On the Grill

  

With Chef Adam Vaughan - Campagnolo Restaurant

Adam Vaughan began training for his culinary career at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario. He earned his Red Seal Certification and the honour of Apprentice of The Year in 1998. Adam spent the next four years developing his passion for Italian cuisine as Chef de Partie at La Casa Ristorante, where he cooked the family recipes of proprietor Syl Basacco’s mother, from her homeland Ceprano, Italy.

In 2003, Adam spent his summer working in Algonquin Park before heading off to the United Kingdom. Adam later accepted the position of Sous Chef at the George Hotel in Isle of White. There, he embraced seasonal cooking, using local and organic ingredients.

Adam returned to Canada in 2007. He spent a year at home in London before heading West to Vancouver, where he joined Chef Robert Belcham’s kitchen brigade at the award winning Fuel Restaurant. Adam proved to be a huge asset when Fuel Restaurant was rebranded Refuel in 2009.

Offering exceptional skills as a leader and a cook, Chef Robert Belcham appointed Adam as Chef de Cuisine at Campagnolo Restaurant in 2010. As Chef de Cuisine of this critically acclaimed, local favorite dining spot, Adam’s time, energy and passion is in high demand. His role is ever changing and his mantra is “do what needs to get done”.

Three words to describe your cuisine:
Simple, simple, and simple

Your signature dish:
Bread

The dish customers must try during Dine Out:
Crispy Ceci, seasoned chickpeas, a recipe from Robert Belcham

Best thing about Dine Out Vancouver?
Seeing new customers in the dining room

What is one thing in your kitchen you could not live without?
The pizza oven

One ingredient you could not cook without?
Salt

Who is the unsung hero in your kitchen?
Sasha, our dishwasher

Who inspired you to become a chef?
My inspiration came from wanting to eat food all the time.

If you could give just one cooking tip, what would it be?
Keep it simple.

A talent you possess that many are unaware of?
I love photography

Your favourite activities/hobbies, when not in the kitchen?
Hiking and rollerblading

What is your all-time favourite dish?
Ham and scalloped potatoes

One dish you never care to have again?
Tofurkey

Most over-rated dish:
Truffles

Last restaurant you visited?
Refuel on West 4th

Who is your favourite local chef?
Ted Anderson of Campagnolo Roma on East Hastings

Favourite Celebrity Chef?
British chef Marco Pierre White

Favourite farmer’s market:
Trout Lake

A person you most admire?
My wife

Your biggest indulgence:
Potato chips

Biggest regret:
Potato chips

Restaurant you would like to visit:
The Yew Tree, Carlisle, UK

Best place for a steak?
Le Faux Bourgeois – Hanger

Best place for poutine?
Refuel

If you could pick anyone, who would you’d like to sit down and have a meal with:
Other cooks, cooks know how to dine

Last $20 bucks, how would you spend it?
Q Go Ramen (on West Broadway) and a Kirin beer

A restaurant you’d recommend to a tourist who only had one day in Vancouver?
Rangoli

Campagnolo Restaurant
1020 Main Street, Vancouver
604-484-6018
www.campagnolorestaurant.ca