Team
| Executive Chef: | James Walt |
| Pastry Chef: | Aaron Heath |
| Restaurant Director: | Steve Edwards |
| Wine Director: | Samantha Rahn |
| Asst. Wine Director: | Pat Allan |
| Bar Manager: | Rene Wuethrich |
JAMES WALT
Executive Chef
One of the country’s leading chefs, James Walt continues to inspire both his contemporaries and his guests, creating compelling regional cuisine based on local, sustainable ingredients.
His impressive culinary career spans some of British Columbia's leading restaurants and his appointment as executive chef to The Canadian Embassy in Rome, an experience that has shaped the way he cooks today. 'The European market culture has inspired me to cook even more locally and seasonally,' he says. ’There, if it's not local and in season, it's simply not served. Everything is sold at its prime so you're able to shop daily and be creative and spontaneous.’ Now living in the heart of Pemberton's farming community, Chef makes regular farm visits where he personally selects the freshest local ingredients to feature on Araxi's menu.
James is Whistler’s only chef to cook at the celebrated James Beard House in New York City, where he has performed three times. In 2000, he moved to Vancouver to open sister restaurant Blue Water Cafe, winning rave critical and popular reviews. James was pivotal in establishing the restaurant's acclaimed reputation during his three-year tenure. Now, back at the mountain as Araxi's executive chef, he nightly debuts his compelling regional cuisine at Whistler's premier restaurant.
AARON HEATH
Pastry Chef
Born in North York, Ontario, Aaron Heath is a graduate of Toronto’s George Brown Culinary College. He first joined the brigade of Araxi in 1996. In September 2000 he moved to Vancouver where he showcased his talents for two years as Pastry Chef at sister restaurant Blue Water Cafe. He rejoined Araxi five years ago; Aaron’s seasonal dessert menu showcases local orchard fruits and berries, as well as his finesse with chocolate and house-baked breads.
STEVE EDWARDS
Restaurant Director
Citing the ‘immeasurable magic of food and wine’ as his inspiration, Steve’s friendly hospitality has been honed in some of BC’s finest restaurants including two years managing sister restaurant CinCin in Vancouver. ‘We try to impart some of that magic to our guests every night.’ he says, ‘to let our food and wine tell stories of our culture and people, through regionally inspired dishes, artisanal products and the world’s most finely crafted wines.’
Steve holds a diploma from the International Sommelier Guild, and choreographs wine service—from Araxi’s 1,200 label-deep wine library—with chef James Walt and his talented kitchen brigade. With an easy and intuitive tableside manner, Steve brings an infectious enthusiasm to his team and is committed to leading them to new levels of excellence.
SAMANTHA RAHN
Wine Director
A passionate sommelier and world-traveller, Samantha Rahn arrived at Araxi in October, 2007 following a tour through Burgundy where she joined in the harvest pick at Domaine Michel Gros, Vosne Romanée. Previously residing in Banff, Rahn was wine director at the award-winning Maple Leaf Grill & Lounge for six years where she led the restaurant to numerous recognitions, including Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence.
Trained at the Wine and Spirit Education Trust and with over 10 years of hospitality experience, Samantha sources exciting, value-driven wines to complement Araxi's highly acclaimed,11,000 bottle library. Dedicated to ‘creating memorable experiences with wine and food’, Samantha ensures guests make well-informed choices.
PAT ALLAN
Asst. Wine Director
A twenty-year Whistler resident, Pat has been with Araxi since 2002 and feels privileged to have such an extensive selection at his fingertips. ‘The always-changing menus offer great scope’ he enthuses, ‘and chef’s seasonal dishes provoke many options.’
Pat began his hospitality career cooking at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise in Alberta. He passed the International Sommelier Guild Diploma in 2000 with the highest marks in the province that year, a testament to his refined palate, enthusiasm and commitment.
RENE WUETHRICH
Bar Manager
Since 2001, Rene has welcomed both an international and local clientele to The Bar at Araxi. The Bar offers Araxi’s full wine list, martinis made from fresh squeezed juices and ripe garnishes, and a broad selection of single malt scotch and bourbons.
Rene began his hospitality career with a chef’s apprenticeship and hotel school program in Zurich, going on to gain practical experience in hotels in Lausanne, Zermatt and Villars. He held management positions in restaurants and nightclubs in Calgary, Vancouver and on the Gold Coast of Australia before moving to Whistler.