I was born and raised in the small border city of Lloydminster, Alberta, in a family where good food—and sharing it—mattered. My parents always taught me that if I wanted something in life, I’d have to work for it, so at 13 I landed my first job at a local fast food joint. From that point on, kitchens became a part of my story.

After high school, I took a practical path and studied petroleum engineering, supporting myself by cooking in a pub while working my way through university. I spent nearly a decade working in oil and gas, but deep down, I knew something was missing. The work was steady, but it wasn’t feeding my soul.

Eventually, I took the leap: I left my job, packed my bags, and spent a year traveling, reflecting, and exploring what I truly cared about. I realized that food—cooking, sharing, and connecting with people around the table—was what inspired me most.

So, I followed my heart into the culinary world. I trained at the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts in Vancouver, then crossed the ocean to apprentice with some of Europe’s most inspiring chefs, including the legendary Massimo Bottura and his team in Modena, Italy. Each kitchen, each city, and each mentor shaped the way I cook and the kind of chef I wanted to become.

Returning to Alberta, I found myself, by a stroke of luck, with the opportunity to take over a small corner café. That chance became Apprentice Cafe—a place to share my love of food, hospitality, and connection with my community. The rest, as they say, is history.