The GOODS from West

Vancouver, BC | The Hawksworth Young Chef Scholarship is the most demanding culinary competition for emerging chefs in Canada, and on Saturday, September 17th, West Restaurant’s Sous Chef Alex Hon won the top prize in front of a nationally comprised panel of judges including Normand Laprise (Toqué! and Brasserie T!), Anthony Walsh (Oliver & Bonacini Restaurants), Jacob Richler, and David Hawksworth.

Earlier this year, the competition pitted 40 of the country’s emerging culinary talents against each other in regional run-offs in Calgary, Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. The top eight advanced to the black box finals where Alex brought home the coveted 2016 title for his Carrot Butter-Poached Veal Tenderloin, Potato and Celery Root with Dungeness Crab entree and Almond Cake with Fresh Mango and Lemongrass Creme Legere dessert.

Vancouverite Alex Hon has been an integral part of the West kitchen brigade for seven years, carefully honing his skills in concert with Executive Chef Quang Dang. A graduate of the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts, Alex has placed highly in several other culinary competitions, including a silver medal in the BCCA Junior Chef Competition.

Now the Sous Chef at West, Alex is devoted to using the most sustainable products possible and is also keenly aware of the importance of developing ongoing relationships with local purveyors. In fact, it is his intuitive sense of local and seasonal ingredients, and their preparation, that earned him his current position.

“Of course I’m absolutely thrilled to win this competition,” Alex said. “It was a very spirited contest, and I would like to thank my fellow competitors, the judges and, of course, my long-time mentor, Executive Chef Quang Dang.”

The Hawksworth Young Chef Scholarship Foundation is a culinary arts non-profit created to recognize and inspire young Canadian chefs, whilst promoting professionalism and culinary excellence within the hospitality industry. Through its national annual competition, the program provides a platform for talented young chefs to get a head start with an unparalleled opportunity to work in the country’s leading restaurants. The winner of the competition receives $10,000 and a stage at a selected top international restaurant.

DETAILS

2881 Granville St. | Vancouver | MAP
Voice: 604-738-8938
Web: westrestaurant.com
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Lunch 11:30am-2:30pm Daily | Dinner 5:30-10:30pm Sun-Thu | 5:30-11pm on Fri-Sat | Bar 5:30pm-late Daily | Brunch 10:30am-2:30pm Sat-Sun

Gallery

Our Team

Quang Dang, Executive Chef
Rhonda Viani, Pastry Chef
Owen Knowlton, Wine Director & Restaurant Director
Giovanni Giardino, Restaurant Manager
Stacey Ackerman, Bar Manager

About West Restaurant

Contemporary Regional Cuisine

Recognized as the ‘jewel in Vancouver’s culinary crown’, West Restaurant’s outstanding contemporary regional cuisine and seamless service has earned much critical acclaim. Pristine seasonal ingredients are sourced to deliver superbly conceived dishes offering modern interpretations of classics.

For those keen to observe ‘behind the scenes’ action and experience West from a unique perspective, the two ‘chef’s tables’ can be found directly adjacent to the presentation kitchen. One of the highlights of the dining room is a temperature-controlled wall of wine, and under it, the long cherry wood bar that gracefully anchors the conversation—where martinis and cocktails are composed of fresh herbs, juices and creative infusions.

A Werner Forster installation floats under the ceiling—a study of light and motion. The leather chairs are the Mario Bellini designed originals found at MOMA, surrounding etched stone tabletops, highlighting a handsome and inviting room that speaks to contemporary Vancouver.

Accolades

Wine List Award, Silver
Vancouver International Wine Festival, 2015-2016

Top 100 Best Restaurants in Canada
OpenTable, 2016

Wine List Award, Silver
Vancouver International Wine Festival, 2015

‘Best of’ Award of Excellence
Wine Spectator, 2013-2015

Four-Star Restaurant Award
Forbes Travel Guide, 2014

Best West Side, Honourable Mention
Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, 2014

Wine List Award, Gold
Vancouver International Wine Festival, 2013

Best Upscale Restaurant, Honourable Mention
Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, 2013

Best of the City “Gold for Best West Coast Cuisine”
Westender Reader’s Choice Award, 2013

Certificate of Excellence
Trip Advisor, 2013

Achievement of Distinction in Dining
DiRoNA, 2013

Silver, Executive Chef Quang Dang
Gold Medal Plates, 2012

Wine List Award, Platinum (Best Overall)
Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival, 2012

Top 50 Restaurants in Canada
Vacay.ca 2012

Best Formal Restaurant, Silver
Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, 2011

Sommelier of the Year, Owen Knowlton
Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival, 2011

Four Diamond Award
AAA / CAA, 2011

Restaurant of the Year, Bronze
Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, 2009- 2010

Best Service
Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, 2007, 2009-2010

Best Last Course, Bronze
Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, 2004, 2007, 2009-2010

Restaurant of the Year, Gold
Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, 2003, 2005- 2008

Best Last Course, Silver
Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, 2005

Best Small Plate, Bronze
Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, 2004-2005

Best Restaurant of the Year, Silver
Best Contemporary Regional Restaurant, Bronze
Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, 2004

Best Contemporary Regional Restaurant, Gold
Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, 2003

Guest Chef Dinner @ James Beard House
Two sold out events at the prestigious James Beard Foundation, New York City, 2006 + 2002