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CoCoa Bean Café & TaDa Catering
Medicine Hat
While working at a local Restaurant (The Black Angus Restaurant), to help pay for her education, she had the opportunity to work with and hone her Culinary Skills with many other wonderful Chefs from all over the world. This was when she found her true passion; Cooking. She then embarked on the journey to become a Chef.
On her culinary journey, Debbie Clauss has also competed in several culinary competitions. While taking her 3rd year Apprenticeship, she was nominated for, and won the prestigious award of “Apprentice of the Year” in Alberta. Debbie Clauss is Journeymen Certified in the Culinary Arts with Red Seal Designation. Debbie Clauss has been a local chef in the hospitality industry for over 25 years. Debbie’s Specialty’s lie in the Italian, Greek, and Western Cuisines.
Continuing her Culinary Journey, and the search for knowledge: Debbie currently sits on the “Lethbridge College Advisory Committee”. This Committee’s purpose is to provide feedback from the Community to the College regarding existing Educational Programs and Education. This feedback is used to assist the Lethbridge College to improve the value of education delivered each student. Debbie also sits on the Southern Alberta, as well as Provincial “Local Apprenticeship Committees”. Who’s function is to take feed back from the community and make recommendations to the Provincial Apprenticeship Board for improvements to existing Apprenticeship programs. She is also one of the Executive for the “Canadian Culinary Federation Lethbridge Branch” as Chapter President. She is also sits on the National Board for the ‘Canadian Culinary Federation‘ as Bylaws & Ethics Chair (currently on her 2nd 3 year term). She has also had the honour of judging Culinary Competitions.
Following her passion for the Culinary Arts, Debbie continues to always help others improve their skills, just as others have shown her, passing on the knowledge. One of her greatest joys is mentoring new apprentices, and watching them grow into their own Culinary Passions. She is also active assisting others in their Catering ventures.
To Debbie, there is no greater satisfaction then having a job that ensures a full heart at the end of each day. She also completed the requirements to be a “FoodSafe” Instructor. In December 2007, fulfilled the requirements set out by the ‘Alberta and Industry Training Boards` to be awarded her `Blue Seal Certification` in Business Competency.
In 2010 fulfilled the requirements and graduated with her “Nutrition and Food Service Management” diploma from Langara College in B.C. And is now a member of the Canadian Society of Nutrition Managers (CSNM). Thus enabling her to formally create menus that will meet all your dietary requirements.
2011 - Awarded the Southern Alberta “Chef of the Year” Award from the “Southern Alberta Academy of Chefs”.
2012 - Awarded the ‘Western Canadian Chef of the Year’ Award at the Western Conference held in Regina, SK.
2012 - Received the ‘National Chef of the Year’ Award in Halifax, from the Canadian Culinary Federation of Canada. The first woman to be awarded this honor in the 49 year history of the Federation!
In 2013, Debbie was featured and articled in several publications. (Saputo Magazine, Western Restaurant Magazine, Spot Light Magazine)
Debbie, currently works in Medicine Hat and Redcliff area as the owner of “Cocoa Bean Cafe” and “TaDa! Catering“, as well as continuing with all her volunteer work.
Website: Cocoa Bean Café & TaDa Catering
Twitter: @cocoa_tada
Facebook: Cocoa Bean Café