ABOUT OLAF
We are particularly proud of our Master Chef, Olaf Mertens. Born in Germany, Olaf grew up in Canada, in a household imbued with one of the Old World virtues: a driving passion for food. With sights set high, he re-crossed the Atlantic at the age of 18 to apprentice at Berlin’s finest culinary academy. His three years of elite schooling there were accompanied by tough, hands-on training in the kitchen of one of Europe’s grandest hostelries, the Steigenberger Hotel.
Returning to Canada with a clutch of awards testifying to his natural talent and dedication, Olaf became Executive Chef at a fine-dining restaurant in Mississauga. Under his leadership, this restaurant won designation as one of the “Top 40 Restaurants of Canada.” In 1995 he went back to Germany for a season to complete his degree at the Steigenberger Hotel School, achieving the rank of Master Chef (Küchenmeister). laborum.
ACCREDDITATION
•1987: 1ST prize - Team Black Box competition in Berlin
•1988: 3rd prize - Team Black Box competition in Berlin
•1989: 1st prize - Team Black Box competition in Berlin
•1989: “Apprentice of the Year” for graduating class at the culinary program and Hotel Steigenberger in Berlin, Germany
•1990: Listed in the Chefs of America Publications as one of “America’s Outstanding Chefs”
•1994: Named as one of Canada’s Top 40 Restaurants at Rogues Ristorante by Litt Report Publications
•1996: Silver medalist, Team Canada, Epicurean World Master Chefs Society, International Banqueting competition in Limerick, Ireland
•1997: Silver medalist, Team Canada, Epicurean World Master Chefs Society, International Banqueting competition in Dallas, Texas
FUN FACTS ABOUT OLAF
Favourite Food: Braised Dishes
Favourite Dessert: Cheese board
Favourite Movie: Mostly Martha
Favourite Chef: Eckart Witzigmann
Favourite Ingredient: Herbs & Lemons
Favourite TV Show: Wild Chef
Favourite Sports Celebrity: Fred Couples
Favourite Music: Classic Rock & My Sons NIC
Favourite Band: Match Box 20
Favourite Sport to watch: Hockey
Favourite Sport to play: Golf