Top Forty Under 40: Chef helps people facing barriers with Fresh Start
Chef Michael Buffett has had a series of life-defining moments. Almost 20 years ago, his bizarre upbringing prompted him to move out on his own at age 15.
A farmer took a chance on the marginalized boy and gave him a job.
An executive chef took him on as an apprentice.
He left a dream job in Banff to move to Kelowna.
And he attended an event in Kelowna that led to him kicking off a non-profit and a related for-profit business.
“In chess, you call it a gambit move,” said Buffett.
“You purposefully give up a piece in order to be in a better position later on. I’m big into chess. Moving to Kelowna was a gambit move for me.”
At the time, Buffett had a job many chefs would be jealous of at the Banff Springs Hotel. “But I had no work-life balance,” he said. “I had to change.” That change was Kelowna – and no job. It was early 2016 when Buffett attended the A Conversation That Matters event at the Laurel Packinghouse, including a line-up of motivational and inspirational speakers covering an array of topics from mental health and grief to addiction and success.
At the end of the session, participants were told to detach the envelope stuck under their seat.
It was a refund of the ticket price to the event to use to do some good in the community.
So, Buffett approached the Canadian Mental Health Association office in Kelowna with an idea to create a program to help the marginalized and those suffering with a mental illness learn to cook, eat better, feel better and maybe even find a job in food service.
Only two people came to the first class at the association’s community hall.
But word of mouth started and the next classes were attended by 10, 20 and 30 people.
Buffett had to starting bringing in other chefs, farmers and nutritionists to help him out.
That led to the formation of the non-profit Start Fresh Project Society, a farmer offering a half-acre plot for the society, more classes and a year-long CAFE (Culinary Arts & Farm) program to train and mentor people with barriers for positions in restaurants and agriculture.
The first CAFE program accepted 10 students, five of which recently graduated.
A 50 per cent success rate is considered good for a course for people with barriers.
The second intake of 10 students is happening now and there will be two more later this year.
Meantime, Buffett and his girlfriend, Sarah Martin, had been living for free in a tiny cabin.
“It wasn’t until I started up Start Fresh Kitchen that I was able to pay myself a salary,” he said.
The kitchen is for-profit and separate, but affiliated to the society.
The kitchen, located in the bottom of the 12-storey Landmark 2 office building offers cooking classes every Thursday, Sunday long-table dinners for 20 and does “an absurd amount of catering,” acccording to Buffett, for corporate events, weddings and parties.
Buffett’s girlfriend is also his business partner as the kitchen’s events co-ordinator.
The kitchen has been able to hire most of the first classes of CAFE graduates.
The society is also partnering with Literacy Kelowna so immigrants can take the CAFE course and gain language and written skills at the same time.
Buffett’s five-year plan includes expanding the society to Penticton and Vernon, turning the society into a charity and growing the kitchen. Buffett doesn’t have much spare time. But he gets a free hour or day he likes to do yoga and snowboard.
“Otherwise, everything to do with my work is my passion, so in my spare time I like to write menus, shop and cook,” he said.
“If you simply do what you love you’ll be happy.”
Editor’s note: Every week in this space with Top Forty Under 40, we profile a businessperson under the age of 40 who is finding success in their career and making a difference.
The series is presented by BDO Accountants and Consultants, Kelowna Chamber of Commerce and The Daily Courier. Nominations are now closed. Honourees will continue to be featured though June 6.
A wrap-up event recognizing all 40 nominees will be held June 13.