International Women’s Day is more than a date on the calendar; it is a moment to recognize the grit, creativity, and community-building power of the women who feed our city. In an industry historically defined by masculine tropes, Vancouver’s female chefs, restaurateurs, and culinary innovators are rewriting the recipe for success—prioritizing sustainability, mentorship, and the preservation of diverse cultural legacies.
This week, we are pulling up a chair with the trailblazers who have turned Vancouver into one of the world’s most exciting food destinations. From the executive chefs leading high-pressure kitchens to the visionary artisans behind our favorite local brands, these women share their raw truths on entrepreneurship, the importance of “seat-at-the-table” advocacy, and the flavors that remind them of home. Join us for a series of intimate conversations that celebrate the hands that cook, lead, and inspire. —Noa Nichol
Haley Macleod, Wine Director, Published on Main
A “Living Document”: You describe your wine list as a “living, breathing document”. How does the IWD theme of “Give to Gain” influence how you select producers who are also “giving back” to their own land or communities?
The importance of stewardship of the land is a core tenant of my wine list and is always the first criteria I seek to fill. We owe it to the land to not just take care of the vines but the ecosystem around those vines as well. As well as for many small producers they’ve been making wine for generations in their regions and they’ve become a pillar of their communities which is key for their local culture.
Enhancing the Vision: Your role is to complement the “endless variety of flavours” from the chef team. How do you navigate that collaborative “give and take” to ensure the guest experience is perfectly balanced?
We’re very fortunate at Published on Main to have such a talented team of chefs who are always willing to bring the wine team a taste of a certain sauce or build a mini version of the dish for us to sample. On the flip side of that, what I’ve found over the years is the more chefs taste the wine we pour, the more the food and wine inherently go well together. This shows the value in a collaborative approach.
Accolades and Pressure: Published on Main has consistently ranked at the top of Canada’s 100 Best. How do you maintain a “generous spirit” and avoid burnout while working at the very pinnacle of the Canadian wine world?
I feel when you love your job, it’s easy to be generous towards guests and your coworkers but it’s incredibly important to also be generous to yourself and to make sure to take time for your own wellbeing. It’s okay to put yourself first sometimes because you can’t take care of others if you aren’t taking care of yourself.
The Sommelier Bridge: Wine can often feel exclusive. How are you “giving” your knowledge to guests in a way that makes the world of fine wine feel inclusive and accessible to everyone?
The idea of making wine accessible is a concept that is incredibly dear to me. I consider it a core tenant of being the sommelier that I strive to be. I like to “give” knowledge to my guests by being a conduit for them to learn what they like and even don’t like about wine. That’s one of the many reasons I love to do pairings with our tasting menu because it gives me the opportunity to explain how and why a wine works with a certain dish or flavour. That is also something a guest can take with them and apply it the next time they’re choosing a bottle for their dinner at home or to bring to a friend’s dinner party.
The Future Vintage: If you were to “cellar” one piece of wisdom for a woman starting her first day as a cellar hand or server today, what would it be?
If I could give one piece of advice to women just starting out is the importance of finding a mentor that is right for you. My mentor, Stephanie Jaeger, was so incredibly pivotal to my career. I owe where I am now in my career to her and everything she taught me. This industry is tough and hard and to have someone to guide you and provide support is crucial. I believe the mentorship in this industry is uniquely special.
Photo by Sarah Annand
share:
March 13th, 2026 at 5:21 am
Mindless scrolling through social media eventually melts my brain completely after a long afternoon. Searching for something hilariously absurd to play led me down a very weird internet rabbit hole. You can experience Chaotic meme-style 3D gameplay and fast reactions in [Buy a Brainrot Original 3D]. Dodging bizarre internet jokes while running at maximum speed is strangely addictive. Anyone who understands modern internet humor will definitely appreciate this ridiculous digital masterpiece.
March 14th, 2026 at 2:04 pm
I enjoy online games that mix simple rules with strategy and quick decision-making. Recently I’ve been looking for something similar to classic mines-style games but with a modern twist. Are there any good comparisons or guides that explain how different versions of this type of game work?
March 14th, 2026 at 2:22 pm
Sometimes when I’m bored online I start digging through random gaming blogs just out of curiosity. I recently found this article https://odds96.com/en/blog/crazy-time-bonus-and-promocodes which explains how bonus offers and promo codes work in games like Crazy Time. It’s a pretty simple overview, but it helped me understand how different promotions and rewards are usually structured.
March 17th, 2026 at 10:34 am
I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of being able to work from anywhere in the world where there’s internet access and an electrical outlet. Trading offers the kind of freedom every office worker dreams of, and it really works if you take the right approach. Check out the remote trading opportunities at https://roboforex.com/ they have excellent mobile solutions for travelers. I’ve been traveling for three months now and continue to trade successfully in the market. This is the life I’ve always dreamed of!
March 17th, 2026 at 3:34 pm
Lossless is more than just a token — it’s a security protocol designed to protect crypto projects from hacks. It can detect suspicious activity, freeze fraudulent transactions, and even help return stolen funds. I came across a clear explanation while reading https://lossless.cash/, and it shows how the system adds an extra safety layer for DeFi users.
March 17th, 2026 at 3:35 pm
What makes Lossless interesting is that it focuses on preventing losses rather than just reacting after something goes wrong. The protocol uses detection tools and community input to identify suspicious transactions and stop them early. While looking into it, I found more details on https://lossless.cash/ and it helped me understand how this kind of protection can be useful in the DeFi space.
March 17th, 2026 at 3:36 pm
What makes Lossless interesting is that it focuses on preventing losses rather than just reacting after something goes wrong. The protocol uses detection tools and community input to identify suspicious transactions and stop them early. While looking into it, I found more details on https://lossless.cash/ and it helped me understand how this kind of protection can be useful in the DeFi space.
March 18th, 2026 at 1:25 am
In practice, the easiest way is to search via themed websites and curated collections, where different creators are already grouped by category. This helps you find your bearings more quickly and avoid wasting time on random searches. You can also check out recommendations on social media or look out for similar profiles. Over time, you’ll develop a sense of what kind of content https://www.dillafest.com/ appeals to you most, and searching will become easier. The key is not to limit yourself to a single source, but to try different options to find profiles that are genuinely interesting.
March 19th, 2026 at 12:43 pm
Visuals are the first thing that catches the eye, but presentation and consistency are what matter most in the long run. Popular models often use a specific strategy: they create content in series, stick to a single style, and actively engage with their audience. It’s also important to understand trends and adapt them to your own style, rather than simply copying them. If you look at successful platforms featuring model https://www.griffinchophouse.com/ line-ups, you can see that they all have their own ‘niche’ — be it a particular shooting style, emotions or atmosphere. It is precisely this that sets them apart from the rest and helps them grow faster.