Chef David Leeder

David Leeder

Chef

Background and Experience

Like many people who pursue a career in the culinary industry, David fell in love with cooking around the table of his family and the influence of his Italian Grandmother who worked as a Red Seal Chef and ran an institutional kitchen. Pasta was rolled by hand, the smell of bubbling sauces was always in the air and a respect for food’s ability to bring people together was learned from a young age.

After attending the NAIT Culinary Program in Edmonton Alberta, David set his sights on Spain and worked as a saucier in the Carnes section at 3 Michelin Star restaurant Martin Berasategui (***) in the Basque town of Lasarte-Oria. 

David joined the team at Rene Redzepi’s restaurant Noma (***) in 2014 running the restaurant’s grill section. He was one of four staff hand-selected to join the opening team of the Noma-backed restaurant 108 (*) 2015-2016, run by Chef Kristian Bauman. 

From 2017-2018 David moved to Paris, France and worked as Chef De Cuisine at Michelin Stared restaurant Frenchie (*), working with Chef Gregory Marchand. 

In early 2023 David was recruited to work for Chef Thomas Keller at 3 Michelin Star Per Se (***) in New York as Executive Sous Chef. As part of the executive management team David received the restaurant education and mentorship of a lifetime and the opportunity to work with one of the greatest living chefs. 

As of 2024 David will be returning home to Calgary Alberta Canada and is looking keep elevating the standards of the Canadian culinary scene