advisory board / ..

Advisory Board Member: Chef Darryl Fletcher

North America Corporate Chef for Aqua Star

Darryl Fletcher’s inspiration to pursue a career as a Chef all began while watching Graham Kerr (the Galloping Gourmet) and trying some recipes at home.

In time, Darryl Graduated the Chef De Partie Course at Humber College in 1983 and apprenticed at Donato’s Italian Bistro in Toronto, under Chef Roberto Arissa. He then moved back to his hometown of Kitchener where he worked in various establishments until taking the position of Executive Chef for the Kitchener Auditorium Complex, Three years later he was offered a position with M & M Meat Shops in the New Store Development Team, traveling across Canada.

Another 3 years and Darryl decided it was time to get back in the kitchen. He began as Sous Chef At Frankies Restaurant in Orillia, Ontario before tackling the position of Chef for Weber’s Restaurants in Barrie. It wasn’t long before he was approached to be the Executive Chef for all locations.

As a side project Darryl launched the new kitchen in the Alliston Honda Van Plant.

2001 saw Chef Darryl in the role of Corporate Chef and Regional Sales for Total Focus Food Brokers (one of the first Corporate Chef roles). He moved solely into the Corporate Chef role with Toppits Foods Ltd., where he designed recipes for their web site and helped in product development.

While working at Toppits Darryl started teaching for Loblaws and Zehrs in their “What’s for dinner program?”. He has had his recipes printed in Canadian Living and other Trade Magazines.

Darryl currently works for Aqua Star as their North American Corporate Chef writing recipes for their website (www.aquastar.com) and working in product development. You can also hear him on the wine ladies radio show or on their website www.thewineladies.com. He has been featured in the foodservice and Hospitality magazine’s Chef’s corner