Nearly a year ago we broke the news that Chow restaurant on South Granville was closing. It was a beautiful space, so I was very sad to see it go. What was especially disappointing what this its greatest asset – owner/chef Jean-Christophe Poirier – followed up the closure by leaving the country for South America. I assumed we wouldn’t be seeing him again for quite some time, if ever, but I’m glad to report that he’s back in town and taking the chef de cuisine reins at Main Street’s Campagnolo. We’ve seen advance copy of the press release that will announce his arrival tomorrow. Read it and rejoice after the leap…
Restaurant Owners Tom Doughty, Robert Belcham and Tim Pittman are pleased to welcome Jean Christophe (JC) Poirier as the new Chef de Cuisine of Campagnolo Restaurant. As Chef de Cuisine, Poirier is responsible for the day-to-day kitchen operations and menu development of the highly regarded Italian eatery located in the eclectic east side of Vancouver, BC.
“JC’s undeniable skill and enthusiasm for creating incredible food with integrity is an asset to Campagnolo’s commitment to quality ingredients and employee development.” said Robert Belcham, proprietor of Campagnolo Restaurant. “His experience and ability to bring forth new ideas strengthens our kitchen team and supports our overall vision.”
Poirier joins Campagnolo with an extensive background in the culinary field with more than ten years of experience, from garde manger at Les Remparts in Quebec, to chef de partie at Toqué!, consistently voted one of the best restaurants in Montreal, and finally executive chef and proprietor of Chow Restaurant in Vancouver, voted one of the top 20 restaurants in Canada by En Route Magazine, before it closed it’s doors in 2009. His familiarity and genuine passion for the culinary industry has taken him from the east coast of Canada and back. Despite his adventures, he remains loyal to his roots in the Pacific Northwest.
Poirier is no stranger to Vancouver, in addition to owning his own successful restaurant Chow, Jean Christophe has cooked with Rob Feenie as chef de partie of Lumière and worked alongside Robert Belcham as chef de partie butcher at C Restaurant.
“The culinary scene is dramatically changing in Vancouver.” says Jean Christophe. “I am thrilled to be working with Belcham and the Campagnolo team during this incredibly exciting time.”
Jean Christophe has been travelling around Latin America for the past year, investigating the gastronomy of Chile and Argentina. He returns to Vancouver on April 21, 2010 and will officially begin his role as chef de cuisine of Campagnolo Restaurant on May 1st.
What about Alvin?
I absolutely loved Chow and it was the first restaurant in Vancouver that I said, “there . . . that’s what I’ve been looking for”. Now I can look forward to it again!
Alvin and his lovely fiance, Brooke Lodge (a cook at refuel) are moving to the Okanagan Valley together to continue their lifelong passion for great food and wine and to reconnect with old friends and farmers alike. Rob, Tim and I can’t thank Alvin (and Brooke) enough for their dedication and hard work within our company and neither restaurant will be the same without them. Bon Voyage guys!
I wish Al and Brooke all the best.
This is some bad-ass news though out of left field.
Well done.
Wow! To have JC back in Van cooking again will be hot! Cant wait to see what he creates italian style. Bring it on!
Great to see JC back. Soon enough – I hope – he’ll have his own space again. Chow’s food was too good for him not to.