David McIlwraith

Born in a small village in Scotland called Lamlash, brought up in Glasgow, David moved to Canada at the tender age of 10. He brought his parents with him, and his father being the eternal entrepreneur ended up buying one of Vancouver’s first French restaurants called La Colombe.

This was David’s first exposure to the business, although he did not work there, the family would dine their often, There was something mysterious about the gentlemen with the strange French accents. They were, he found out later, the Chef’s that had come across from France to work in the industry.

At the age of 16 David went to work at a Pizza Parlour and ended up doing everything that you can do in that style of restaurant. Away from the industry for a couple of years David ended up back in the thick of things at age 22. He renewed himself in the industry working for the Keg Corporation for several years and then embarked on a strangely eclectic career, which only the service industry can provide. Along the way David has been the Food and Beverage Director for Delta Hotels, Restaurant Manager for Grouse Mountain Resorts, Banquet Captain and Maitre d’ for the exclusive British Columbia Club and the Clubhouse Manager for the Vancouver Golf Club.

David has also facilitated the Serving It Right Course, Superhost Program, Encore Program and has taught some of the AHMA Service Industry curriculum at several private colleges. Through his travels David has ended up being quite a wine aficionado, he took several evening courses which then prompted more courses through the wine industry etc. This prompted more studies and David took the Sommelier course as well as completing the Diploma course for the Wine and Spirit Education Trust. This combination had him traveling extensively through the North American wine regions as well as France.

Having become one of David’s main passions this has translated into doing wine seminars for the service industry, as well as service standards. These are done on a consultancy basis and David still involves himself heavily in the industry from seminar, to wine lists, to service standards and even menu development.

Mr. McIlwraith has a broad range of experience in the food & Beverage industry, over 25 years, ranging from free standing restaurants, chain concepts, night clubs and hotel & resort management. His current position as Vice President of Sales for Blackwood Career Apparel + Essentials, his teaching and his consulting, all dictate that he remains on the leading edge of the food & beverage trends and concepts. His work also exposes him to the most unique concepts in the Canadian, United States and UK markets.

David considers himself a very motivational speaker and truly loves getting up and performing.