episode 070: Justin Tisdall

Justin Tisdall has been many things in his life: a competitive athlete, a lyricist & musician and a veteran of the restaurant industry. He made his way from serving cocktails at Feenie’s and doing fine dining service at Lumiere to working at Boneta, Market by Jean Georges at the Shangrila, running house at Chambar and finally starting his own establishment Juke Fried Chicken in Chinatown. He was born and raised in Toronto, adopted by a caucasian family. Though his parents were supportive of all he did, it wasn’t always easy growing up biracial in a white neighbourhood. Curious about his birth parents, when he was of age, he began searching for his biological family—and found them. Justin was quiet as a kid, both bookish and naturally athletic—he excelled at a number of sports before focusing on swimming. It brought him to Vancouver at 16-years-old and led him to being on UBC’s swim team and competing nationally. There wasn’t much funding for athletes at the time, so restaurant jobs were the only ones that fit in his schedule. Injuries and personal reflection on what he wanted in life were catalysts to his retirement from swimming in 2005, and restaurants truly became his calling. In this conversation, we talk about the environment he grew up in and his close relationship with his adoptive father; the incredible story of finding his birth family; his long career in the restaurant industry and how he leads his team; the way key roles in establishments contribute to the overall feeling of a restaurant; what he learned as a competitive athlete and how he applies that to his current work; Justin’s time as a musician and what performing gave him; what he wants to say to his teammates and friends from his swimming years; advice he’d give to those who are also adopted; and much more.