champion         April 2006

Vancouver Community College, Vancouver, BC

  • Gold, BC Knorr Champion.
Canada’s Next Great Chef         June 2006
  • BC Representative for Season 2 of Global TV competition.
Culinary Team Canada – Support Member         October 2006

Expo Gastronomique , Luxembourg, Germany

  • Gold, Team Category;
  • Assisted Culinary Team Canada at World Expo. Responsible for preparation of the three course meal and the Lacto-Ovo Platter for four entries for the cold Salon Culinare. Also assisted team with preparation for “Restaurant of Nations” competition.
Culinary Team Canada – Support Member - November 2005

Igeho, Salon Culinaire Mondial, Basel, Switzerland

  • Grand Gold, Restaurant of Nations, Team Category;
  • Gold, Cold Salon, Team Category;
  • Assisted Culinary Team Canada at World competition with preparation of showpieces of Tapas and Appetizer entries for Cold Salon display. Was responsible for all logistics and shipment of equipment for team. Also responsible for preparation and maintaining of glaze, glazing, plating of showpieces, set-up and tear down of show table.
Culinary Team BC – Support Member - October 2004

World Culinary World Olympics, Eurfurt, Germany

  • Gold, Team Category;
  • Assisted Team British Columbia at World Olympics with preparation of showpieces for Tapas and Pastry category. Responsible for preparation and maintaining of glaze, glazing, plating of showpieces, set-up and tear down of show table, Team meals and general clean up.