Chef’s by Contract – Chef with over forty-five years of experience including owning his own fine dining establishment, Chef’s Table located in Dufferin County, Ontario is now a resident of Lagoon City and is available to provide amazing meals to you privately in your own home!

We are pleased to introduce you to the gentleman who is the Owner/Operator/Chef of “Chef’s by Contract”, Randy J. Dunbar who has worked at various fine dining establishments, such as Mrs. Mitchell’s, Hiding Inn Hockley, Windermere House, Baldwin’s Resort, and Northridge Inn.  We love to get to know the owner behind the dream and passion, and we were thrilled to ask Randy a few questions about Chef’s by Contract in our Community Spotlight.

When was your private dining business first established?

I first established my part time private dining business approximately five years ago in the Simcoe/Muskoka Area.

When did you move to Lagoon City and what attracted you to move here?

I moved to Lagoon City in July 2021, after falling in love with a lady here and then the area itself.

What made you open a private dining company?  Was it always a passion of yours?

I was always interested in the culinary arts, even as a teenager.  I took my training for chef at George Brown College.  I apprenticed at major hotels in the GTA, and completed a one-year apprenticeship in Europe.  Following my return to Canada, I returned to take my Continental Chef de Cuisine (CCC), as well as number of courses in restaurant and hotel management.  After many years at various establishments (including my own) I took partial retirement in 2016 but wished to keep my skills and passion for food alive…once a chef, always a chef!

What do you hope your customers gain from using your chef services?

Enjoyment of the meals I prepare for them as well as the whole dining experience in the comfort of their own homes.  I liaise with the client to determine food preferences, potential food allergies…I have them decide on a protein and I build a meal around that choice.

Where did you first learn to cook?

I began cooking at home to recuse my family and myself from my mother’s burnt offerings (god rest her soul…shake and bake chicken was her “go to” for dinner).

What geographical area do you cater to and what is the most unique place you have travelled so far to cater a special event?

I cater to the Muskoka Simcoe area and the most exotic catering experience was while I was vacationing in Barbados.  I was requested to cater an event in Sandy Lane (an exclusive enclave on the West coast of Barbados );  upon arrival I discovered that I would be catering an evening for non-other than Stephen Spielberg and 50 of his friends!

What does Randy like to do in his free time?

Photography, gardening, flying drones, travelling and meeting new people.

If you had any words of encouragement or advice for someone thinking of opening up their own business to follow their dreams, what would they be?

Doing a demographic search of the area for your new business is SO important.  It also takes dedication and TRUE passion for whatever you choose to do.

We cannot wait to see what Chef Randy will be up to next in Lagoon City!  Perhaps our very own cooking class?  We encourage you to follow Randy on facebook at randyjdunbarprivatechef and follow his journey!