Rod Butters

Rod Butters

Author: Robert Belcham of the Chefs Table Society of BC April 8, 2025 Duration: 1:34:02

On this weeks episode of  Mise en Place - The Podcast. Today, we’re honored to introduce a true icon of Canadian cuisine, Chef Rod Butters. Hailing from Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, Rod’s journey is one of resilience and reinvention—think a sidelined baseball scholarship turned culinary calling. He cut his teeth at Toronto’s legendary Scaramouche Restaurant, honed his craft with Four Seasons and Shangri-La Hotels, and made waves as a senior member of the Chateau Whistler Resort opening team. But it was as the opening Chef at the world-famous Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino where Rod’s vision shone, earning the Inn its Relais & Chateaux designation in under a year.

For years, Rod has been a champion of ‘support local, buy local, eat and drink local’—long before it was a hashtag. In British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, he built a culinary empire, once including the acclaimed RauDZ Regional Table, micro bar & bites, Terrafina at Hester Creek by RauDZ, and Sunny’s Modern Diner. Today, while RauDZ has closed its doors,  Now, he pours his energy into The Okanagan Table, a catering and events venture that keeps his commitment to regional cuisine alive.

Rod’s influence is undeniable—think membership in the BC Restaurant Hall of Fame, the Canadian Culinary Federation’s Honour Society, and the WCC designation for international culinary excellence from the World Association of Chefs Societies. His cookbook, The Okanagan Table: The Art of Everyday Home Cooking, is a Canadian bestseller, snagging a Gourmand World Cookbook award for Best Local Cookbook in Canada and a silver for Best Regional Cookbook from Taste Canada.

But it’s not just about the accolades. For the past three years, Rod has brought his expertise and heart to COOKSCAMP, inspiring a new generation of chefs with his hands-on mentorship and passion for Okanagan’s bounty. From farm-fresh ingredients to unforgettable dishes, his contributions have made COOKSCAMP a standout experience.  Thank you again for listening to our Podcast. If you have any comments or suggestions please message me @mise_en_place_the_podcast.

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Hosted by chef Robert Belcham, Mise en Place-the Podcast pulls up a chair for candid, substantive conversations with the people shaping British Columbia's vibrant food scene. This series, presented with the Chefs' Table Society of BC, moves beyond recipes and menus to explore the real architecture of a life in hospitality. Each episode is a deep dive with restaurateurs, producers, and culinary leaders, unpacking the complex business decisions, career pivots, and personal philosophies that define their work. Listeners get an authentic backstage pass to the pressures, triumphs, and often-unseen logistics of running kitchens and dining rooms. The discussions naturally reveal the interconnected culture of local food, from farm relationships to dining room dynamics. Belcham’s perspective ensures these aren’t just interviews, but nuanced dialogues full of practical insight for anyone invested in this world. The podcast serves as an oral history of a community in motion, documenting the craft, economics, and human stories behind the plates. It’s for those who appreciate that a great restaurant experience is built on a foundation of meticulous preparation-the true meaning of its namesake. Tune in for thoughtful, grounded talk that respects the intelligence of both its guests and its audience.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 135

Mise en Place - the Podcast
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