About
Our Mission
Our mission is to help people learn the secrets of the culinary arts and discover the richness of the National Capital Region’s terroir through its food, food producers, artisans and partners, all in a pleasant and memorable ambiance that only C’est Bon Cooking can offer.
Our Story
C'est Bon Cooking has been operating as both a cooking school and food tour company since 2009. In 2016 Chef Andrée Riffou passed the C’est Bon Cooking torch on to Chef Georges Laurier and Stefanie Siska.
Georges and Stefanie wish to express their profound gratitude to Chef Andrée for inspiring residents and tourists of the National Capital Region alike to discover the great joys of cooking.
Georges Laurier, Co-owner and Chef
A native of Hull (Gatineau), Georges’ passion for cooking started at the age of 15 when he started working for a small local catering company.
Chef Georges interned at the Intercontinental Hotel, The Beau Rivage in Switzerland, and in restaurants in France and in New York, and participated in many culinary competitions including the 1986 Culinary Olympics in Frankfurt as a back-up member to the Ottawa-Hull team.
In August 1995, Georges opened Laurier sur Montcalm, an intimate and charming restaurant located in a renovated railway station in his home town. After closing his restaurant in 2003, Georges secured positions as Executive Chef at renowned establishments such as Café Henry Burger, the American Ambassador’s residence, the Wakefield Mill Inn, the Canadian History Museum, the Camelot Golf and Country Club, and Hotel Quintessence in Mont-Tremblant. You might have also caught him on Food Network's Cook Like A Chef series in which he co-starred with other Canadian top Chefs. Up until recently, Georges has been a frequent guest Chef at C’est Bon Cooking.
Always on the look out to find the best, freshest local and national ingredients, Georges is keenly interested in showcasing regional ingredients in his cooking.
Stefanie Siska, Co-owner and General Manager
For more than 20 years, Stefanie has been an Independent Sales Consultant with Pampered Chef Canada. Upon completing degrees in Communications (Ottawa U) and Film Studies (Carleton U), she launched her communications and marketing career by working for a variety of national associations, namely the Canadian Film Institute, the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, and the Canadian Association of Broadcasters.
A self-professed foodie, Stefanie is a staunch believer in the gift of food and the craftsmanship behind transforming it.
Travel, discovery, and food are at the heart of everything she does. If she’s not teaching people quick and easy meal prep with her Pampered Chef(R) kitchen tools, she’s exploring the culinary richness of new neighbourhoods, towns or countries. She actively participates in tourism activities that promote Ottawa as a member of Ottawa Tourism's Board of Directors and Travel Trade Committee.
Originally from Northern Ontario, Stefanie lives in Ottawa with her husband and two daughters.
Our Facilities
Our current facility is located in the historic ByWard Market area, centrally located to the food markets, artisans and producers we feature in some of our tours, and within walking distance to the Shaw Centre, Parliament Buildings and downtown. Housing 2 kitchens, a boutique and a meeting room, the space is both welcoming and carefully appointed to give every culinary experience a first-class touch.
Our Team
C'est Bon Cooking relies on a team of professional chefs and tour guides to deliver our culinary experiences. Meet our team!
Resident Chefs |
Guides |
|
Elina Olefirenko - Pastry Chef |
Carmen MacDonald - English and French |
|
Rawan al Wadaa - Pastry and Cuisine Chef |
Marthanne Robson - English and French |
|
Cindy Toffanello - Cuisine Chef, Sommelier |
Cindy Toffanello - English and Italian |
|
Jelena Brunet - Pastry Chef |
Narimane Ait Hamou - English, French and Arab |
|
Maria Borjas - Pastry Chef |
Erika Mery - English and French |
| Julie Barbeau-Capruciu, ND.A - Naturopatic Nutritionist |
Maritala Roa - English, French and Spanish |
| Halyna Beznaczuk - English, Ukranian |
Our Partners
In order to deliver our tour programming, we also work closely with dozens of local restaurants, chefs, food shops, producers, artisans and suppliers in the region such as these (see below). C'est Bon Cooking is also a proud member of Ottawa Tourism, the Global Food Tourism Association and the World Food Travel Association.
| Alicja Confections | Happy Goat Coffee | Quelque Chose Pâtisseries |
| Art Is In Bakery | Herb & Spice Shop - Wellington | Roberto's Pizza |
| Aurelius Food Co. | Honey Boba | Rochon Gardens |
| Beyond The Pale Brewery | House of Cheese | Sanguiccio Deli Café |
| Bread By Us | Hummingbird Chocolate | Shafali Bazaar |
| Cacao 70 | Kettleman's Bagels | SmoQue Shack |
| Canada In A Basket / Canada dans un panier | Knifewear | Stubbe Chocolates |
| Ciccio's Ristorante | Kochin Kitchen | Sula Wok |
| Compiano (Little Italy) Bakery | Koichi Ramen | Stella Luna Gelato Café |
| Corazon de Maiz | Mantovani 1946 | Suzy Q Donuts |
| Craft Beer Market | Maverick Donuts | Tea Store |
| Cupcake Lounge | Meat Press Shop | The Green Door Restaurant |
| Das Lokal | Moo Shu Ice Cream | The Momo Spot |
| Eldon's Restaurant | Maple Country Sugar Bush | The Table Restaurant |
| Escape Bicycle Tours & Rentals | NU Grocery | The Unrefined Olive |
| Ferme Gravelle | Oriental Charm Houseware & Gifts | Three Tarts Bakery |
| Ferme Lacroix | Ottawa Bagel Shop | Thyme & Again - Wellington |
| French Baker / Boulanger français | Parma Ravioli | Wild Oat Bakery & Café |
| Fiazza Fresh Fired | Pasticceria Gelateria Italiana | |
| Garland Sugarshack | Phuket Royal | |
| Gourmet Grilled Cheese | Pietro's Corner | |
| Grand Pizzeria & Bar | Planet Coffee | |
| The Green Door Restaurant | Play Food & Wine | |
| Guru's Inspired Food Bar |