Yannick Bigourdan
Proprietor

Born in the South of France to a family heavily entrenched in the food industry, it is only fitting that Yannick has risen through the ranks of the business himself. Yannick’s great grandfather started a family business in the late 1890’s selling homemade pâté and other delicacies to delicatessens throughout Europe. This success prompted the next generation, and saw Yannick’s grandfather’s illustrious career as a chef celebrated with the awarding of an industry pinnacle, a Michelin Star. Under his tutelage, Yannick’s father and uncle became distinguished culinary leaders in their own right, which next passed to Yannick.

After completing High School, Yannick travelled for the next two years to Spain, Germany and finally Ireland, where he worked in a Five Star Relais et Chateaux Hotel, Dromoland Castle. Upon his return he joined the prominent Swiss Hotel School of Lausanne to start his degree in Hotel and Food and Beverage Management. Four years later, Yannick graduated with honours and was promptly recruited by industry leaders’ Four Seasons Hotel and Resorts. His first stop was in Los Angeles at the world-renowned Regent Beverly Wilshire working as Dining Room and Bar Manager. Two years later, he was transferred to the legendary property in Yorkville Toronto where he held various positions including; Truffles Manager, Studio Café Manager and eventually, Director of Restaurants and Bar.

Looking for his next challenge, Yannick teamed up with partners to acquire the Harbord Street Restaurant, Splendido. Following renovations and a steadfast refocus on standards of service, the restaurant has received numerous honours, including being named Best Restaurant by Toronto Life (2005), and ranking first, (in a category of its own), in Wine Access’ Annual list of the Top 100 Canadian Restaurants (2007). Unparalleled service, combined with a strong focus on promoting Canadian products in season, continues to provide guests with an experience that is unmatched anywhere else.

On April 19th, 2007 Yannick’s efforts were recognized by the Ontario Hostelry Institute when he accepted the OHI Gold Award in the Independent Restaurateur category witch recognize outstanding efforts of hospitality industry professionals. “Yannick was being honoured for his dedication to quality cuisine and wines, which has helped heighten the awareness and stature of the restaurant industry.”

Yannick and his wife Kris reside in Toronto with their two young sons, Ty and Leo. Yannick devotes a significant portion of his personal time to raising funds for the Bloorview Kids Rehab Children’s Centre, a charity he respects immensely. Splendido hosts an annual fund raising dinner for the charity that has raised in excess of $200,000 to date. Yannick also initiated the Recipes for Possibility Calendar two years ago, featuring recipes from Toronto’s top chefs, which is another fund raising vehicle for Bloorview that has raised $300’000 to date.

Never content with the status quo, Yannick and Chef David Lee are busy working on the opening of a new 7,000 square feet restaurant in downtown Toronto in 2008.

Yannick enjoys spending time at his cottage with his family and has become a passionate Hockey player.