Mentorship Award 2012

OBSESSED WITH FOOD from a young age, Julian Bond entered culinary school in Yorkshire at 16, then cheffed about at Michelin-starred places in England and France, honing his skills and turning heads. Recruited to Canada by CP Hotels, Bond found himself in Kananaskis, Alberta, before arriving in Vancouver in 1994, first at Star Anise (in its glory days), then to open Oritalia. Along the way, Bond, now 41, met and married Angelina Froste and together they chase after four energetic kids.

In 2000 Bond found his true vocation. He joined the acclaimed Dubrulle Institute (which morphed into the Art Institute during his tenure), then, after five years as culinary director, moved to the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts. Heading up the PICA training kitchens, he does more than just teach—Bond is a performer whose engaging, theatrical style remains memorable to the 1,700 students he’s taught to date. Protégée Alana Peckham (Cru) still sees Bond regularly. “I value his insight and what he has to say. In my mind he’s still my teacher.” Says Chris Irving (West, Pourhouse, La Petite Maison London/Dubai): “Julian was a guiding light for me as a junior cook, always there when I needed professional or personal advice, keeping me reassured and confident. He pushed me to excel.”

Chef Bond teaches by example. Fond of the ambush, he’ll burst into the kitchen, slap down his clipboard, and bellow a call to arms. Cajoling, cheerfully browbeating, he preps his students as one might a prize ingredient, then stays intimately connected as they set out and prosper.

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