Co-op Corner: Good things cooking Beyond the Gate

This week Milan Vakarcs from Centre Dufferin District High School shares a little bit about his experience and how Beyond the Gate Restaurant is contributing to our community's future.

Beyond the Gate, operating under owner Chef Frederic Chartier, has been operating in Shelburne's community since 2017. Chartier immigrated from France and brought the flavours of his hometown with him. Chartier has worked in many different countries and restaurants including The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman and Michelin starred restaurants, picking up different flavours and tasty experiences along the way. 

This hidden gem of Shelburne offers a welcoming experience of French cuisine and is a great place for friends and family. Private functions can also be arranged with your very own executive chef.

For my co-op placement, I am a Chef's Assistant, working under the wing of Freddie and learning new skills and techniques every day. I have enhanced my knife skills and learned new cutting techniques. I have also learned new recipes and continue to practice them every day. 

One of the tasks that I have had a chance to do is to cook for customers with my own recipe and meal plans. I am really happy about this because I see it as a sort of test for where I'm standing in the culinary field. I've received training regarding safe food temperatures and how to keep food out of the temperature danger zone.

My co-op placement has taught me a variety of skills that I can use in other careers. Since my placement revolves around food and cooking, I can use what I have learned in other possible careers outside of a restaurant. 

First, I'm involved in cooking meat and handling meat. Therefore, I know quite a bit about the different types of meat and how to cook them. This would be possible to build on in order to tie my knowledge into becoming a butcher.

Chef Freddie has been involved with the Shelburne community ever since opening Beyond the Gate. He has contributed and provided cooking classes to residents of Shelburne who are eager to learn about Freddie's experiences and cooking techniques. 

He continues to provide catering services to businesses and private groups.

He has also taught a cooking course to the French Immersion class at Orangeville District Secondary School.