Photo and text by Maureen Provencal
PQ: What’s the most important principle in bartending?
JP: Personality and understanding what your guests came in for.
PQ: What drink should people be more open to trying?
JP: These days I would go back in to old world wines.
PQ: Weirdest thing you’ve eaten?
JP: In Guatemala, a fermented rice milk. I don’t know if it was
supposed to be fermented.
PQ: Most memorable meal you’ve ever eaten?
JP: In Belize, having Yellowtail barbequed on the beach and
served whole on a plate. For $5!
PQ: Exact moment you decided to become involved in the food
& beverage industry?
JP: I wanted to be a bartender when I was in university. My
first job was at the Longhorn as a busboy in ’94.
PQ: Most memorable drink you have ever served?
JP: I served Freddy from American Pie.
PQ: Most interesting environment you’ve ever worked in?
JP: At The Docks in Toronto. It’s the biggest club in North
America, 13 acres with a 13,000 capacity. The dock itself, where sailboats can
tie up, holds 3,000 people. There is a drive range, swing rides, nightclubs
with lasers and a lot more. It’s so big that the owner drives around in a
gas-powered scooter.
PQ: Greatest professional moment?
JP: Opening The Watershed Grill.
PQ: Where is the best eagle viewing spot?
JP: Right here beside us on the dyke. Great views from our
patio!
PQ: What’s the most interesting thing you’ve seen at this
location?
JP: A buck with a full set of antlers swimming down the river
below the restaurant. Also, a bear that swam across the river and walked right
along the patio in front of a bunch of us who had been watching it come across.
The bear just ignored us.
PQ: Do you dream of opening your own restaurant?
JP: I dream of having my own private club.
PQ: Where would you go to eat, if you could go anywhere in the
world?
JP: Ibiza in Spain for the dance clubs.
PQ: What brought you to Squamish?
JP: Space for my family and a new setting.
PQ: Where would you go for your last meal in this area?
JP: I would go to Ric’s Grill in Whistler.
PQ: Who has been the most influential person on your career?
JP: Dave Gilroy.