Don Letendre
Executive Chef Don Letendre
Biography
Executive Chef Don Letendre began studying for a career in the culinary arts with an apprenticeship at the Pan Pacific Hotel. As his creativity began to flourish, Don left Canada to work in Tokyo at the famed Domani Cucina restaurant for two years and on to the Soba Ni Umazake Yoshimura. Upon his return to Canada, Don worked in many of Vancouver’s best kitchens including Moustache Café on Burrard, Lola’s at the Century House, Le Crocodile, Santa Fe Café, Angelica and Star Anise. In 1996 Don left Canada again to attend a work-study program in London, England under the watchful eye of world-renowned Chefs Raymond Blanc, Le Manior Aux Quat Saisons and Bruno Loubet at L’Odeon. Don is presently the Executive Chef of Opus Hotel and of Elixir Bar & Restaurant and Opus Bar.
Awards Received
2006
- “Most Popular Nightspot” Zagat Guide Survey 2006
- Vancouver Magazine 17th Annual Restaurant Awards 2006
“Honorable Mention” Best Bar/Lounge “Opus Bar”
“Silver Medal” Best Hotel Dining “Elixir”
“Honorable Mention” Best Bistro or Brasserie “Elixir”
2005
- WestEnder 8th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards 2005
“Gold Winner” Best Hotel Lounge “Opus Bar”
- Georgia Straight Golden Plate Readers’ Choice Awards 2005
“Bronze Winner” Best Celebrity-Watching “Opus Bar”
- Vancouver Sun/Queue: Best Restaurants 2005
Best Lounge, Hip: Opus Bar
- Vancouver Magazine 16th Annual Restaurant Awards 2005
“Silver Medal” Best Bar/Lounge “Opus Bar”
“Bronze Medal” Best Hotel Dining “Elixir”
“Honorable Mention” Best Bistro or Brasserie “Elixir”
2004
- WestEnder 7th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards 2004
“Gold Winner” Best Hotel Lounge “Opus Bar”
“Gold Winner” Best Martini “Opus Bar”
- Georgia Straight Golden Plate Readers’ Choice Awards 2004
“Bronze Winner (tie)” Best Celebrity-Watching “Opus Bar”
“Bronze Winner (tie)” Best Weekend Brunch “Elixir”
- Vancouver Sun/Queue: Best Restaurants 2004
Best Lounge, Hip: Opus Bar
- Vancouver Magazine 15th Annual Restaurant Awards 2004
“Silver Medal” Best Bar/Lounge “Opus Bar”
“Bronze Medal” Best Hotel Dining “Elixir”
“Honorable Mention” Best Bistro/Brasserie “Elixir”
- Georgia Straight 9th Annual Best Of Vancouver-
Readers’ Choice Awards 2004
“Bronze Winner” Best Restaurant Bathroom “Elixir”
2003
- Vancouver Magazine 14th Annual Restaurant Awards 2003
“Silver Medal” Best New Fine Dining “Elixir”
“Silver Medal” Best Bistro or Brasserie “Elixir”
“Silver Medal” Best Bar/Lounge “Opus Bar”
2002
- Northwest Palate Readers’ Choice Awards 2002
“Gold Medal” Best New Vancouver Restaurant “Elixir”
Previous
- Apprentice Category 1986 World Culinary Arts Festival
Gold Medal “Cold Culinary”
- Apprentice of the Year- Finalist 1986
- Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards 1997
“Gold Medal” Best New Restaurant “Elixir”
- Vancouver Sun Restaurant Awards – Gold Medal
“Best New Restaurant” 1997
- Absolut Vodka, Chef’s Profile 1999
“Absolut Letendre”
- Anne Hardy – Where to Eat in Canada 2000-2001
“3 Stars” Moustache Café
Volunteer Work
- “Host Chef” 1999 Chefs for Life (Friends for Life, Aids fundraiser)
Guest Chef 1997 Chefs for Life
Guest Chef 1998 Chefs for Life
Guest Chef 2003 Chefs for Life
Guest Chef 2007 Chefs for Life
- Senior Sous Chef 1996 Under Chef Scott Kidd, Founder of Chefs for Life
- Contemporary Art Gallery – Benefit Dinner and Art Auction
Guest Chef 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2006
- Vancouver Art Gallery – Art Auction
Host and Guest Chef 1998
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