A high school cooking class Jan Hansen took in the hopes of getting an easy mark ultimately launched a 30-year-career that has seen him running top kitchens in the city and now guiding SAIT students toward successful careers of their own.
Hansen, who earned his professional cooking diploma at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) worked in Denmark and Edmonton before moving to Calgary where he helped lead the kitchens at the Calgary Golf and Country Club, the Glencoe Club and Heritage Park where he oversaw the redesign and redevelopment of the entire food and beverage program, including a million-dollar kitchen renovation.
Ready for a change after two years as executive chef at Hotel Arts, he joined the School of Hospitality and Tourism as an instructor in 2017.
It’s a natural fit for the chef who has focused on mentorship in his kitchens and through his involvement with the Chaine des Rotisseurs, an international association that celebrates food, wine and hospitality. His work as council culinaire saw him running competitions for young chefs — many of whom were SAIT students.
Awards and achievements:
When I retire I want to: own a vineyard and make my own wine.
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