Meet Christine Sandford and Roger Létourneau—seasoned chefs and founders of Lessig Ferments and Vagabond Pop-Ups.Roger founded Lessig Ferments in 2021, blending his French and German heritage with a deep passion for fermentation. Christine joined him as co-owner in 2023, and with combined experience from top restaurants in Edmonton, Belgium, Denmark, and France, the duo brings an impressive blend of creativity, sustainability, and craftsmanship to their ventures. Recently, they launched Vagab...

Meet Matt Livingstone, Sales Director at Village Brewery.Matt’s career started at McDonald's, where he learned the values of hard work, customer service, and teamwork. These experiences sparked his passion for connecting with people and led him into the fast-paced world of food & beverage.From there, he spent several years selling imported beers, gaining a deep appreciation for global brewing traditions and learning the ins and outs of the beer market. Now, with a decade at Village Brewer...

Meet Luke Butterworth, Cofounder of EPIC Market - Edmonton-based food hall, events and media company. Luke’s passion for innovation and entrepreneurship was sparked early, leading him down a diverse path in the startup world. While earning his Executive MBA from the University of Alberta, he co-founded three startups in Telehealth, Robotics, and AI/ML. His experience at the NEXT36/NextAI incubator in Toronto further solidified his commitment to entrepreneurship, shaping his vision for th...

Meet Steve McVicker, co-founder and Chief Brand Officer of the iconic Canadian Caesar brand, Matt & Steve's. Matt & Steve’s journey began with a single goal: to make the classic Caesar even better. Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, Steve’s entrepreneurial flame was ignited at a very young age. Alongside his best friend Matt, Steve set out to elevate the classic Caesar, creating a product that would soon become a staple for Caesar lovers everywhere. What started with The Ex...

Meet Eric Schrader, beer captain and owner of Leduc Brewing Company. For three generations, the city of Leduc has been home to his family. Eric has always felt a deep connection to his community and a desire to give back.After the social isolation of the pandemic, Eric felt inspired to help build up the community in Leduc and bring people together through his love for beer. In 2023, Leduc Brewing Company was born. As the owner of Leduc Brewing Company, Eric aims to create a space where p...

Meet Marc Wandler - Co-founder and CEO of Susgrainable. An expert in the emerging circular economy, Marc has led his business from an idea to securing an offer on CBC Dragons’ Den (Season 18, Episode 14). Marc’s journey as a founder began with a class project at UBC while pursuing his MBA. Wanting to bring this project to life, Marc launched Susgrainable in 2018. Susgrainable upcycles spent grains from craft brewers to create nutritious, delicious, easy-to-make upcycled barley flour, bak...

Meet Ignacio Rodriguez - Manager of Brewing Operations at Big Rock Brewery. Originally from Venezuela, Ignacio moved to Canada in 2015 and has been in the brewing industry for 7 years. Now in his third year at Big Rock, he oversees beer-making processes in Calgary and operations in BC and Ontario.A Chemical Engineer with brewing studies from Siebel Institute, he graduated with honours from the Brewing program at Kwantlen Polytechnic. His achievements throughout his career include a gold medal...

Meet Mark Hamilton, the Director of Sales & Marketing at Origin Malting & Brewing.With a long-standing career in the beverage alcohol industry, Mark has seen it all and still loves every moment of it. His experience in the On-Premise channel is unparalleled, having worked on iconic brands like Guinness, Bacardi, Grey Goose, Crown Royal, and Jack Daniels. Mark's journey has taken him across Western Canada, beginning on Vancouver Island and eventually returning to his hometown of ...

Meet Alex Horner - outdoor adventurer, craft beer enthusiast, and co-founder of Banded Peak Brewing. Located in the heart of the Barley Belt in Calgary, Banded Peak brews adventurous beer for adventurous people. Alex started the company with his two childhood friends in 2016 after experimenting with homebrewing, and was quickly acquired by Labatt in 2020. Named after the iconic summit in Kananaskis Country, Banded Peak tries to use as much Alberta barley as possible, totaling about 90% o...

This is a special episode of the Let’s Meet For a Beer Podcast.Abi Moore, a very special part of our community, recently passed away in a tragic accident. I was fortunate to connect with Abi a few years ago to record a podcast, and I want to re-share our conversation again today. A little bit about Abi…Abi was a huge part of the Fernie Brewing Family, and an integral member of Fernie’s running community.Abi first started running while living in London. At the time she worked with a...

Meet Wilson Wong - sales professional, author, co-owner of three businesses, and passionate community builder.An expert in direct sales, Wilson began his career in 2008 selling Cutco knives, specializing in business appreciation and closing gifts. Beyond sales, Wilson is the co-owner of CRW Orient Coffee Company, Van Loc Vietnamese Sandwiches, and Boa & Hare Coffee and Cocktails - all located in Edmonton’s Chinatown.Passionate about real estate and community involvement, Wilson is a dedic...

Meet Tay Odynski, aka Taytayski! Tay’s passion for art started early – she’s even still got her childhood sketchbooks. Over the past eight years, she’s carved out a unique niche in the art community, both online and at home in Calgary.Her artistic process is driven by spontaneity, allowing the paint to dictate the direction of each piece. This results in dynamic works characterized by bold brushstrokes, splatters, drips, and a variety of mediums.Labelling herself a "painter for the people," T...

Chef Nicole Gomes wears many hats: TV personality, top chef, and chief chicken officer. If you've ever indulged in the tantalizing flavours of Cluck n’ Cleaver or cheered on a Top Chef: Canada showdown, you're already familiar with Nicole's culinary wizardry. But her story is more than just accomplishments — it's a testament to passion, perseverance, and breaking barriers.Join us as we dive into the savoury details of her groundbreaking career, from her days as the first woman in David Hawksw...

You may recognize Vikram Vij from a number of places – as a famed Canadian chef, or as the owner of Vij’s in Vancouver. Maybe you watched him as a fiery entrepreneur on CBC’s Dragons Den, or as a judge on Chopped Canada. Whatever the case, one thing is certain: his vibrant spirit is bound to leave a lasting impression.  In this episode, we delve into Vikram's journey, tracing his path from a young, ambitious restaurant owner to an internationally acclaimed culinary icon. Join us as we uncover...

Hang around the Alberta craft beer industry long enough, and you're bound to cross paths with Anthony Lynch. With an array of experience across the hospitality and brewing sectors, Anthony has left his mark on numerous local craft breweries, from Wild Rose to Broken Barrel, Citizen Brewing, and now, Alley Kat Brewing. Join us for an enlightening discussion as we delve into the nuanced landscape of craft brewing in the province. Grab a cold one, get comfortable, and get ready to gain a deeper...

Meet JP Pedhirney, born and raised in Calgary, he’s earned his spot as a prominent figure in the city's culinary scene. With leadership over a diverse portfolio of over a dozen acclaimed restaurants, he's played a pivotal role in elevating Calgary's status as a premier dining destination. In his role as Vice President of Culinary Operations at Concorde Entertainment Group, JP Pedhirney serves as the creative mind behind several of Calgary's top dining establishments, such as Major Tom, Surfy...

Meet Graham Sherman: self-proclaimed "high-level geek" turned entrepreneur. With nominations for Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year and recognition as one of Calgary's "Top 40 Under 40," Graham's story is nothing short of inspiring.  Join us as we uncover the latest news from Tool Shed, detailing their restructuring to address financial challenges. Explore how the brewery is pivoting its operations, optimizing resources, and forging ahead in the face of adversity.  Grab a cold one and lets...

Meet Paul Wilson, a seasoned Albertan with an impressive history of leadership roles in companies like Marks Work Wearhouse, Canadian Tire, Princess Auto, and Spence Diamonds. Today, he's shifting gears toward the cannabis industry through his latest venture, Decibel Cannabis. Join us on this week's episode as Paul drops his wisdom on growth strategies, consumer behaviour, and the path to profitability. When it comes to brewing success in the cannabis industry, Paul’s crafting a blend that's...

Meet Tim Truax, the self-proclaimed super nerd, community innovator, and podcast extraordinaire. With a passion for all things nerdy and a knack for fostering meaningful connections, Tim's journey into the world of podcasting began in 2015 when he took the helm as the host of the acclaimed Nerd Room podcast.  Since then, he has been on a mission to amplify voices and bring together like-minded individuals through the power of audio storytelling. Now, Tim has the role of CEO and Chief...

This week, we chatted with Connor Curran, the founder and co-owner of Local Laundry, a Canadian clothing brand known for its dedication to social impact. Connor's entrepreneurial journey began in 2015, sparked by a fateful encounter with his washing machine.  Since then, Local Laundry has become a local pioneer, emphasizing community support, partnerships, and top-notch Canadian-made clothing. They've established themselves as a prominent supplier of high-quality Canadian garments with a...

Who doesn't love chocolate? Certainly not Jacqueline Jacek, a visionary chocolatier with a heart as sweet as her creations. With a brilliant idea, unwavering support from her loving family, a solid education in the art of chocolate making, and an innate passion for fashion, Jacqueline embarked on her journey by establishing JACEK Chocolate Couture right in the cozy confines of her basement in 2009. Over the years, Jacqueline's dedication and talent have transformed JACEK Chocolate Couture...

Meet Elia Herrera, a third-generation Mexican Chef with a story as impressive as her culinary skills. She's not only been a contestant on both Top Chef Canada and Top Chef Mexico but is a classically trained pastry chef with experience in some of the world's top restaurants in Spain, France, Italy, and Belgium. Originally from Cordoba, Veracruz-Mexico, Elia hails from a family of accomplished female chefs, including her grandmother, who catered to celebrities, Presidents, Ambassadors,...

Jeff Humphreys, a born and raised Calgarian, began his digital journey in 1995 while sitting in a computer lab at Mount Royal University. Over the years, his endeavors have culminated in the creation of The Calgary Sessions, a community-based podcast that highlights the stories of athletes, artists, and entrepreneurs in Calgary. Jeff has also successfully merged his passion for digital creativity with his longstanding commitment to the local community, resulting in the establishment of...

Discover the inspiring journey of Rob Swiderski,  a business owner, serial entrepreneur, mushroom innovator, and, at his core, a devoted father and husband. Rob advocates for the importance of community, shares his family’s health journey, and discusses the role of religion in his life – all while reflecting on the pivotal experiences that shaped his current path. Discover how the Swiderski family has persevered through his wife Tasha’s breast cancer journey, and how they continue to receive...