Stratford Chefs School

Just announced! Our popular public Wine Classes with Sommelier and Stratford Chefs School Wine and Service Instructor Alexandra Evans return this fall and are now available to book!

This is your opportunity to register for a four class series at a special price. Perfect for the wine lover or those who want to learn more about the fascinating world of wine.

Two different four class series are on offer; the four class Wine 101 Series will start October 19/26 and again January 11/27. The four class Old World Wine Series starts November 16/26.

Purchasing a full series saves you money and guarantees your place in each class in the series; single classes are also available to reserve.

For more information about each class and to book, visit the link in COMMENTS below. Cheers!

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Stratford Kiwanis Garlic Festival recently announced a collaboration with Stratford Chefs School that celebrates outstanding local food while making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families throughout the Stratford area.

The two highly respected Stratford organizations are joining forces to bring together talented, world-class chefs, passionate food lovers, area producers, and dedicated volunteers for a weekend that showcases the very best of Southwestern Ontario’s food culture.

The collaboration will feature Stratford Chefs School chefs and alumni - led by Chef Eli Silverthorne - participating in cooking demonstrations, educational presentations and special programming, alongside local garlic growers, artisan vendors, prepared food and live music that celebrates not just Ontario garlic, but local agriculture and creative cuisine.

This year's Festival will run Saturday, September 12 from 9 am to 4 pm and Sunday, September 13 from 10 am to 4 pm. All proceeds are used to support local Kiwanis Club programs and projects.

To learn more, visit the Garlic Festival website, link in comments below.

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One spot has just become available for our culinary voyage to the region of Alsace! Book now for the Open Kitchen Get Cooking! | Inspired by Alsace recreational cooking class this Sunday August 9 from 10am - 1pm at the Stratford Chefs School's professional kitchens.

Reserve at link in comments below.

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Stratford Chefs School provides real world training for diverse culinary careers. Our grads have gone on to work as restaurant chef-owners, food stylists, recipe developers, food entrepreneurs, executive chefs, food writers, pastry chefs, restaurant managers, nutritionists, dieticians, caterers, bakers, cafe owners, sommeliers, personal chefs, winemakers, cheesemakers, teachers, butchers, food marketers, and more!⁠
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Check out our Job Board for new employment opportunities or to submit available positions. LINK IN COMMENTS BELOW.⁠

Pictured: Alumnus Jose Matamoros (Class of 2016) working with students as a 2026 Canadian Guest Chef. Matamoros currently helms the kitchen as Executive Chef at El Catrin Destileria in Toronto (Photo by Terry Manzo).⁠

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UPDATE: The spots have been filled!

TWO spots have become available for our Open Kitchen Get Cooking! | Inspired by India cooking class this Sunday July 19 from 10am to 1pm.⁠
⁠Reserve now before they are gone! LINK IN COMMENTS BELOW.⁠
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Photos: Terry Manzo

Stratford Chefs School provides real world training for diverse culinary careers. Our grads have gone on to work as food entrepreneurs, executive chefs, restaurant chef-owners, food stylists, recipe developers, nutritionists, dieticians, caterers, bakers, cafe owners, food writers, pastry chefs, restaurant managers, sommeliers, personal chefs, winemakers, cheesemakers, teachers, butchers, food marketers, and more!⁠
⁠
Check out our Job Board for new employment opportunities or to submit available positions. LINK IN COMMENTS BELOW.

Pictured: Julian Rey (Class of 2020) serving at a Student Chef Dinner Lab, now a Cook at the Michelin star Restaurant Pearl Morissette, in Jordan, Ontario (Photo by Terry Manzo).

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Alumni in the News! We last caught up with Chef Miles Pundsack-Poe (Class of 2009) in February, when he returned here to his alma mater as a Canadian Guest Chef to work with our Level Two Cook Apprentices.

Chef Pundsack-Poe, most recently Executive Chef of Restaurant Dorsia in Montreal, has returned to his Ontario roots to lead the new Foxy's Bar, Restaurant, Bodega in Elora, just minutes from where he was raised.

Pundsack-Poe trained at Stratford Chefs School before building a career that stretched far beyond small-town Ontario: Langdon Hall and Eigensinn Farm early on, then kitchens across Spain, Napa Valley, Montreal, and Shenzhen, China.

The Spanish-inspired, late-night-leaning tapas room of Foxy's is nestled in one of Elora’s most beautiful heritage buildings, the Ayrshire Hotel, an iconic flatiron building in the core of the village, and is expected to open August 1. Congrats on your new venture, Chef!
Learn more on our BLOG: LINK in COMMENTS below.

Destination Stratford Perth County Tourism Downtown Stratford BIA

Stratford Chefs School provides real world training for diverse culinary careers. Our grads have gone on to work as food entrepreneurs, executive chefs, restaurant chef-owners, food stylists, recipe developers, nutritionists, dieticians, caterers, bakers, cafe owners, food writers, pastry chefs, restaurant managers, sommeliers, personal chefs, winemakers, cheesemakers, teachers, butchers, food marketers, and more!⁠
⁠
Check out our Job Board for employment opportunities or to submit available positions. LINK IN COMMENTS BELOW.

Pictured: Edan Lister-Stevens (Class of 2023), who is currently Executive Sous Chef at aKin, Toronto (Photo by Terry Manzo).
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Faculty News! Two remarkable women have recently retired (mostly) from their work at the School. Thank you to Kathlyn Bell (Class of 1985) and Melissa Graham for your many years of dedicated support and commitment. Happy Retirement to you both!

Visit our BLOG for a commemorative post with photos - LINK IN COMMENTS below.

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