A few months ago, we led a nation wide search for our next Head Chef. After receiving applicants from across the country, we narrowed our sights onto two incredibly talented candidates.
We announced our choice chef, celebrated the addition, and just two days later said goodbye. When you know - you know - and the volume and pace of our kitchen wasn’t the right for him. It was the first time we really understood how blessed we are to have such a busy restaurant, and realized that not everyone moves at the same speed we do.
It was a challenge, to say the least. Letting our team know of another change in leadership was tough, but we were all incredibly grateful that we found out sooner than later that we picked the wrong candidate.
We were in the middle of working on our spring menu, a huge change from our heavy winter focused dishes - a menu that is instrumental in setting us up for success over the busy spring and summer months. Luckily, since day one, our menu building process was a collaborative one - never relying on one single person to create, but instead brainstorming as a team to build on ideas, concepts, and refine until we get it *just* right. The team work between our sous chef, Chef de Partie, Chef de Boulangerie and our management team was fluid, easy, and most importantly FUN. Like, hella fun. It was a reminder of why we got into this industry, and why we stay in it. We were able to put together one of our favourite menus to date, and we thoroughly enjoyed the process.
The month after our short lived chef choice left and our spring menu launched successfully, it was evident that we had what we needed all along.
It is with great pleasure, huge pride, and overwhelming joy that we officially announce our new Head Chef - Tamara Solon.
Chef Solon has been with the Chartier family since inception, and her work ethic and passion for making people happy with food is unparalleled. In our entire combined hospitality career, we have never met someone so trustworthy, kind, and excited about food. She cares about our producers and farmers, roots for their success, and genuinely values the heart and soul they pour into their craft. She is tough - Beyonce in a wind fan tough - Chuck Norris wrestling a grizzly bear tough - beef jerky in the snow tough (you get the idea) - without being cold, or distant. She cooks with heart, she is humble and eager to learn and grow every single day. On top of all that, she had multiple letters of support from her colleagues during our Head Chef search, showing the respect and dedication she leads her team with.
We have unwavering faith in the direction that Chef Tamara is taking Chartier, and we feel more confident (and happier) than ever that we are headed in the right direction - making our guests happy and loved in a medium we all understand; food.
If you see Chef Tamara buzzing around the dining room, please feel free to give her a hug, a high five, and a hello - she would love to meet you.
Thank you to everyone for your feedback, your loyalty, and your kindness during so much change - we are eternally grateful.
Love,
Darren and Sylvia Cheverie
