Plating For Purpose: Chef Portrait Series

About The Project

‘Plating For A Purpose: Chef Portrait Series’ captures the spirit and stories of five chefs through intimate photographic portraits, and paired with the personal journey of the chef beyond the kitchen. This project aims to connect audiences with the humanity of hospitality, showing that behind each creation is a person with a rich story and passion.”

Join us at the Healthy Mind Menu Annual Fundraising Dinner on October 28th to experience these portraits and connect with the heart behind the chefs.

About the Photographer

This series is brought to life by Ophélie Barbeau, a professional photographer and anthropologist. Ophélie combines her talent for visual storytelling with her expertise in ethnographic techniques, such as observation and interviews, to create portraits that capture the authentic stories of each chef. Her unique approach adds a deeper layer of meaning to each image, bridging the digital and human worlds through relatable, powerful visual narratives.

“Behind the toque lies a person with a beautiful story of progress, hardship, teamwork, and success—qualities that have inspired this photography project. Through this work, I had the unique privilege of stepping into the world of these chefs, hoping to foster relatability and recognition. It reminds us all that hospitality workers carry stories, experiences, and personalities that extend far beyond their job titles.

We have unveiled incredible anecdotes and memories along their journeys, often hidden from view in the hustle of a busy kitchen. This project became an opportunity to employ a storytelling approach to reveal insights and understand the challenges and realities that shape the industry. Importantly, certain things are changing for the better, and we observed a better understanding of what communication should look like within a team, as well as positive outcomes related to contemporary work-life balance. This project serves as a spark to keep these conversations with hospitality workers alive, fostering deeper recognition and creating genuine connections.” ~ Ophélie Barbeau

Meet the Chefs Behind Your Meal

Explore the personal journeys and lived experiences of each chef who has crafted tonight’s menu. Click on each portrait to uncover more photos and the unique story of each chef.