Your host

Who am I and why do I love food so much?

I was born in England and emigrated to Canada at two years of age, so I consider myself a Vancouverite. This is where I grew up and this is the city that I love. In my 30’s I moved to Europe where I spent a decade living in the Netherlands and England. I travelled around western Europe extensively and this is where my love of food was really ignited. I noticed how food is so central to the identity of many Europeans, with some countries in particular (Belgium, France, Spain, Italy and Greece) having a national identity tied to their cuisine. But more than that, it’s something they share with their family and friends, and even with strangers. To them food is cultural. It creates cohesion.

I experienced this firsthand while spending a considerable amount of time in Italy. I was welcomed into the home of a family, introduced to their friends and we shared meals together in a way that changed my view of food. I felt an affinity for these people, a closeness and fondness that I couldn’t explain. They didn’t speak English and I knew 25 words in Italian. Yet we spent enjoyable evenings together eating, drinking and laughing. It was the act of sitting down together to share a meal that made all of this possible. This was a game changer for me.

An idea that filled a void

We are more connected today than ever before, yet society is experiencing a loneliness epidemic. And in a city like Vancouver this is compounded, as it’s a notoriously difficult place to make friends. When I moved back from Europe in late 2017 I wanted to make a new friendship circle. I decided to take a chance and I created this group as a means of addressing that problem. The concept was simple; foster a welcoming environment where people can connect over food. In Europe they don’t eat alone as food is meant to be shared. I saw this as a way to connect people and the Dinner Devils was born.

Passion is contagious

I am a naturally social and outgoing person. Meeting new people, learning about them and having interesting, lively conversations is my idea of a fantastic evening. This energizes me and I find it so fulfilling. I strive to make people feel comfortable so they can let their walls down and open up, which I understand takes longer for some than for others. But my goal at every dinner is to cultivate an atmosphere where people feel welcomed and safe.

I want to share food, stories, interests and passions as that’s what makes us feel connected. It gives us a sense that we belong and that’s when friendships form. It’s a basic human need that isn’t always accessible. I am trying to change that while supporting Vancouver’s fantastic restaurant scene. Welcome to the Dinner Devils!