CHRIS THOMSON, C.C.C.
Last updated March 2007.
The Banff Centre for Fine Arts
Banff, Alberta
Chris Thomson comes to cooking with an open mind — much in the way he came to his profession.
Unsure of what career to pursue after high school, Chris took his mother’s advice and enrolled in the professional cooking program at Malaspina College in Nanaimo, B.C. Having done some cooking while at school, it was an eye-opener to be introduced to the art, not just the craft, of food — and that proved to be a turning point for Chris. He credits instructor Alex Renne with inspiring that early ambition in him to become a first-class chef.
In his apprenticeship after graduation, working with Chef Hans Sauter at Banff’s Rimrock Resort from 1995 to 1997, Chris learned a further lesson that has stayed with him to this day: hard work now pays off in the future.
Since 1997, Chris has advanced from 2nd Cook at The Delta Bow Valley in Calgary to Chef de Partie at Banff Park Lodge, to Sous Chef at The Rimrock Resort Hotel then The Delta Lodge At Kananaskis, to his current position as Executive Sous Chef at The Banff Centre for Fine Arts. In 2004, Chris received his Certified Chef de Cuisine designation.
Over the years, Chris participated in several regional competitions, including Calgary’s Chaine des Rôtisseur “Jeunes Commis Rôtisseurs” Competition in 1996, the Culinary Arts Salon in Edmonton in 1998, and the Fetzer Great Beginnings Appetizer Challenge in 2002. A silver medal in Edmonton and a top-ten-finalist standing in 2002 acknowledged Chris’ abilities. More than that, it got him looking for bigger challenges to help him increase his knowledge and presentation skills in the culinary field.
International competition and its focus on the art of food was a perfect meeting ground of interest, opportunity and challenge . . . the interest that caught Chris’ attention in school, an opportunity that offered exposure to new presentations of food and combinations of flavours and techniques, and a challenge that would contribute to professional growth.
Chris approaches competition with the same attitude that he approaches his work, with an openness to learn and contribute individually and as part of a team.
International Competition Resume
| 2006 | Luxembourg | Team Alberta | Member | Gold, Second Overall |
Contact Information:
The Banff Centre for Fine Arts
Box 1020
Banff, Alberta T1L 1H5
Phone: (403) 537-4445
Email: Chris Thomson