Chef of Merit: Chef Trevor Simms
By Tilly Rivers
© Copyright 2010, Rain Enterprises/MSM (Main Street Magazine)
As seen in the February 2010 issue of MSM
This month MSM has focused on love. February is after all the time of cupid, romance and couples enjoying a wonderful meal. So, I hunted for a location, and chef that would create that certain something-something for any couple to enjoy.
Chef Trevor Simms and the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront fit the bill! Trevor is from Southern Newfoundland, so I can only guess that when the opportunity came up in 2007 to go back to the east coast Trevor jumped all over it, even if that meant taking a slight demotion from Executive Chef at the Renaissance Hotel in Niagara Falls Ontario, to Executive Sous Chef at the Halifax Marriot for a time. Sometimes passion means more than ‘title.’
Chef Simms is quoted as saying “After spending an eye opening season at Dismas Leblanc's The Four Fishermen Bistro under Chef Stefan Czapalay, I learned total kitchen operation from Grand Opening (Carpentry Skills a must) to gardening and dealing with local organic growers. Stefan's ideas were specific. Clean lines, Dramatic pairings and artful presentation. From there, I traveled to Jasper Park Lodge to seek experience with Canadian Pacific Hotels under the tutelage of David McGillivary. He taught me a simple respect for indigenous products and presentation. Drama was this Chefs hallmark, known for creating Menus and Buffets with Canadiana Flair.
With the east calling, I traveled to Sackville, New Brunswick to cook at the Marshlands Inn and further on to the St. Martins Country Inn. This tour of inns gave me an interesting insight to business operations at every level, but the big challenge came when Ontario called and needed talent to open a Casino and recently opened 5 star hotel with 9 restaurants and a world of prospects. While there I moved around the operation to gain an understanding of large volume cooking and small Italian, Asian and French cuisine, even a tour in Pastry. With Chef Raymond Taylor at the helm, he teaches bold flavours, lots of height and hands on approach to management that is truly inspiring.”
Trevor spent five years at Casino Rama in Orillia Ontario as the Sous Chef. With the promotion of Executive Chef he created culinary delights at both The Lake Joseph Club and the Renaissance Hotel for another five years before going back to the east coast.
Trevor, now the Executive Chef at Halifax Marriot will delight your taste buds and tease your palette with such menu offerings as the Lighthouse Chowder, Roasted Local Heritage Salmon and of course no east-coast cuisine is complete without fresh Nova Scotian Lobster, and Llts not forget the “now famous” Shellfish bowl or sweet potato fries. As a vegetarian, I do eat seafood on occasion, but save it for special moments with special chefs, and was not disappointed with either Chef Trevor Simms culinary talent or the great ambience at the Marriot!
Bon appetite my friends, be sure to visit the Halifax Marriot at the Harbourfront the next time you find yourself enjoying some great east coast hospitality!
44 North, Halifax Marriott Harbourfront