Meet The Team
Jennifer Drew-Banister
Founder
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For me, food has always been about connection. A coming together to celebrate each other, the seasons, and special occasions. Over the years, this has also become to mean connection to self and how we FEEL.
I believe in the power of this connection, and that any journey is better traveled with someone to support you along the way, which is why I created The Bountiful Chef.
I am inspired by the seasons, local produce, the personalities of our clients, and COLOR(!).
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In my own health journey food continues to play a huge role - we are what we eat! I have experimented over the years with more restrictive diets, and continue to evaluate how I feel best while working with trusted practitioners in functional and conventional medicine.
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I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis while my husband and I were going through IVF and understand the overwhelm that comes with a new diagnosis and also the importance of a strong foundation of food and lifestyle to balance that. We are finally approaching the other side of IVF and are excited to welcome our baby boy into the world this winter. Check out @bountifulchef for updates, and a look into what is on our table and happening in our client's kitchens.
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We are currently based in Calgary, AB, and I received my culinary training from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. Originally from the United States, in my "previous life" I was an actor and musician living in New York City. That is where I met my husband, John, and when I'm not cooking, you probably can find me in a hot yoga class or laughing, singing, and playing music with John.
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​Food is so beautifully personal. I look forward to hearing your story, knowing more about your relationship with food and finding bountiful ways to work together.
Jenna Den Hoed
Therapeutic Chef
Red Seal Chef,
Certified Holistic Nutrition Consultant
Food has always been a foundational part of my life. To me, cooking symbolizes community, creativity and nourishment. When I was diagnosed with celiac disease as a child, I struggled with the fact that food had become restrictive and dangerous, and felt I couldn’t trust my body. The new awareness that I found for ingredients fueled my passion for food and went on to pursue a career in the culinary world through the Apprenticeship program at SAIT.
After about a decade working in the food industry catering, cooking in downtown restaurants, bistros, cafes, and senior facilities I fell in love with the variety of cuisines and new challenges. What led me away from commercial kitchens was the lack of care and education around food restrictions, allergies and sensitivities. I decided to pivot my career and took the holistic nutrition program at CSNN to learn more about the impact that food has on supporting our bodies.
After graduating from the program, I created a nutrition consulting business, Jenourish, to educate people on how food can fuel wellness, bringing back their trust in food and their own body again.
When I am not cooking or coaching I enjoy reading a good romance novel, tending to my garden in the summer and planning my wedding for the spring.
I am thrilled to be working with the Bountiful Chef to help others know that there is always a bounty of food for them to enjoy! Making food approachable for all, and caring for caregivers is my biggest passion. I look forward to hearing about your unique story with food and wellness. I can’t wait to create mouth watering meals made just for you, so you can fall back in love with the joy of eating!
Jaryd Baceda
Private Events
Certified Holistic Nutritional Consultant
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Jaryd is a graduate of the SAIT Professional Cooking Program and the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition. A recent grad of CSNN, Jaryd is excited to join Bountiful Chef to work with clients to support their health and wellness journeys through food.
He is classically trained in French and Italian cuisine, and has traveled throughout Europe, the Caribbean and Hawaii. He has years of experience as an executive chef, and loves to cater for parties and private tastings. Jaryd has also taught many cooking classes throughout Calgary, helping people and families improve their cooking skills and knowledge of healthy eating.
He is a husband and father of two, and loves spending time with his family outdoors snowboarding, skating, golfing and camping.
Jaryd has shifted his culinary focus to nutrition, and has a passion for helping people eat their best, and teaching best practices in the kitchen. He can handle a wide range of diets, such as keto, paleo, AIP and GAPS, and understands the importance of sensitivities such as gluten, dairy, meat or allergies. He believes in local, fresh and vibrant food geared towards optimal health, made with love!