Royal Dinette (905 Dunsmuir Street), downtown Vancouver’s celebrated farm-to-table restaurant, has a new executive chef at its helm, Chef Alden Ong. Ong previously served as sous chef and embraces the same heart and thoughtful approach to sustainable cooking Royal Dinette is known for.
“It is a privilege to lead one of the city’s most progressive restaurants and talented kitchen team,” says Ong. “Royal Dinette has truly made its mark in providing fresh, quality driven food that is both accessible and approachable to everyone. As we continue to evolve, I look forward to following that same vein of conscious cooking, as well as pushing the boundaries with unique ingredients and cross-cultural interpretations on classic dishes.”
A world traveler, Ong cultivated his passion for diverse, international flavours to complement his French-trained cooking techniques at acclaimed eateries in Singapore, the Philippines, and Austin, Texas. When he arrived in Vancouver, Ong worked at Top Table’s Cin Cin. Soon after, he landed at Burdock and Co., and then Okanagan’s Joy Road Catering, which focuses on a “cuisine du terroir” (food of the earth) philosophy.
“I really learned to appreciate food even more at Joy Road,” adds Ong. “To have your produce coming from a garden practically next to your kitchen is eye-opening. The simplicity in it all is beautiful. There is a sense of place. And, happy animals really do make a difference.”
Royal Dinette’s menu continues to change with the seasons, and Ong expects to release a new spring menu in the coming weeks. Included is a fresh Haida Gwaii halibut in a Filipino-style sinigang sa miso (hot and sour fish broth) and a smoked chili glazed octopus with crispy potatoes, laksa, soy pickles, and Vietnamese coriander. In addition, Royal Dinette is launching a series of special collaboration dinners with some of Vancouver’s most talented sous chefs, starting in May.
On why he chose the culinary world over the corporate world, Ong explains, “For me, cooking food and making myself and others happy eating is one of the greatest, most tangible things we can devote ourselves to. I love cooking because I just love to eat.”
For more information about Royal Dinette, please visit www.royaldinette.ca.
About Royal Dinette
Located in the heart of Vancouver’s Financial District, Royal Dinette focuses on bringing together the best fresh, locally sourced ingredients for a true farm-to-table feast for the senses. With an ever-changing seasonal menu, fresh pasta, pastry and butcher stations and a bar menu offering an array of local craft beer, sparkling wine and handcrafted cocktails, Royal Dinette pairs the laid-back, informal atmosphere of a bygone diner with an elegant standard of service to bring quality, value and creativity of cuisine to a whole new audience.
