Mates on Crates Feat. Rob Belcham
G’day,
Those in the know, know where to go.
We’re excited to have just launched our latest episode of Mates on Crates, featuring Rob Belcham, Chef & Owner of Monarch Burger and Popina Canteen, and Marketing Chair of the Chefs' Table Society of BC in Vancouver. Rob is also a driving force behind the Chefs' Table Society of BC, including the recently opened Commons by CTS, a community hub and culinary archive created to support and celebrate BC's hospitality industry. Rob's hospitality career began at Rebar in Victoria in 1994 after finishing culinary school. He worked throughout the West Coast before moving to Vancouver in 2006 and becoming Sous Chef at C Restaurant, taking over from Chef Andrea Carlson. Rob went on to open Fuel with Tom Doughty in 2006, followed by Campagnolo, Campagnolo Roma, Fat Dragon, The Camp Upstairs, Monarch Burger, and Popina. Along the way, he worked with and learned from some of Vancouver's most influential culinary figures, including his mentor Rob Clark, and contributed to the early development of Ocean Wise and its sustainable seafood movement. Today, Rob continues to operate Monarch Burger and Popina, and serves as Marketing Chair of the Chefs' Table Society of BC where he is deeply involved in initiatives designed to make hospitality a more sustainable career.
It was a pleasure to sit down with Rob to chat about his extensive career, Vancouver's evolving hospitality scene, the history of his restaurants, the Commons by CTS, Cooks Camp, supporting the next generation of culinary professionals and all of Rob's favourite spots.
Each time we do a Mates on Crates interview, our guests share up to twenty of their favourites with us. For each episode, only a handful of those favourites make it into the final two minute cut. In order to highlight all of our guest’s favourites, we are happy to share the full list of favourites right here.
Rob’s favourites at Monarch Burger:
Burger: Double Double, Fog Horn Lakehorn style (topped with fried chicken skin)
Pairing: Monarch Lager from Parallel 49 Brewing
Rob’s favourites at Popina Cantina:
Main: Fried Chicken Sandwich
The FULL LIST of Rob’s Local Favourites:
Brewery: Mariner Brewing (Lager), and Rewind Beer Co. (Darkstar)
Coffee: Propaganda Coffee, Prototype Coffee, and Doe Coffee Roasters
Dying to Try: Folietta
Fried Chicken: Popina Canteen
Hidden Gem: Elmo Baking Co.
Last Meal That Blew Them Away: A roasted rooster dish served at a small family tavern in Crete, Greece
Pizza: Mama Said Pizza Co., and Hightop Pizza at Rewind Beer Co.
Take an Out of Town Guest: Hong Kong BBQ Master and The Fish Man
Outside of Vancouver: Sunny's Diner (Kelowna)
Thanks for joining us, Rob!
Watch Rob’s full Mates on Crates Episode below.
