Photo: Contributed
Okanagan Edge and the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce are partnering to showcase some of the region’s most exciting entrepreneurs through the “Top 40 Under 40” program.
Sponsored by BDO, the “Top 40 Under 40” recognizes high-achieving professionals in our community and showcases their accomplishments. This marks the sixth year the chamber has conducted a “Top 40” showcase. Honourees will be featured throughout the year on Okanagan Edge.
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Ross Derrick moved to Kelowna once he realized such a beautiful place existed in Canada.
Soon after he arrived, he was opening executive chef for Globe Tapas at Big White, followed soon by Sun Peaks. In 2010, Derrick was offered the position of opening executive chef of Sparkling Hill Wellness Resort, where he focused on using products from the region and North Okanagan. With a strong focus on understanding and using local and sustainable products, he was able to develop meaningful relationships with producers in the valley.
After Sparkling Hill, Derrick had a brief tenure as sous chef of the Delta Grand Okanagan before moving on to open his own small businesses, The Table Cafe and The Broken Anchor Food Truck. He also serves as general manager of Codfathers Seafood.
Being so involved as a chef in the Okanagan has allowed Derrick to volunteer for a huge variety of organizations and fundraise using his skills. Whenever the opportunity comes up, Derrick is quick to volunteer in whatever way he can. Some of the events he has volunteered with have been: Earth Wind Fire for Nature’s Trust, Feast of Fields for Farm Folk City Folk, Heart of Gold and the Victory Life Christmas Dinner.
A big focus for Derrick has been promoting mental health awareness. He has implemented “Sauce for a Cause” in his restaurant, and during the opening day of his food truck they donated 100% of the proceeds to The Foundry Kelowna. Derrick is very proud to support Canadian Mental Health Association and The Foundry. His company has also done events with The Bridge Youth and Family Services.
Derrick has his professional culinary arts diploma with enriched cook apprenticeship, and he was honoured as the Okanagan Chefs Association’s Member of the Year in 2019.
Q&A with Ross Derrick (conducted April 9)
How are you approaching the current situation?
This situation is quite difficult for many reasons. Many in my industry have been laid off and businesses closed.
We are focusing on the good that we can do right now. We initiated a ‘Pay It Forward” program in which public can buy health-care workers lunches and dinners. They can do this online via our website or at the shop. We have switched our focus to takeaway and delivery, but with a lot of heart into it. Focusing on what we can still do for our community.
What does your working look like right now?
I am mostly working remotely (at my kitchen table yelling at my dog to stop chasing squirrels), catching up on long overdue paper work, but also developing a plan on what we are going to do when we come out of this. This is an interruption, not a forever. We will be back in full force at one point and stronger. We are keeping staff low and based on who wants to work. And I am ensuring our staff who are working are getting full hours or whatever hours they want. Sales are down over 75%, but we are working smart and have good support from our community. I believe kindness is currency, and right now we’re lucky to be receiving a lot of it.
What is your favourite quote?
“Once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about.” — Haruki Murakami
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