It’s with great excitement that we introduce you to our new Executive Chef: Crystal Higgins.
We welcomed her to our organization at our annual employee awards gala (dubbed the “Chartees”) last week in Nisku at the Leduc County Business and Entrepreneur Centre.
Chef Higgins spoke excitedly to the team about her enthusiasm for getting started, eager to engrain herself in the Beaumont community.
“Chartier’s support from Beaumont residents and businesses over the past decade was incredible to watch from afar, and I knew immediately this is a community I needed to surround myself with. Sylvia and Darren have already made me feel like I have been here the whole time and I can't wait to get to know everyone and make new memories”. - Crystal Higgins
Crystal was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, where she developed a passion for cooking at a young age. Raised by a young single mother, she took on the role of family cook by the age of ten.
“I’ve always believed that food will not only fuel you through a long day; it heals your aches and pains and has the power to connect an entire community - human connection is the entire reason behind why “food is love”.
During her training in the Culinary Arts program at NAIT she joined the innovation kitchen- working alongside food scientists to develop plant-based meat alternatives while gaining hands-on experience as a line cook in the evenings. When the opportunity arose to try out for the NAIT Culinary Olympic Team, she signed up immediately and became captain of the first all-female team to compete at the IKA Culinary Olympics in Germany, where her team brought home a silver medal.
Crystal Higgins (third from right) is pictured with her team for the Culinary Olympics in IKA, Germany - bringing home a silver medal for Canada.
More recently, she’s honed her skills at the Royal Glenora Club under the mentorship of Executive Chef and Food & Beverage Director Steve Buzak. Serving as Sous Chef, Crystal oversaw the Banquet team and restaurant operations, bringing leadership and expertise to the club’s culinary program.
Mentoring youth is one of Crystal’s passions, evident by her role on the board of Edmonton Chef’s branch of the Culinary Federation where she is responsible for recruiting young talent. “I’m excited to further develop the culinary team at Chartier, supporting future young chefs, who are going to be proud to put Chartier on their resume”.
Chef Higgins will be introducing herself to the public via the Chartier Valentine’s Day menu themed on “Local Love”, celebrating some of her own favourite local producers and artisans she works with.
We CAN’T WAIT for you to meet her, and know that the feeling is more than mutual :)
PS - We’re eternally grateful to former Head Chef Tamara Solon, who ensured that her transition out of the business after eight years was as seamless as possible. We can’t wait to see what she decides to do next, and thankfully she’s promised to visit us often.
