MEET THE TEAM

The Vision Behind the Taste

OUR MODERN CHEFS

A male chef with tattooed arm wearing a white chef's coat and black apron, standing outdoors on a balcony with a city view in the background.
A smiling male chef with a mustache, wearing a white chef's coat and a black apron, standing outdoors on a balcony with a blurred body of water in the background.
Man smiling outdoors on a balcony, wearing a white chef coat and a striped apron with a brown neck strap, in an urban setting with city buildings in the background.
A male chef with glasses and tattooed arms, wearing a white chef's jacket and a black apron, standing on a balcony with a cityscape in the background.
A smiling male chef in a white coat and black apron standing outdoors on a balcony with a cityscape background.

  • CHEF + FOUNDER

    Chef Deon Asencio has 10+ years of cooking, culinary and hospitality experience and has travelled worldwide to cook for brands such as Gucci, Bloomingdales, Hugo Boss, Cartier, Tiffany & Co. and more.

    Most recently, Chef Deon founded Modern Chef Society to share his passion for cooking with the world and start a new cooking journey outside of the restaurant kitchen.

    “I've witnessed the power that food has to bring people together. It doesn't matter which walk of life you come from, what colour your skin is or how old you are - you can always find common ground by sitting down and enjoying a delicious meal together.”

  • Chef

    Chef Gianluca Russo brings over 20 years of culinary expertise to Modern Chef Society. Having started as a culinary competitor and even appearing on breakfast TV as a teenager, Chef Russo has amassed a wealth of experience and knowledge throughout his career. From overseeing banquets for 700 guests to working in Italian restaurants, gastropubs in Yaletown, and high-pressure corporate kitchens, Chef Gianluca delivers a refined, distinctive, and exceptional dining experience to every guest he serves.  "Few things are more beautiful than watching people disappear in a dining experience. It's not just the art of food, but the art of togetherness. This is what I'm driven to bring to the modern chef society" 

  • CHEF

    Riley started his culinary journey by leaving his small hometown at age 17. He started working at a food truck and quickly climbed the ranks moving to 5-star hotels as well as fine-dining restaurants. After being appointed Head Chef at age 21 he officially established himself within the industry.

    Riley's passion for cooking and eagerness to learn has allowed him to strive for excellence. Now his goal is to ensure every special moment at Modern Chef Society turns into a memory.

  • CHEF

    Chef Trevor Lee is the newest member of the Modern Chef Society team. As a protegé under Chef Deon for the past 3 years, he's now ready to take charge of his own private dining experiences. Chef Trevor has worked in many different restaurant concepts throughout his 6+ years in the industry, opening some of Vancouver’s favourite venues in a leadership capacity. 

    Despite being one of the youngest members of the team, his mandate is to share his passion and love for food to connect people and bring them together.

  • CHEF

    Tanwar Oberoi is a Red Seal certified chef with over a decade of experience in hospitality. Starting at 16, his passion for cooking quickly grew, and by 19, he became head chef of a multi-million-dollar restaurant. His leadership further expanded as a regional trainer, overseeing multiple restaurants across British Columbia.

    Driven by the belief that food brings people together, Tanwar creates unforgettable experiences with bold flavors and innovative takes on traditional dishes. His love for cooking began in childhood, inspired by his parents’ restaurant in India, where he first witnessed the magic of culinary teamwork.

BEHIND

THE SCENES

A smiling young man with light brown hair, a beard, wearing a dark purple button-up shirt and light gray pants, standing outdoors on a city balcony with blurred cityscape background.
A young woman with long, wavy light brown hair smiling outdoors on a balcony with a blurred cityscape background.
A young woman with red hair tied back, wearing a cream-colored blazer and a light blue top, smiling outdoors with a cityscape background.

  • MARKETING DIRECTOR

    Tyrone found his passion for the hospitality industry working in casual fine dining for 6 years prior to joining Modern Chef Society. He is a people oriented person who enjoys travelling, learning new cultures, and making genuine connections.

    As a former business student, through his studies he has developed skills in marketing, media relations, social media, event planning, and graphic design. What is special to him about Modern Chef Society is how rewarding it is to make every customer's dream event come to life.

  • EVENT COORDINATOR

    Tisha got her start in the hospitality industry almost a decade ago. With a passion for planning trips, parties, and experience for her own friends, Modern Chef Society provided the platform to share that talent on a larger scale. 

     Her creative eye and meticulous attention to detail make her perfect for the role. Known for her easygoing attitude and kindhearted demeanor, Tisha will always make sure you enjoy the process and provide you with an unforgettable experience.

  • SALES DIRECTOR

    Sarah first began her relationship with the company as a client. With her 10+ years of experience in hospitality and events, paired with her 5+ years of experience in sales and customer relations, she quickly became an essential part of the Modern Chef Society team.

    Sarah’s expertise in hospitality and unmatched work ethic is why she always has the customer’s best interest in mind; going above and beyond to provide clients with the most personalized and rewarding experience. Her charming approach is why she was chosen to be the first person a client speaks with to immerse them in an elevated dining experience.