The Hardware Grill Family Tree

The staff of legend

The Hardware Grill celebrated its 20th birthday on October 20. That must be 150 in restaurant years. In a business notorious for its lack of longevity; how does a restaurant not only survive but stay relevant? What effect does a restaurant with such staying power have? A major one, apparently. Hardware Grill alumni own restaurants and businesses, are exec chefs in amazing places, carry on with creative pursuits and there are a good number of folks who have made hospitality careers at the Hardware Grill. To show this in a graphic way, I asked Melinda and Larry Stewart, owners of the restaurant, to help me assemble a family tree. The Stewarts checked their records, put out a call on Facebook and talked to those still in touch. As you can imagine during the project like this, much wine was drunk, especially during the moments of hilarity that began with ‘do you remember?’ Being a proud alumnus myself, it was a delight to do.

Design by Jan Thalheimer.

tree-web

1. Amanda Van Brabant
2009-2011
Then: baker. Now: owner, Amanda V’s Bakery.2. Andrew Fung
1998-2002, 2004-2006
Then: cook. Now: chef/owner at XIX.3. Brad Smoliak
1996-2000
Then: co-owner, sous chef. Now: owner, Kitchen by Brad Smoliak.4. Brad Waritsky
1997-2002
Then: cook. Now: registered nurse.

5. Brian Waritsky
2002-2006
Then: busser. Now: assistant manager PCL Tools.

6. Cam Dobranski
1997-2000, 2002-2003
Then: cook. Now: chef/owner, Kensington Brasserie, Calgary; owner, Medium Rare Chefware.

7. Chris Thompson
2008-2010
Then: cook. Now: owner, Hawkers Market, Vancouver.

8. Cindy Lazarenko
1996-1997
Then: server. Now: co-owner, OnOurTable.

9. Clark Yuill
2001-2008
Then: cook, executive sous chef. Now: journeyman electrician.

10. Clint Zaiffdeen
1996-2001, 2004-2010
Then: server. Now: owner/operator, Famoso West Edmonton.

11. Cory Welsch
2002-2010
Then: cook. Now: chef, Craft Beer Market, Calgary.

12. Curtis Beer
2005-Present
Then: waiter. Now: waiter.

13. Dan Strelow
2011-Present
Then: cook. Now: HWG sous chef.

14. Danielle McLaughlin
2001-2015
Then: office manager. Now: financial controller, Mayfair Golf & Country Club.

15. Dean Lonsdale
2003-Present
Then: waiter. Now: waiter.

16. Dylan Prins
2010-2013, 2015-Present
Then: cook. Now: HWG sous chef.

17. Evan Robertson
2000-2007
Then: cook. Now: chef at Pig ’n Duke, Calgary.

18. Garnet Madsen
2010-2013
Then: cook/apprentice. Now: chef instructor.

19. Garrett Ross
2004-2007
Then: busser. Now: actor.

20. Gary Stinn
1996-Present
Then: server. Now: server.

21. Graham Versailles
1998-2000
Then: intern baker. Now: wine agent.

22. Jennifer Cockrall-King
1996-2000
Then: hostess. Now: writer, owner, foodgirl.ca.

23. Joanne Lofeudo
2006-2013
Then: hostess. Now: artist, Kelowna.

24. Jordan Abbott
2012-2014
Then: cook. Now: cook, XIX.

25. Jordan Wiggins
2009-2013
Then: cook. Now: chef, Woodwork.

26. Kieran McKinney
Then: server. Now: retired.

27. Kyle Wilson
1999-Present
Then: busser. Now: waiter.

28. Lacey Cormier
2010-Present
Then: baker. Now: veterinary assistant.

29. Laine Colman
1996-2008
Then: server. Now: business owner/operator.30. Leona Mihaljisn
2012-Present
Then: daily cash. Now: office manager.31. Margo Maria Klimowicz
2003-2006, 2012-2014, Present
Then: busser. Now: photographer.32. Mark Jackson
1996-1997
Then: Our first dishwasher. Now: Professor, Oxford University.

33. Mary Bailey
1996-1997
Then: server. Now: writer, owner, The Tomato Food & Drink.

34. Matt Hauca
1996-1999
Then: busser. Now: university instructor, Japan.

35. Matthew Steppan
1997-2004
Then: busser.  Now: director of stakeholder relations, ASET.

36. Michael Love
2012-2016
Then: apprentice cook. Now: cook, Corso 32.

37. Mike Buckley
1998-2004
Then: sous chef. Now: business manager, transportation.

38. Mike Caldwell
1998-2001
Then: busser. Now: English teacher, Japan.

39. Nigel Weber
1996-2001
Then: exec. sous chef. Now: culinary arts instructor, NAIT.

40. Patrick Leano
1999-2003
Then: cook. Now: chef, Osteria, London, England.

41. Pauline Ulliac
2000-2007
Then: hostess. Now: artist.

42. Perry Wenham
2004-2005
Then: cook. Now: bakery owner, Ontario.

43. Peter Keith
2012-2014
Then: cook. Now: chef.

44. Pietro Scontrino
1996-2003
Then: cook. Now: pork and poultry trader, Calgary.

45. Rino Lam
2008-2014
Then: cook. Now: chef, XIX, St. Albert.

46. Ronald Bolanos
2010-2013
Then: cook. Now: cook, XIX.

47. Russell Frame
1999-2008
Then: server. Now: R.I.P.

48. Ryan Vickers
2006-2012, 2014, Present
Then: cook/baker. Now: baker, HWG.

49. Sean O’Connor
2006-2010
Then: cook. Now: exec chef, Red Ox Inn.

50. Sarah MacKinley
2007-Present
Then: server. Now: hostess.

51. Sasha Sproule
2013–Present
Then: server. Now: licensed practical nurse.

52. Shane Thomas
2001-Present
Then: busser. Now: waiter.

53. Steven Hugens
1996-2001, 2011-2016
Then: server. Now: F & B director, Mayfair Golf & Country Club.

54. Tracey (Lomnes) Waritsky
2002-2006
Then: sous chef. Now: assistant manager, NAIT Catering.

55. Wendy Perusini
1996-2006
Then: busser. Now: OnOurTable.

Tomato food & drink publisher Mary Bailey can still balance three plates on one hand and pour wine with either, but misses having a bus boy.