Vancouver, BC

Canadian born and raised, Dave began his career in 1984 after graduating from a 2-year restaurant and fine dining cooking program with the highest standings award.

Starting in a premier French restaurant for the first years and then working in higher end hotels like corporate Sheratons and new world hotels, he worked across Canada in major cities including 14 years in Vancouver and 6 years in the interior as Executive Chef of a multi-food outlet, hotel and resort in Kelowna.

Working and competing across Canada and the US taught him a great deal about the culinary industry and with the many ethnic influences along with his own heritage (Middle Eastern and Irish) he’s blended European flavours with his Canadian roots.

Having become involved in culinary competitions early in his career, Dave sees them as a great source of inspiration for beginning apprentices and professionals.

“There is more to cooking and creating than our everyday work can offer. We can’t re-invent food or eating, but by competing I believe we can take that basic function and elevate it to an art.”

He has certainly proven that with his achievements in both hot and cold food competitions in which he holds 9 Provincial trophies and 26 medals within North America. He also managed a regional culinary team for 5 years, and for the past five years, Dave is on the list of one of ten Canadian chefs as an international judge for Wacs Sanctioned events.

As a National Culinary team member from 1996 to 2001, and then again in as captain in 2005, he has been in 12 National competitions; 8 of them as a core member, 2 as an individual competitor and 2 as a manager of a regional team. National team medals, Ryan holds 28 of them—all gold except 3 and 6 highest in category trophies.

He is one of the few 2-time world champions and holder of an Olympic Grand Gold medal, the highest recognition in a world national culinary competition.

Dave is a full-time culinary arts Instructor at Vancouver Community College, and dedicates all his experience to working directly with our Olympic team as a National team coach.