Jack Evrensel, proprietor of Top Table Group, is pleased to announce the promotion of David Gunawan to the position of Executive Chef of West Restaurant.
“Since assuming the Chef de Cuisine role at West, David has worked tirelessly with his team and our suppliers to create new menus that reflect the very best of British Columbia,” Evrensel said. “That devotion to West’s core values of providing exemplary fine dining experiences has been reflected in the overwhelmingly positive response of our guests. This promotion is recognition of that response, which flows from David’s tremendous talent, his discipline, and his leadership skills.”
An emergent star in Vancouver’s culinary scene, the Singapore-raised Gunawan honed his skills in top restaurants in Chicago, Seattle and Vancouver. He joined West as Chef de Partie in 2007, and was promoted to Chef de Cuisine from Executive Sous Chef earlier this year.
Unusual for an aspiring chef, David graduated from Indiana’s Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. Form soon followed function however, when he graduated from two culinary schools: Kendall College in Chicago, and then Vancouver Community College.
“I am proud to accept this exciting position,” David said. “I have had the opportunity to assemble and lead a kitchen brigade that is completely invested in excellence. I look forward to building upon this tradition at West and the challenge of continuing to exceed the expectations of our guests.”
As a long-time member of West’s management team, David will continue to work alongside Brian Hopkins, Restaurant Director (2010 B.C. Restaurant Hall of Fame Inductee); Rhonda Viani, Pastry Chef; Owen Knowlton, Wine Director; and David Wolowidnyk, Bar Manager (2010 National Ketel One Bar Chef Cocktail Champion).
West’s outstanding contemporary regional cuisine and seamless service have garnered much critical acclaim, both locally and internationally. Cocktails are crafted behind the gleaming cherrywood bar, and the highly awarded wine collection is housed in a magnificent, temperature-controlled wall of wine. 2881 Granville Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Open for dinner nightly, and lunch Monday to Saturday. 604-738-8938. www.westrestaurant.com
