Chef Andrew MacNeil

We are pleased to have Chef MacNeil as part of the culinary experience at the Saturday July 22nd Chardonnay in the Vineyard event.

Andrew is a creative and passionate chef with over 25 years of progressive experience in the restaurant industry as both a Chef and Manager.  A proud honours graduate of Humber College’s, Culinary Management Program.  He enjoyed an experiential cooking trip to France, Italy and Germany, which spawned his love for European inspired cuisine.  Upon his return found him under the tutelage of Chef Martin Kouprie at Yorkville’s acclaimed Pangaea Restaurant.  That restaurant was extremely influential and helped to shape both his passion for food and scratch cooking as well as the service aspect of Hospitality.  Spending the better part of a decade in Toronto’s fine dining scene furthered his education and helped him with his transition into management at the age of 25.  After leaving the city he spent the next 9 years in two of Ontario’s most prestigious Private Golf Clubs.  During this time, he developed a devotion to local sustainability and foraging.  A farm to table approach became centric to his evolving cuisine.

He joined the Riverbend Inn 2 years ago and along with Executive Chef Ross Midgely, successfully reestablished the Oaklands restaurant as a dining destination for guests from near and far.  Recognized and is known for his dedication to sourcing the best local and sustainable product choices, he takes great pride in his work, loves to delight with innovative dishes and presentation, ensuring his guests leave with a plan to return.  He is excited about Riverbend’s future as a Niagara culinary destination working alongside Executive Chef Jason Parsons and with the support of his culinary team.