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
Renée Lavallée [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:04
Renée Lavallée is a Chef, entrepreneur, partner, mother, and community builder, but just call her Renée. We had a chance to catch up a few days after COOKSCAMP to talk about back east, what brought her into the business…
Karl Gregg [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:25
In this weeks episode we speak with long time Chef and Entrepreneur Karl Gregg of Rosies BBQ and Smokehouse. Karl has over 25years under his belt in the hospitality business and has been part of all facets of the busines…
Daniel McGee [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:41
This weeks episode features a conversation I had with local Chef Daniel McGee of Wentworth Hospitality. Born and raised in North Vancouver, and his hometown roots define who he is. A family man, who has cultivated an int…
Chris Irving [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:44
From the Arctic wilds of the Yukon Territory, to Michelin starred restaurants of London, to mega yachts on the French Riviera. Chef Chris Irving has seen and done more in his career than most. A sophisticated ascetic wit…
Alex Chen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:45:30
Chef Chen is probably one of the most accomplished Chefs in Canada right now. Listen as Alex tells his story of being born in Malaysia, raised in Vancouver and understanding his love and gift for food and hospitality. We…
Geoff Hopgood [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:10
Geoff Hopgood is an independent restaurant owner, independent entrepreneur and an independent thinker. He and is family own and run Juniper Food and Wine in Wolfville Nova Scotia. A very successful small restaurant in a…
Meeru Dhalwala [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:29
One of our most interesting activations at COOKSCAMP 2023 is our panel on Women in Industry. After chatting with the moderator of this panel, Meeru Dhalwala, we both agreed that this is such an important conversation tha…
Meeru Dhalwala- an addendum [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:07
A day after we recorded our episode, Meeru and I decided that we needed to add an addition to our chat. Some strategic actual take aways for people to hear to better understand each other and the needs of Women in our in…
Margot Baloro [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:08
Leadership is at the successful core of any great business. They say some leaders are born, in my experience, great leaders are trained, mentored and continue learning. Margot Baloro is, a manager, a sommelier, a Les Dam…
Hamid Salimian [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:21
Hamid Salimian is one of the most well respected Chefs in Canada. He is a teacher, a cook, a product developer, an entrepreneur, the CEO of Goodflour Co. , a business partner and a friend. Hamid talks about growing up in…