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Savour Chef of the Month-Tyler Groenesteyn

By on March 7, 2013

Codfathers Seafood Market’s Chef Tyler GroenesteynIMG_3153

SA: What inspires you?

TG: Learning something new and building on it! Working here at Codfather’s has been a totally new experience for me. When I started working here it was a new thing for me to be more interactive with customers. In my previous positions, I’ve always been tucked away in the kitchen. What I can tell you is that I smile a lot more now!

SA: What do you love to cook the most?

TG: I enjoy making preserves, all kinds! It a great way to hold on to the flavours and colors of the season. Canning is a great way for me to spend time with my family too. Being able to enjoy the juiciness of a peach in January is just so fun and rewarding!

SA: What style or type of cuisine intrigues you. What style are you drawn to, Asian, Italian etc. why?

TG: Mediterranean or tapas style cooking and dining are a favorite, for the way it can bring people together.

SA: What is your previous cooking experience?

TG: I opened Sal’s grill some years ago, which gave me some valuable tools as a chef and good experience in terms of what to do and what not to do! I was working at Hanna’s before I moved over to Codfather’s to take over in the new role as chef.

SA: Where did you receive your culinary training?

TG: At TRU in Kamloops

SA: What kind of chef do you consider yourself? Laid back, intimidating etc. Are you a Gordon Ramsey?

TG: No! But I do take my job very seriously. I consider myself laid back in terms of dealing with the customers and the people I work with. I try to maintain a work/ life balance.

SA: What do you do to unwind after the hectic night? weekend? event? and the summer season in the Okanagan.

TG: My wife and I enjoy dining out, we’ll go to our favorite hangouts as often as we can to keep up on the pulse of the local food scene. We go to Vancouver a couple times a year to check out what’s happening there and what’s hot in the industry. I also love to play the guitar, drums, harmonica and even a little ukulele.

It’s a good way for me to connect with my son, Leon, who also plays the drums and ukulele.

SA: What are your favorite Hometown hangouts?

Favorite place : Waterfront Wines

Favorite sushi: Mabui

I also really enjoy Latin Fiesta in Rutland!

SA: If you had to cook a nice meal in 30 minutes, what would you cook?

TG: Easy Med or Italian with a variety of small plates, quick, easy and delicious!

SA: What is the longest you ever worked without a break in the kitchen?

TG: 30 hours at the opening of Sal’s steak house…

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Savour Magazine is a unique quarterly magazine exploring the food, wine and travel of British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest. Savour is the only B.C. food & wine magazine that is offered in print, digital and online. Savour offers something for everyone, including a practical, down to earth approach with its recipes, great editorial, food, wine and book reviews. Get a taste!