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
Ryan Fogarty [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:40:34
There are many facets to this hospitality business that the general public either don't think of or don't know about. Side businesses that support our restaurants and hotels, like farmers and fishers and ranchers. There…
John Bishop [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:49
John Bishop's culinary journey is a testament to how life can unfold in unexpected and magnificent ways. From a young Welsh boy with no grand ambitions beyond escaping his small town, to becoming one of Canada's most inf…
Cory Pelan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:47
This week, we’re thrilled to sit down with a longtime friend of the show, Chef Cory Pelan of The Whole Beast in Victoria, BC. Cory’s not your typical chef—he stepped into the kitchen later in life. After some time in res…
Sean Heather [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:42
When people speak of a classic Irish Pub or a perfectly poured pint of Guinness in Vancouver, they will always talk about the Irish Heather first. Sean Heather built his public House from a yearning for Dublin, and a rea…
David Duprey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:01
On today's podcast we have restaurant owner and businessman David Duprey, owner of the Narrow Group. He started with the infamous Narrow Lounge and then onto many more interesting ventures. We get into the nitty gritty o…
Joanna Jagger [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:41
On this podcast I am so happy to finally have on Joanna Jagger, Director and Founder of the Worth Association. An organization that Champions women in the Hospitality and Tourism space. The Yes Shef event held each year…
Samantha Scholefield [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:13
On this weeks episode we have a long time advocate and champion of the hospitality industry, Samantha Scholefield. Her work with the BCRFA and the Chefs' Table Society has changed the lives of many people. From the GWRC…
Chanthy Yen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:48
On this weeks podcast we are excited to have on Chef Chanthy Yen. Growing up in Windsor Ontario, Chanthy was lucky enough to grow up learning to cook from his Cambodian grandmother. His love of amazing food turned into a…
William Johnson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:29
On this weeks podcast we have freelance writer/ journalist, William Johnson. His writing has covered entrepreneurship, business, tech, and leadership but he has a massive love of the restaurant business. We spend an hour…
Jim Taylor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:49
On this weeks podcast I have a very interesting guest. He has over twenty years of experience managing restaurants and looking at the best ways to view data to maximize the performance of your restaurant. He has taken th…