Meet the Chefs: David Hawksworth & Friends 20th Anniversary Culinary Event

The tradition of culinary excellence continues.

We are proud to mark the 20th anniversary of the David Hawksworth & Friends Culinary Event at The Clubhouse with an exceptional lineup of culinary talent. In celebration of this milestone year, we welcome an extraordinary group of chefs, each recognized for their creativity, passion, and dedication to their craft. An esteemed guest sommelier will join them, thoughtfully curating wine pairings to elevate each dining experience.

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Haida Gwaii, this anniversary edition promises a truly memorable culinary journey, where world-class cuisine and remarkable setting come together in celebration of two decades of this signature event.

Chef David Hawksworth

Chef David Hawksworth is a pioneering force in modern Canadian cuisine, boasting over three decades of culinary mastery. Trained at the esteemed Dubrulle Culinary Institute, he honed his skills in Europe’s culinary meccas before returning to Vancouver to launch his acclaimed restaurant, Hawksworth, in 2011. Renowned for his meticulous attention to detail and innovative flavour combinations, Chef Hawksworth has earned numerous accolades, including recognition on Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants, the MICHELIN Guide, and La Liste.

In addition to his eponymous establishment, Chef Hawksworth oversees celebrated concepts, Bel Café and MICHELIN Guide-recommended Nightingale, both reflecting his commitment to culinary excellence and sourcing the finest local ingredients. Chef Hawksworth’s passion for local producers continues to captivate diners and inspire chefs across the country, reinforcing his legacy as a leader in Canadian gastronomy.

Chef Kristian Eligh

‍Executive Chef Kristian Eligh’s passion for West Coast cuisine and seafood shines at Marilena Café & Raw Bar. A Victoria native and avid fisherman, Chef Kristian has a seasoned culinary background, having trained at Michelin-starred restaurants like Jean George, The French Laundry, and Blackbird. Before returning to Victoria, he honed his craft as Culinary Director at Vancouver’s renowned Hawksworth Restaurant Group, where he earned accolades including Chef of the Year by Vancouver Magazine in 2011 and 2012.

‍Marilena Café & Raw Bar, an exciting new culinary venture by Toptable Group, has quickly earned the top spot on Canada's 100 Best New Restaurants list for 2024. Nestled in Victoria, BC, this highly anticipated restaurant brings an elevated, yet approachable, dining experience centered on West Coast flavors. Guests can indulge in carefully curated seafood dishes, from refined sashimi and nigiri to inventive sushi rolls, all crafted to showcase Marilena’s dedication to sustainable, locally sourced ingredients. Read more about Marilena here.

Chef Sylvain Assie

Through an unparalleled level of commitment, sacrifice, and passion; Chef de Cuisine, Sylvain Assie, leads Hawksworth Restaurant’s outstanding culinary team and presents guests with elevated, ingredient-driven dish and menu combinations that best showcase B.C.’s diverse culinary landscape.

Assie joined the award-winning Hawksworth Restaurant team in 2019 and brought with him his French background and cuisine. As a young boy growing up in Avignon, France, Assie developed his passion for cooking at Sunday family dinners cooking with his grandmother in the kitchen.

After graduating from The Culinary School of Montpellier, France in 2000, Assie worked throughout France including the Four Seasons Resort in Provence, France, where he worked as Sous Chef of the Four Seasons Resort, Bora Bora working under Executive Chef Julien Laffargue. In 2010, Assie continued with the Four Seasons family in Toronto and earned the title of Chef de Cuisine at the resort’s notable Café Boulud & Dbar.

Sommelier Mark Davidson

Born in London, raised in Sydney Mark has over 30 years of experience in the hotel restaurant and wine business, fifteen of those as a Sommelier. In 2001, Mark was named Sommelier of the Year at the Vancouver Wine Festival and also won the Spirited Industry Professional in 2014.

As a Department Head and instructor with the International Sommelier Guild he was instrumental in the on going development of the curriculum and has taught classes in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and Las Vegas.

Mark is an annual judge at Dallas Morning Star/Texsom, Sunset Magazine, and LA International wine competitions. In addition, he developed a wine education and restaurant etiquette course for Simon Fraser University Global Assest and Wealth Management MBA program and is currently studying for the theory section of the Master of Wine having passed the rigorous tasting examination. Mark is currently Global Education Director for Wine Australia.

Join The Waitlist

For further information, or to secure your spot please call us at 1.888.432.6666 or click here to fill out an online inquiry.

Learn more about this years adventure by visiting the 20^thAnniversary David Hawksworth & Friends Culinary Adventure page.

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