Growing Chefs! Ontario: Our Board of Directors

Jordan is an Analyst with Libro Credit Union working primarily in the agriculture and commercial services sector. Prior to joining Libro, Jordan led a number of community economic development projects, bringing together farmers, entrepreneurs, industry and government representatives in an effort to expand and enhance local food systems throughout much of Ontario.

Jordan attended the University of Waterloo, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Masters of Applied Environmental Studies. He has since returned to his hometown of London where he enjoys playing baseball, biking and cooking with his wife and young son.

Andrew is a twenty-year veteran of the food service industry; Chef Andrew enjoys the challenges and demands of a service-orientated career. As Stratford Chefs School graduate, his experience in restaurant kitchen’s include hands-on training with distinguished professionals including Jamie Kennedy, Rob Feenie and Norman Apris.

With regards to his extracurricular cooking activities, Andrew and two other Toronto chefs were invited a couple years back to cook at the Ontario Wine Awards in the Distillery District which was a great honour and experience. As well, Andrew has presented several talks on behalf of the O.F.I. on Food Trends and other Kitchen and restaurant issues. He does consulting cooking with a Major food Distribution company in Canada, and has had the pleasure of preparing lunch for the Prime Minister of Canada while on his visit to London.

Andrew believes his style, energy and hospitable demeanour are source of pride. He promises to uphold these characteristics. He works to enjoy a record of excellence with catering to the guests needs and surpassing their dining expectations.

Malcolm Scott has been a civil litigation lawyer focussing on personal injury and insurance matters for nearly 20 years.

Originally from rural Eastern Ontario, Malcolm moved to London in 1995 to attend Western University where he obtained a degree in history and law. London has been his home ever since.

Malcolm is a musician and a father of three. He is passionate about cooking and food. Malcolm loves to roast, bake, bbq, smoke, broil, boil, marinade, sauté, and pickle homemade dinners.

Malcolm has been on the Board for over 10 years and has been part of the team to help it grow from a seedling, holding meetings in living rooms, to the enterprise it is today!

Cecile is the Project Manager at Good Neighbours Canada. She is a proactive, highly skilled events and fundraising professional with hands-on experience in diverse office environments. A highly motivated, and energetic person that has experience both at home and abroad in non-profit and academic sectors.

Her experience is in organizing high profile events and international conferences, and experience in communication and health education and information.

Cecile is also on the Board of Crest Support Services and volunteers for Pillar Non-Profit.

Mary retired from the Ivey Business School at Western University in 2021 where she held the position of CFO. Prior to joining Ivey, Mary held senior financial positions for several
organizations in London.

Prior to becoming a CPA, Mary completed the Nutrition and Biochemistry program at the
University of Guelph and spent the early years of her career in nutrition research. With four
family members with Type I diabetes, Mary’s interest in food and nutrition education, and theimpact of making healthy food choices on our health has always played a key role in her
family’s life and the reason for her interest in joining the Growing Chefs board.

Mary has two grown daughters, Natalie, and Kristen. She is an avid runner and enjoys cooking, gardening, cycling, and has recently taken up tennis!

Michael is an Urban Planner with the City of London working to help build a sustainable and equitable city for the future. Prior to joining the City, Michael worked with the Old East Village BIA supporting small businesses, many of which were in the food industry, to open up and grow in the neighbourhood.

Previously, Michael completed a Master of Arts degree in Geography at Western University, including his thesis studying the local supply chains and food networks which connected small food businesses in London to growers, producers, distributors and retailers around South Western Ontario and beyond.

Michael enjoys cooking for his family and tending to his vegetable and fruit garden, being outside biking and walking, and playing board games.

Michael is passionate about food education and volunteering with Growing Chefs! Ontario since food is so important in our communities. Food impacts everything from our personal health, our local economy, to the environment. Cooking and eating also bring together families, friends and new acquaintances to catch up, share a laugh, and get to know one another.

Kristina is the owner of Elgin County based agritourism business Upside Downie Homestead and Art Studio, a ten-year veteran in the not-for-profit sector in various capacities, and a former educator.
Having grown up in Toronto, Kristina had always longed for small town living, and relocated to Kingston to attend Queen's University and then to London before settling in the picturesque rural community of West Lorne. There, she currently lives the homesteading life on two acres with her husband, three children, dog, 3 cats, 13 chickens and worms (small vermiculture farm).

Kristina enjoys gardening, painting, bird watching, preserving food, drinking coffee, hiking, volunteering, SUPing and witnessing her family grow while they steward the beautiful land they call home. She believes wholeheartedly in the mission of Growing Chefs! and the importance of a connected and healthy relationship with food.

Nicholas is an avid gardener and outdoorsman from London Ontario with diverse experience ranging from archaeology to veterinary care. Achieving a Master of Arts degree in International Development from Queen's University, Nicholas has a background in researching not-for-profit development initiatives.

Nicholas is passionate about promoting food literacy and addressing the difficulties in accessing local food to foster healthier, happier, and more robust communities. Nicholas currently resides in London and can usually be found cooking, tending to his grapes, practicing archery, or preparing for an outdoor adventure.

Caitlin is a Chartered Professional Accountant and Western University alumnus who has worked in corporate finance and public accounting for over 10 years. She has experience in a wide range of industries, including asset management, renewable energy, apparel, and software. She currently provides freelance specialty finance and accounting services to her clients.

Caitlin has a passion for food education, sustainability, and local agriculture. She loves learning about where her food comes from and is always willing to try new cuisines! She regularly takes her two young daughters to visit local food producers and enjoys teaching them about new foods and how to cook.