Chef Yolanda Maclaren
Chef At Home In Comox
Get to know me better
The Owner and Chef of Custom Gourmet Catering, creating meals that instill a sense of comfort and familiarity using traditional techniques.
I have had a passion for food preparation since childhood. Hanging off my grandmother's apron strings as I grew and learned the basics of cooking and baking.
Starting in the food industry in 1993 at the age of 17, I have many years of different styles of training. From simple cafe style foods up to classic french cuisine, having fun with fusion foods, and an intense passion for baking and pastry.
I started with Custom Gourmet Catering full time in 2012 and have never looked back. Starting off as a server and prep cook and moving quickly up to being the Sous Chef and later Catering Chef. I worked hard to earn my Red Seal Certification in record speed, and I take any opportunity to learn new techniques and styles of food preparation.
I have volunteered with the Culinary Team BC, and the Junior Canada Culinary team, I have been a feature chef for the Seafood Festival Gala reception and Seafood Festival Buyers Expo. Taking part in Flavor Festival and Filberg Festival, also Food Fest events with the Comox Valley Farmers Market and North Vancouver Island Culinary Association, I even had the opportunity to work at a gala event at the Government House in Victoria, with the Canadian Culinary team.
I purchased Custom Gourmet Catering in 2019, just before the Covid pandemic, we created new menu's and ideas to survive the shut downs, feeding the elderly and starting a pre order meal program, that kept me going through the pandemic. In 2013 Custom Gourmet took on the contract at North Island Collage where I managed the kitchen from 2013-2023. In the college off season, from 2014-2018, I moved to The Filberg Summer Kitchen in Comox and ran the small restaurant in the park, featuring gourmet lunches and deserts. On December 15th 2023 I moved on from the college contract and purchased a New production kitchen in Comox, reopening in January of 2024, were I look forward to serving clients and the public for many more years to come, and continue to grow and expand my culinary knowledge.

More about me
For me, cooking is...
Cooking is who I am, even before becoming a professional, starting training and growing, I would create meals and desserts for friends and family.
I learned to cook at...
My Culinary schooling was at North Island College and finished my red seal at Vancouver Island University, with lots of on the job training in between
A cooking secret...
Looking at fun and new ways to use local and ethical ingredients that taste good, look good and leave an impression.
Book your experience with Chef Yolanda
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