This Is Not Spain

This Is Not Spain is a full service caterer. We provide exceptional food inspired by the years that our Canadian born Chef spent living in Spain. Our primary focus is food and its quality, preparation and service. Our main concern is to create great experiences for our clients through detailed consultation. Private dinner parties, business events, backyard bashes, weddings, no matter the occasion, we will adapt to your function. We also offer cooking lessons where we can focus on food theory or kitchen skills.

Chef Ryan was born and raised in Toronto. He completed the chef training program at George Brown in 2003. In 2005 he moved to London U.K. with a dual citizenship. He worked different positions from Commis to Sous Chef in Londons gastropubs and upscale restaurants where he learned a lot about proper service and high expectations.

Spending time between restaurants Ryan travelled to the different cities in Europe tasting as much authentic flavours as he could. The food of France and Italy were remarkable. Spain resonated with him. Especially Barcelona and San Sebastian. He eventually moved there where he lived for 4 years between these two great cities. In that time he worked in some of the most famous restaurants in Spain (Arzak, Tapas 24, Roig Robi) where he saw new techniques and an amazing attention to detail and quality. While living in Spain Ryan enjoyed the best paellas, pintxos, tapas, the freshest seafood, incredible charcuterie and the extensive tasting menus. All this has led Ryan to believe that Spain may have the greatest food culture in all of the lands (watch out Japan).

This Is Not Spain exists to share this love and appreciation of Spanish Cuisine with the people of Canada.