Chef Jeff Dell: A 38-Year Culinary Journey

Chef Jeff Dell

At Foodbuy, we’re privileged to work with chefs who bring a wealth of experience, passion, and creativity to the table. Chef Jeff Dell is one of those people whose 38-year journey through the industry serves as a example to the diverse roles and opportunities available in the culinary industry.

For Chef Jeff Dell, the culinary world has been more than just a career; it’s been a lifelong passion. Jeff began his journey 38 years ago at a local catering company, peeling carrots and potatoes. It didn’t take long for him to fall in love with the excitement of events and the joy of working with food and people. After graduating from George Brown’s culinary management program, he honed his skills at the Imago Corporation, Duncan St. Grill, and Vinnies, before venturing into fine dining at the Pineapple Inn, Unionville.

Jeff’s career evolved as he moved into the big box sector, working with Prime restaurants like Pat & Mario’s, and eventually joining the Milestones group in 2003. Starting as a chef, he quickly rose through the ranks to become the Executive Chef and then the Culinary Director for Cara. Today, Jeff serves as the Executive Chef and a culinary resource for Foodtastic, supporting the FSR brands.

Wearing multiple hats, Jeff’s role spans R&D for Milestones and Monza, along with inspiring, motivating, and teaching his teams. He’s passionate about maintaining the integrity and uniqueness of each brand while addressing the challenges of rising food costs and workforce shortages. Despite these hurdles, Jeff remains focused on elevating the guest experience, ensuring consistency, flavour profile, and value across all Foodtastic brands.

Jeff highlights the rising food costs as a significant concern for his team. “As food prices continue to climb, maintaining our margins becomes increasingly challenging. We deeply value Foodbuy as a partner, providing us with critical insights and data. We’re now focused on holding pricing steady because we believe there’s a crucial equation to our value proposition that we want to preserve.”

“Our goal is to elevate our experiences,” Jeff continues, “because it’s essential for us to excel in consistency, flavour profile, and guest experience—from our associates to our guests—to uphold our value proposition.”

His advice for aspiring chefs? “Stay focused on your goals and remember what brought you into the industry. Don’t forget the spark that ignited your passion. Continue to research and train, as this ever-evolving industry requires constant growth. And most importantly, have fun! We’re in the business of creating memorable experiences, so always strive to make people happy.”

Chef Jeff Dell’s story highlights the diversity and potential within the culinary industry. His journey from the kitchen to leadership, and his commitment to mentoring the next generation of chefs, demonstrates the variety of career paths available to those who are passionate about food. At Foodbuy, we’re proud to shine a light on such inspiring careers, and we remain dedicated to supporting chefs like Jeff as they continue to elevate the dining experience and inspire others in the industry.