Above & Beyond Anglers Inn

Mike Steele

Mike Steele is Executive Chef / Owner of the A Thyme for Class Culinary Studios and Consulting, Mission, British Columbia. He specializes in West Coast and international cuisine. His career spans over seventeen years of dedicated service in the hospitality industry.

At an early age Mike obtained an apprenticeship with Sheraton Hotels International. At the Sheraton Inn, Burnaby he was exposed to culinary competitions. His debut at the early age of 19 was at the Victoria international culinary competition. After finishing his apprenticeship Mike moved to the Vancouver Renaissance Hotel Harbourside to round off his experience. After working three years for the Harbourside Hotel he took an opportunity for more growth and experience at Grouse Mountain Resorts Ltd., North Vancouver.

While his career evolved his passion for competition continued. Competing in local and international culinary shows allowed him to travel to Washington State, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver and Victoria, winning more awards.

Mikes desires to once again work in hotels landed him a job at the Westin Bayshore, Vancouver. Working for the Westin company for more than 4 years, Mike had the opportunity to open Westin Hotels and Resorts first five star hotel in Europe on the island of Malta. While in Malta Mike entered the “Taste of Malta” culinary competition, where he won two gold medals. Mike then returned to Vancouver to start training for the 1996 Culinary Olympics in Berlin, Germany. As an individual he showed a lunch menu, a dinner menu and a restaurant platter for two. Fulfilling a career long dream he was awarded an Olympic Gold medal!

After returning from the Olympics Mike joined Culinary Team British Columbia where he has served as a member, representing the province for the past seven years. While competing with the team they achieved, second over all at the “Asian Pacific” culinary competition in Singapore, and at the "Mondial" culinary competition in Basel, Switzerland they received a gold medal and highest score against fifty-eight other regional teams. Their latest competition was held in Luxemburg where they received a silver medal. His success has been a direct reflection of his love for the culinary arts profession.

Mike also enjoyed a successful three-year period at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, Vancouver before taking his existing position as Culinary Arts instructor for Vancouver Community College and while still consulting and designing his home based studio. Mike enjoys sharing his passion with new up and coming chefs. His desire to bring world class food, teaching and competition to Mission’s community will be unveiled by opening A Thyme for Class Studios with his wife Luisa in Fall 2004.

While staying at Above & Beyond Anglers Inn, Mike and Luisa Steele will be your evening hosts each night as they create an incredible dinning experience. Once you've tasted Mike's West Coast and international cuisine, you will never want to leave. Truly a once in a lifetime experience.