Introduction
David Hawksworth is a renowned chef in the culinary world, with numerous accolades and awards under his belt. He has been a prominent figure in the Canadian culinary scene for over two decades, starting his career as an apprentice at some of the most prestigious restaurants in Europe. Over the years, he has worked in some of the best kitchens in the world, honing his skills and developing his unique style.
Early Life and Career
David Hawksworth was born on May 20, 1973, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He grew up in North Vancouver, where he developed a love for cooking at a young age. His mother, who was a trained chef, often cooked with him and taught him the basics of cooking.
At the age of 15, Hawksworth started working in the kitchen of a local restaurant. He quickly realized that he had a passion for cooking and decided to pursue it as a career. After completing high school, he enrolled in the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York.
After completing his training, Hawksworth worked at a number of prestigious restaurants in Europe, including The Square in London and Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxfordshire, England. He also worked at L’Escargot in London, where he was able to learn from some of the best chefs in the world.
Career in Canada
In 2000, Hawksworth returned to Canada and became the executive chef at West, a popular restaurant in Vancouver. During his time at West, he gained recognition for his innovative cuisine, which combined classic French techniques with fresh, local ingredients. He quickly established himself as one of the top chefs in Canada, winning numerous awards and accolades for his work.
In 2008, Hawksworth left West to open his own restaurant, Hawksworth Restaurant, in downtown Vancouver. The restaurant quickly became a destination for foodies from around the world, earning rave reviews for its elegant, modern cuisine. Hawksworth was awarded the title of Vancouver Magazine’s Chef of the Year in 2012, and the restaurant was named the Best Restaurant in Vancouver by the magazine in 2013.
Hawksworth’s success continued to grow, and he expanded his culinary empire in 2014 by opening Nightingale, a more casual restaurant in Vancouver’s Coal Harbour neighborhood. Nightingale offered a menu of contemporary North American cuisine, featuring fresh, local ingredients and a wood-fired oven.
Awards and Accolades
David Hawksworth’s talent and skill have been recognized with numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. In addition to being named Vancouver Magazine’s Chef of the Year and having his restaurants named Best Restaurant in Vancouver, he has received the following honors:
- Hawksworth Restaurant was named one of the 100 Best Restaurants in Canada by OpenTable in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
- Hawksworth Restaurant was awarded the prestigious AAA Five Diamond Award in 2016, 2017, and 2018.
- Nightingale was named Best New Restaurant by Vancouver Magazine in 2017.
- David Hawksworth was inducted into the BC Restaurant Hall of Fame in 2018.
- David Hawksworth was named to the Order of British Columbia in 2019, in recognition of his contributions to the province’s culinary scene.
Philanthropy and Community Involvement
David Hawksworth has been an active member of his community and is committed to giving back through his philanthropic work. He is a supporter of a number of charitable organizations, including the Vancouver Aquarium and the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.
