Susan Mendelson

Susan Mendelson

Author: Robert Belcham of the Chefs Table Society of BC March 6, 2026 Duration: 1:02:12

In collaboration Les Dames d’Escoffier we are celebrating the Woman Leaders in Hospitality. Each week we will bring the amazing stories of 4 incredible women to you in this long form podcast. The first in the series will be Susan Mendelson of the Lazy Gourmet and Compass foods. Les Dames d’Escoffier International is an international organization of women leaders with more than 2,800 members in forty chapters in the US, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and Italy who provide leadership, educational opportunities, and philanthropy within their communities. Les Dames are named after Georges Auguste Escoffier a restaurateur, culinary writer, and philanthropist, who popularised and updated traditional French cooking methods.

The BC Chapter (LDBC) is comprised of BC’s hospitality, food and beverage professionals who are committed to inspiring, advancing and supporting women, particularly in these sections. Their work largely focuses on granting scholarships to women and their applications are open this year until March 14th. Apply now at www.lesdames.ca

 

Susan Mendelson is the founder of Vancouver’s iconic Lazy Gourmet, which she started in 1979. A celebrated caterer and bestselling cookbook author, she has written ten cookbooks, beginning with Mama Never Cooked Like This, which helped home cooks simplify classic gourmet recipes. For more than four decades, Susan has been known for her passion for beautiful food, her commitment to exceptional ingredients, and her generous spirit as a mentor, philanthropist, and champion of Vancouver’s food community. Today, The Lazy Gourmet remains one of the city’s most respected catering companies, built on Susan’s enduring love of food and hospitality.

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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
Podcast Episodes
Caren McSherry [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:38
On this weeks podcast I am happy to share the stories from an absolute legend in Vancouver. For 40 years Caren has been a cook, teacher, entrepreneur and community advocate. I really hope you enjoy her stories and some v…
Warren Chow [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:41
I am very happy to have Chef Warren Chow of Wildlight Kitchen and Bar to the podcast this week. Warren is an highly motivated young talent who has made a very strong name for himself in a short time. His work with Culina…
Cristina Dias [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:02
In collaboration Les Dames d’Escoffier we are celebrating the Woman Leaders in Hospitality. Each week we will bring the amazing stories of 4 incredible women to you in this long form podcast. The last in our collaboratio…
Dr. Jane Ruddick [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:13
In collaboration Les Dames d’Escoffier we are celebrating the Woman Leaders in Hospitality. Each week we will bring the amazing stories of 4 incredible women to you in this long form podcast. The third in the series will…
Maj Yee [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:22
In collaboration Les Dames d’Escoffier we are celebrating the Woman Leaders in Hospitality. Each week we will bring the amazing stories of 4 incredible women to you in this long form podcast. The second woman in the seri…
Lucais Syme [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:29
I had the opportunity to chat with Chef Lucais Syme, a local, very well known Chef and restaurateur here in Vancouver. The food and restaurants he has built over the years has made Lucais a legend in our community and Ca…
Ali Finn [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:00
I am very happy to share my latest podcast with Ali Finn of Cream Pony in North Vancouver and soon to be open Main st. We chat all things about opening a foodservice place in Vancouver, the good and bad, the highs and lo…
Quang Dang [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:31:41
On this episode we have a legend of the Vancouver Restaurant scene, Quang Dang. Originally from Alberta, Quang came to Vancouver to pursue his career and his accomplishments are many. From Diva at the Met to C Restaurant…
Tushar Tondvalkar [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:41
Hello everyone, on this weeks podcast I am very happy to be joined by Chef Tushar Tondvalkar of Kavita Restaurant. On the show we get a great understanding of a recent immigrants journey as a cook in the United States, s…
Samantha Scholefield- Restaurant Culture Shift Toolkit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:32
On this weeks podcast we are presenting an introduction to the Restaurant Culture Shift Toolkit. This FREE resource is available on the Chefs' Table Society of BC website. It's geared towards small independent foodservic…