Lesley Stowe is a Parisian-trained chef who began her own catering company more than 20 years ago in Vancouver. A culinary pioneer, Lesley has helped to develop and refine the palettes of Vancouverites. Frustrated by the lack of specialty foods in the city, she opened lesley stowe fine foods, offering customers a wide-range and global selection of cheeses, vinegars, oils, breads, house-made entrees, dips, preserves, desserts and hard-to-find grocery items. Lesley was also a pioneer in offering tastings and classes. The specialty fine foods store was one of the first in the city providing Vancouverites the chance to try extra virgin olive oil and 25-year-old balsamic vinegars and quickly became a destination shop.
In 1990, Lesley started selling her delectable dessert creations to the city’s top restaurants and became known for her decadent “Death By Chocolate” confection. The store’s success, combined with Lesley’s ability to predict and capitalize on food trends resulted in the creation of raincoast crisps - a revolutionary snack food beyond compare.
The author of her own cookbook, the lesley stowe fine foods cookbook, Lesley has also contributed to other popular cookbooks including The Girls Who Dish series.
When not at the office, Lesley is active in the community, having been involved with the Canadian Cancer Society and the Vancouver International Wine Festival. She is now a Trustee for the Vancouver Art Gallery and a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier, a society of professional women in the food and beverage industry that promotes appreciation, education and assistance to women advancing careers in the food, beverage and hospitality industry.
An avid traveler, Lesley also enjoys spending time golfing and on the slopes with her family.