Niagara College celebrates two Culinary Management alumni whose restaurant is the first in St. Catharines to be recognized on OpenTable’s 100 Best Restaurants in Canada 2018 list.
Jason and Nicole Sawatsky opened their restaurant The Yellow Pear Kitchen in October after five years operating a food truck serving locally-grown, seasonal dishes. When they first started their business, the Yellow Pear was the only solar powered food truck in Canada.
“The gentleman who we bought the food truck from started the idea but couldn’t figure out the logistics. We then re-did the truck and made it work for us,” said Nicole.
Before trailblazing their way towards an eco-conscious culinary business model, both Jason and Nicole worked in several restaurants in a variety of roles.
Jason and Nicole’s culinary tale is also a love story as they met as lab partners at NC’s Canadian Food and Wine Institute (CFWI).
“We sat back to back in our lab with Chef Demeres. We realized very fast that we had the same skill set, so we switched partners and worked together. Actually it was more of a race for who could do better than the other,” said Nicole.
According to Nicole, what made the pair great lab partners was Jason’s willingness to clean up after her cooking messes where eggs were involved. At the time, Nicole couldn’t stand the smell or sight of eggs.
“We became friends first. We didn’t end up dating until way after school. I may have always cleaned up after her, I still do. But she made me a better chef. She’s a very talented chef. She made me the chef I am today,” said Jason.
The pair graduated from Niagara College’s Culinary Management program in 2006. While their experience at Niagara College was 13 years ago, the pair still consider NC to be a part of their lives.
“We were given the fundamental skills needed to work at a restaurant, as well as the confidence. If it wasn’t for Niagara College, we wouldn’t be here. The Yellow Pear wouldn’t exist,” said Nicole. “We still do events, have our teachers as mentors and look forward to hiring NC students.”
NC’s Canadian Food and Wine Institute professors congratulate the pair on their achievements.
“The most important signal to an educator that you are doing something right is the success of your graduates. Nicole and Jason are shining examples of what education, paired with hard work, can allow you to achieve,” said CFWI dean Craig Youdale. “All of the staff are so excited to hear about the success of our alumni and we could not be more proud of their accomplishments.”
“There really won’t be another award that means more to us. The recognition comes directly from the diners. People had to actually eat here and take time out of there day to review us,” said Nicole. “Every time we get a review it’s an amazing pat on the back that they want others to know about their experience.”
The Yellow Pear Kitchen has come a long way from their food truck days. Today, the cozy restaurant seats 28 for an intimate dining experience. The brunch spot specializes in eggs benedict with a rotating menu that changes weekly. The bright atmosphere and colourful décor reflects the couples’ commitment to fresh ingredients and comfortable dining. Despite the workload of their popular restaurant, Jason and Nicole still get their food truck on the road for weddings, events and at supermarkets.
With this prestigious award and years of experience under their belts, Nicole and Jason aim to take The Yellow Pear Kitchen in a new direction in 2019. The pair look forward to introducing tasting dinners and family meals to their menu this year.
