On the Grill

  

With Chef Jennifer Peters - Raincity Grill

Chef Jennifer Peters grew up in the Fraser Valley Region of British Columbia. Realizing a passion for cooking she enrolled into the Culinary Arts Program at Vancouver Community College. Her professional career began at Le Belle Auberge, apprenticing under local great Bruno Marti. Seeking to expand her knowledge, she traveled to the UK, completing cooking stints at Mosimann’s Private Dining Room and Sir Terrence Conran’s Almeida. Upon her return to Canada, she further honed her skills at Diva at the Met and The Pear Tree under the tutelage of Chefs’ Chris Mills and Scott Jaeger. Enormously proud of her heritage, Chef Jennifer has strived to showcase the best suppliers and products that British Columbia has to offer to the world of dining.

Three words to describe your cuisine:
Simple, focused & regional

Your signature dish:
Ham Hock Terrine

The dish customers must try during Dine Out?
Appetizer: The Duck Liver Parfait appetizer and the entrée: Honey Horseradish Glazed Pork

Best thing about Dine Out Vancouver?
As a chef, I love a bustling room. Dine Out keeps us hoping through the entire month of January.

A restaurant you’d like to check out during Dine Out?
I’d love to see what Quang Dang is doing over at West

What is one thing in your kitchen you could not live without?
My Vitamix high-speed blender

One ingredient you could not cook without?
Onions. They add so much flavour!

Who is the unsung hero in your kitchen?
Our Sous Chef, Bernice Balbuena

Who inspired you to become a chef?
In high school it was Chef Lothar Mayer but when I decided what type of chef to become it became Bruno Marti

If you could give just one cooking tip, what would it be?
Taste everything, season, and taste again

A talent you possess that many are unaware of?
I’m quite handy around the house and recently completed our weather stripping.

Your favourite activities/hobbies, when not in the kitchen?
I really enjoy drawing.

What is your all-time favourite dish?
French Onion Soup

One dish you never care to have again?
“Doogh” (pronounced “doog”) a carbonated yogurt drink I tried 5-6 years ago

Most over-rated dish:
Lobster

Last restaurant you visited?
Nicli Antica Pizzeria in Gastown

Who is your favourite local chef?
That would have to be my fiancé, Hamid Salimian. Otherwise, it’s Scott Jaegar at The Pear Tree.

Favourite bartender:
David Wolowidnyk, from West Restaurant

Favourite farmers market:
Trout Lake is the best one, but I am closer to the West End market so that’s where you’ll probably find me

Favourite food truck:
Japadog

Favourite foodie?
Mijune Pak of followmefoodie.com

A person you most admire?
BC Restaurant Hall of Famer (and my former boss) Bruno Marti

Your biggest indulgence:
Chocolate

Biggest regret?
Thinking that I should have “no regrets”

Restaurant you would like to visit?
Noma Restaurant in Copenhagen, Denmark, also known as the Best Restaurant in the World

A “hidden gem” in the restaurant scene:
Thai Basil

Best place for Chinese food?
Phnom Penh. Does that count?

Best place for poutine?
La Belle Patate on Davie

Best coffee house?
Elysian. It’s a coffee gem.

If you could pick anyone, who would you’d like to sit down and have a meal with?
My best friend, Shandra Best

Last $20 bucks, how would you spend it?
I’d blow it all on coffee, chocolate & alcohol – in equal proportions.

A restaurant you’d recommend to a tourist who only had one day in Vancouver?
Diva at the Met has great food, but I think if you are here in Vancouver and you want to experience the lifestyle and incredible beach neighbourhood of the West End, it’s pretty hard to beat Raincity Grill.

Raincity Grill
1193 Denman St, Vancouver
604-685-7337
www.raincitygrill.com