Culinary Stage

Join local chefs to learn insider tips for preparing and cooking delicious seafood dishes at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site.

Tickets are free; however, there are limited tickets available. Tickets will be released 30 minutes before the demonstration time on a first come, first serve basis. Please go to the Tourism Richmond table outside the Gulf of Georgia Cannery.

Please note: no samples will be provided at the cooking demos.

May 21, 2022

Chef Ian Lai, Executive Director and chef of Urban Bounty

11:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Spot prawns prepared three ways with less than five ingredients – it’s really that simple. Showcase the flavour and texture of this incredible fresh ingredient. Seasonality at its peak.

Ian is a chef educator, beekeeper, yogi, and rock climber. He lives and works in Richmond and is the Executive Director of Urban Bounty (a program of the Richmond Food Security Society). Ian has 15 years of environmental education and project management experience. He has a background in teaching in diverse and inclusive spaces and is committed to building a resilient community. Ian loves collaborating and building strategic partnerships to bring joy and meaning to food.

Chef Viray of Globe@YVR, Fairmont Vancouver Airport

1:30 PM – 2:00 PM

Whole BC Spot Prawns I Okanagan White Wine Garlic Butter Sauce, Snipped Chives, Filone

Peter’s passion for food and cooking developed at an early age as he spent time alongside his parents and grandparents in the restaurant industry in his native Philippines. After moving to Canada, Peter formally launched his culinary career, holding a variety of positions and fine-tuning his skills. At the encouragement of his mentors, Peter was soon accepted into an apprenticeship program with Glowbal Group where he worked his way up to Chef de Partie. Keen to continue learning and broaden his knowledge of Italian cuisine, he left Glowbal Group to hold progressive positions at Cotto Enoteca Pizzeria and later, Frankie’s Italian Kitchen. Peter joined Fairmont Vancouver Airport as First Cook in 2017 and was recently promoted to Junior Sous Chef.

Chef Sushila Narain of Steveston Seafood House

2:30 PM – 3:00 PM

Blackened Salmon | Fresh tomato and garlic + Pacific shrimp with herbs

A staple in the Steveston community & at the Steveston Seafood House since 1980 (that’s 42 years) Chef Sushila has literally cooked over one million meals at the restaurant. Her favourite part of working at the restaurant is the people she gets to work with & the guests she’s met along the way. Voted 𝑩𝑬𝑺𝑻 𝑪𝑯𝑬𝑭 𝑰𝑵 𝑹𝑰𝑪𝑯𝑴𝑶𝑵𝑫 in 2021 she also is a grandma & her favourite pastime is cooking up gourmet baby food. The Steveston Seafood House is the original seafood house in Steveston & the traditional spot for oysters, scallops & local wild BC salmon, and prawns.  Serving the Steveston community for 45 years now.

May 22, 2022

Chef Allen Hsu of Westerleigh PARC

1:30 PM – 2:00 PM

Spot Prawn Ceviche

2:30 PM – 3:00 PM

Salmon Butchery

Allen is a Red Seal Certified Chef who has over 19 years of experience in the culinary and hospitality industry. He started his culinary experience at Vancouver Community College back in 1999 where he found passion in delivering innovative cuisine. Since then and prior to joining PARC Retirement Living, Allen has worked at Seasons in the Park, Vancouver Convention Centre, Pan Pacific Hotel, River Rock Casino Resort, and other Great Canadian Gaming Corporation Casinos. 

Allen most enjoys the fast-paced, hands-on work environment required in the culinary industry. There’s an endless opportunity to learn new things and he loves that each day is never the same. Outside of work, Allen stays active by playing basketball and spending time with his kids.

Mr. Brian Cooper of Mr. Cooper’s Pies

3:30 PM – 4:00 PM

Steveston Seafood Pie

At 69 years young, Brian has been a lover of meat pies since he was a young lad and raised his two children on his dad’s coveted recipes. He is known for his witty charm and outgoing personality plus he makes a mean meat pie!

Mr. Cooper’s Pies is a local, family-owned small business operating in the heart of Steveston Village with big dreams of being the province’s leading savoury pie manufacturers! Making homemade meat & chicken pies, just like their grandfather grew up eating in Coventry, England. They pride themselves on the generous use of farm-fresh ingredients and are packed with protein! Now available in over 80 retail locations across B.C.