International industry veteran to bring a global outlook to Chambar’s award-winning cocktail programme
For well over a decade, Chambar has built its reputation not only as a destination restaurant famous for its Belgian and North African influenced cuisine, but as a cocktail destination that has attracted and nurtured some of the city’s top talent.
Today, that commitment to cocktail excellence is taken one step further with the appointment of Philippe C. Grandbois as Creative Director of Mixology.
A 14-year veteran of the hospitality industry, “Phil” has spent several years with the Ritz Carlton hotel group overseas, working in more than 11 countries on four continents, with posts in London, Bangalore, Shanghai and Montréal. Part historian, part storyteller and part service professional, Grandbois is a Certified Spirits Specialist (CSS), certified by the International Sommeliers Guild (ISG) at a Diploma Level.
“I’m really excited to align myself with what I think is the best restaurant in Vancouver,” Grandbois enthuses. “We have a fantastic kitchen to work with that produces exceptional food with bold flavours, My goal is to get the cocktail menu to match the character of the food, as well as the playful, memorable essence of Chambar — all with a continued emphasis on quality ingredients, unique and rare spirits, and the freshest juices, shrubs and sugars.”
Grandbois will work closely with his established team, including Bar Manager Yacine Sylla, to not only mentor the next generation of bartenders in the city, but to create a cocktail programme that’s deeply rooted in storytelling.
“Every cocktail is perishable art,” he explains. “The classic cocktail world is extremely dynamic; there are beverages that have outlasted multiple wars, multiple countries. My intention is to marry the restaurant’s storied history with the new and exciting evolution in global cocktail culture for a surprising and unexpected narrative behind the bar that Vancouver hasn’t seen before.”
CHAMBAR RESTAURANT
Address: 568 Beatty Street, Crosstown, Vancouver, B.C.
Reservations: www.chambar.com / (604) 879-7119
SOCIAL MEDIA
Instagram: @chambar_restaurant
Twitter: @chambar
Website: www.chambar.com
