Corbin Tomaszeski began his career with Holt Renfrew in Edmonton where he became Executive Chef of the restaurant in 1997. Three years later, Holt Renfrew planned to develop their food services and revitalize their food and beverage operations from the hub at Toronto's Bloor Street Flagship. Tomaszeski was given the nod, moving to Toronto to lead the endeavour. In July 2002 Holt's Café was launched. Tomaszeski created a unique menu, the first of it's kind in Toronto that featured tartines.
Tomaszeski began honing his craft at an age where he was barely able to see over the top of the stove. Growing up on a farm in central Alberta with his five brothers and sisters he remembers how he took it upon himself to help out by preparing meals and baking for his family. Helping to farm and raise animals, he developed a real appreciation for good food, well prepared. His traditional Polish background also reinforced the fact that everything should be made from scratch using only the finest and freshest ingredients, a philosophy he carries with him today.
Corbin attended the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology and was enrolled in the Culinary Arts program at 17. He achieved his Red Seal status and graduated with high honours. After receiving a number of scholarships he was awarded top cooking student in 1992. At this time Corbin toiled in many kitchens as he moved up the ranks from apprentice to sous chef and had the opportunity to work and apprentice under award winning chefs such as Dion Dayanandan and Simon Smotkowicz who was culinary captain of Team Canada for the internationally acclaimed Cooking Olympics. Much of Corbin's success can be attributed to his great sense of humour, he can always be found in the kitchen making everyone laugh and kidding around to ease the pressure in such a stressful environment. Whether asking a new team member to search for a bottle of elbow grease under the sink, or urgently sending them down the hallway for a bucket of steam to poach some salmon, he's always got a good joke up his sleeve.
Tomaszeski has unique talent, combining his natural culinary gifts and artistic flair with extraordinary customer service. Not to bury himself in the kitchen, he loves to be hands on in the front lines, personally meeting and accommodating his customer's every need. Tomaszeski has an attention to detail that delights a highly discriminating clientele and his plates are known to be as beautiful and dramatic to view as they are wonderful to eat.
Tomaszeski lives in Toronto with his wife and son.