VANCOUVER — Fairmont Waterfront has appointed chef Harris Sakalis as the hotel’s new executive chef. With more than 25 years of international experience and a deep commitment to sustainability and local sourcing, Sakalis is poised to lead the Fairmont Waterfront’s culinary program into an exciting new chapter.
Originally from Greece, his passion for cooking was sparked in childhood kitchens and later honed in Michelin-starred restaurants after completing advanced training at the Culinary Institute of America in New York.
His career has taken him from the Caribbean to the Middle East, before joining the Fairmont family in Bermuda. Since then, he’s led kitchens at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and Fairmont Vancouver Airport, before arriving at Fairmont Waterfront. Known for his “simple but sophisticated” culinary style, Sakalis blends his Greek roots with the bounty of the Pacific Northwest, placing sustainability and local sourcing at the heart of his menus.
“I’m honoured to join the team at the Fairmont Waterfront,” says Sakalis. “Vancouver’s incredible local ingredients and diverse culinary culture offer endless inspiration and I look forward to creating memorable dining experiences that celebrate sustainability, seasonality, and bold, honest flavours.”
Sakalis will oversee all culinary operations at ARC Restaurant, as well as catering and banquet services throughout the hotel.
“We’re thrilled to welcome chef Harris Sakalis to the Fairmont Waterfront team,” says Mike Pagnacco, director of Food & Beverage at the Fairmont Waterfront. “His global culinary experience and passion for locally inspired cuisine align perfectly with our commitment to exceptional, sustainable dining.”
