As we transition to self-operate the food services currently contracted to Aramark, Jaco Lokker, formerly Director, Food Services, is now focusing on the significant work involved in developing our new culinary team. His title has changed to Director of Culinary Operations and Executive Chef. He will be working collaboratively with our new Director of Business Operations, Todd Baril, who was the subject of another announcement I made a few weeks ago.

Jaco is a chef with an international reputation, classically trained in some of Toronto’s best kitchens. He has had a transformative impact on the experience of students at the Chestnut residence, and has made significant improvements to campus food through his supervision of our contracted operations over the last several years when this was added to his responsibilities. In recognition of his contribution to the Culinary Arts, Jaco has won numerous awards including the 2001 Escoffier Award for outstanding contribution to the Culinary Arts, and in 2002 Escoffier Society Chef Member of the Year. His skills and talent have taken him to the World Culinary Olympics in Erfurt, Germany, three times. Closer to home, Jaco has been recognised several times by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs for his work promoting the use of local food, and his work to establish a campus-wide meal plan program won him and his team a U of T ETIA award.

My sincere thanks to Jaco for the exceptional commitment he has demonstrated over the years to our students and our community – I am looking forward to this very exciting next phase.

Anne

Anne Macdonald, BMus ARCT MBA

Director, Ancillary Services