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
Mijune Pak [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:25:57
Today we had the opportunity to chat with with none other than my old friend Mijune Pak. Her amazing story of carving out a career in hospitality is pretty amazing. From her humble beginnings to eating across France and…
Celeste Mah and Ross Larkin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:20
This week we have an amazing duo joining us on the podcast. Pastry Chef Celeste Mah and Chef Ross Larkin of Portage, of a fairly new restaurant in St. Johns Newfoundland. Celeste an East Van native and Ross a traveler fr…
Valerie Lister and Erin O'Byrne [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:33
The not for profit organization Go2HR help the hospitality and tourism industry in BC. Their many mandates cover things from HR to training to research and strategy, and mental health and safety of individuals. The amazi…
Ashley Kurtz [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:50
This weeks episode has a very special guest. Executive Chef Ashley Kurtz, of St Lawerence. With dreams of professional hockey and then the reality of life, his path changed gears and cooking became his life's passion. He…
Ron McKinlay [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:37
Very excited to have on one of Canada's Best Chefs on the Podcast this week. Executive Chef Ron McKinlay of Canoe Restaurant in Toronto speaks of his time in Europe refining his skill set in fine dining kitchens in Scotl…
Nick Bertoia & Chris Rielly [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:25
Hospitality is at the core of what our industry is all about, we make people feel welcome and help customers enjoy themselves. This happens all over the world and happens in the classiest of places to the darkest dive ba…
Jacques Kabuya [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:10
Chef Jacques as everyone knows him is one of the most infectiously happy people I have ever had the chance to chat with. Extremely positive and loves our hospitality industry dearly. He and his business partner and wife…
Spencer Watts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:50
Lower mainland born and raised, Spencer Watts joins us on the Mise en Place Podcast today. From humble beginnings as a young line cook at the Keg, working his way to Chef's positions and then then fulfilling a long time…
Ned Bell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:17
In this weeks episode we dive deep with Chef and Board member of the Chefs' Table Society, Ned Bell. With 35 years as a Chef and Restaurateur across Canada, along with countless hours of work dedicated to our Oceans, the…
Thompson Tran [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:29
I have been lucky enough to meet many Chefs over the years, but I don’t think I know one who is more passionate about our industry than Thompson Tran. Raised in Langley BC, his love of food was just a way to make a livin…