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
Lesley Stav [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:07
I am so happy to share this Podcast with you. I first met Lesley in 2022, the North Vancouver Island Chefs Association was putting on the first meal of of first in person COOKSCAMP. Remember this was the first time we we…
Antonio Martin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:35:19
Good Day everyone! On this weeks podcast we have a special treat. This Chef came to work for me back in 2004 - 2005, when I was working as the CDC at C Restaurant. He was and is a very talented and hardworking cook and C…
Alex Kim [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:48
On this weeks episode of Mise en Place, we have Chef Alex Kim, the Chef and Culinary Director of Five Sails and Glowbal Restaurant in Vancouver. He joins us to share his journey from Seoul, South Korea, to becoming a Che…
Reuben Major [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:51
On this weeks episode of Mise en Place - the Podcast, we’re delighted to welcome Chef Reuben Major, a dynamic force in Vancouver’s culinary and hospitality scene whose innovative leadership has left a lasting mark on the…
Chris Andraza [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:49
On this episode of Mise en Place- the Podcast we welcome Chef Chris Andraza, a driving force in Vancouver’s culinary landscape and a passionate advocate for sustainable seafood. Originally from Southern Ontario, Chris fo…
Patrick Hennessy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:09:38
On this episode of Mise en Place, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Chef Patrick Hennessy, the longtime culinary vet, behind Vancouver’s Michelin-starred gem, Barbara. Nestled in the heart of Chinatown, Barbara is…
Ron Mckinlay [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:17
Welcome to Mise en Place - The Podcast, where we sit down with the change makers of the restaurant industry to uncover their stories, passions, and the moments that shape their culinary worlds. This week, we’re delighted…
Patrick Gayler [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:35
Welcome to Mise en Place – the Podcast, on this weeks podcast our guest is overseeing some of the best restaurants in the Okanagan Valley — Chef Patrick Gayler, Executive Chef of the iconic Mission Hill Family Estate Win…
Rod Butters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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…
Ronald St.Pierre [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:10
I first met Chef Ronald St. Pierre on the first night of COOKSCAMP three years ago. He was part of a contingent from the North Island Chefs Association, preparing for their lunch service the next day. At some point, Chef…