VANCOUVER — Chanthy Yen is the new executive chef at Bacaro. Yen’s experience includes serving as personal chef to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, representing Canada at the Club des Chefs Summit in Madrid and opening Nightshade in Vancouver, which earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2022 and 2023.
Immediately upon stepping into the role, Yen has started preparing Bacaro for participation in the 2024 Dine Out Vancouver Festival/Vancouver World Chef Exchange, which will be hosted in collaboration with chef Andres Giraldo Florez of Oakland, Calif.’s Snail Bar on February 2.
In preparation for the role, Yen travelled through the Veneto region of Italy, sampling regional fare whose ingredients and flavour combinations will heavily influence Bacaro’s re-vamped offerings. The menu will emphasize Venetian dining culture, including a focus on seafood, cicchetti (small bites) and an in-house mozzarella program. Wine will also feature prominently, with regional varietals to complement the food. Under Yen’s leadership, Bacaro will execute three seasonal menu changes, with some featured items offered throughout the year.
“I’m excited to join the team at Bacaro, particularly in the lead-up to Dine Out Vancouver Festival’s Vancouver World Chef Exchange,” says Yen. “We’re creating a unique experience that shares stories through food, with each flavour combination and wine pairing leading diners down new and exciting paths. The Vancouver World Chef Exchange is the perfect opportunity for diners to sample Bacaro’s culinary stories, enhanced by chef Andres’ unparalleled expertise.”
