PQ: What’s your food/wine philosophy?
MS: I like to support B.C. wines. Their product has really stepped up in the last five years, and I like to support the local economy. I like to use local, fresh produce when I’m cooking.
PQ: One food you can’t live without?
MS: Tomatoes.
PQ: One ingredient you can’t live without?
MS: Cilantro.
PQ: Weirdest thing you’ve eaten?
MS: Chicken feet at dim sum.
PQ: Exact moment you decided to become a chef?
MS: In 1982 when I was working at a golf country club in Langley.
PQ: Most memorable meal you have ever served?
MS: When I was working at A Kettle of Fish I served Sydney Portier and Gordie Howe.
PQ: Most interesting environment you’ve ever worked in?
MS: This current environment at Glacier Creek.
PQ: Greatest professional moment?
MS: There’s been lots of them. Two recent ones being when I was barbecuing with Bob Hasselback and the A Team. We received runner up for the Canadian Grand Reserve Champions and B.C. Champions for 2006.
PQ: Do you dream of opening your own restaurant?
MS: Sometimes yes, sometimes no.
PQ: How would you describe what it is to be a chef?
MS: I think you have to have a real passion for food and the people that work for you to be successful.
PQ: Where would you go to eat, if you could go anywhere in the world?
MS: Cambodia.
PQ: What brought you to Whistler?
MS: I was in between jobs and a bunch of kids took me snowboarding. I enjoyed it so much I thought: “I’m going to move to Whistler.”
PQ: Who has been the most influential person on your cooking/career?
MS: My mother, by being such a bad cook.
PQ: What would you advise anyone wanting to come into this industry?
MS: Go back to school.
