Big news out of Vancouver today as JOEY Restaurant Group announced that celebrity chef Matthew Stowe has been brought on to work alongside the group's executive chef as the new executive director of culinary.

Stowe shot to national fame in 2012 during season three of Top Chef Canada in which he was eventually crowned Canada's top chef. During that time, Stowe worked alongside Cactus Club executive chef and Canadian Iron Chef Rob Feenie before leaving his post to lead culinary operations at Joseph Richard Group in 2016, where he stayed for around two years.

In his younger years, the chef earned his stripes at New York’s Culinary Institute of America before working at Lutéc and then returning to B.C. to become the executive chef at the highly respected Sonora Resort.

“I am thrilled to be joining the talented team here and to have the opportunity to help refine some of the iconic menu items guests have come to love across our restaurants,” said Stowe. “JOEY, LOCAL Public Eatery and Saltlik restaurants have a rich history and I look forward to also bringing new dishes and ideas to the tables of our loyal guests.”

The company's executive chef, Chris Mills, seems equally excited to have Stowe as part of his team and is looking forward to working in tandem with the talented chef.

“Anytime you get to work with someone who is as passionate and skilled at the craft as Matthew is, the possibilities are endless," says Mills. "We look forward to continually elevating the experience for our customers.”