A senior "statesman" of the culinary world, Bruno Marti, CM*, OBC* is a world-class chef who has advanced the culinary arts in British Columbia and Canada. The retired owner of La Belle Auberge, an award-winning restaurant in Ladner, British Columbia, he is lauded for his leadership in gastronomy on the world stage. He has mentored Canadian chefs for over four decades, and has coached and led teams in international competitions, including the Culinary Olympics.

[*Ed. CM = “Order of Canada”; OBC = Order of British Columbia]

Bruno’s abiding business principle is ‘love what you do and demand the same from all your staff’. His love of gastronomy has always come from the pleasure of doing something that others appreciate and enjoy; from taking nature’s gifts to create a wonderful dining experience for customers every day.

On June 27, 2024, the Governor General of Canada announced that Bruno had been invested with the Order of Canada, country’s highest civilian award. The Order is how the country honours people who make extraordinary contributions to the nation. The Order recognizes people in all sectors of Canadian society. Their contributions are varied, yet they have all enriched the lives of others

Reflecting on his award, Bruno said, “I did not spend my life hoping to be rewarded with the highest civilian honour a country has to offer, yet I did appreciate all the accolades that came my way. None just showed up! I had to work for them.

If anything made me stronger, it was competing. The challenge and the aim for perfection keeps making you better and being better gives you self-confidence. Once you get that, you will be a very different person, more giving, less taking, having a life that you can like.

My award proves that a culinary professional can be recognized in our country together with some of our finest citizens, even when an MBA or Doctorate is not present. May my Order of Canada be a motivator for many of our future professionals, that would make me very happy, knowing, it is not just for me but for our culinary profession.”

Bruno’s Chaîne career stretches for more than 50 years
1970 - joined as a Chef Rôtisseur
1974 - promoted to Vice-Conseiller Culinaire
1985 - promoted to Officier Chef Rôtisseur [Ed. a now defunct grade]
1986 - transferred to be an Officier Maître Rôtisseur
2000 - promoted to Grand Officier Maître Rôtisseur
2018 - became Grand Officier Maître Rôtisseur Honoraire

Crowning this career, for his 50 years uninterrupted membership of the Chaîne, naturally Bruno was presented with the Grand Officer Commandeur Award.

Prepared by a Chaîne News Online Staff Writer, principally from material provided by Bruno Marti, to whom we express our deep appreciation, together with from  various other sources. E&OE