Lonny Middleton grew up in the 70’s on an organic Raspberry-turned-Hobby farm in the Fraser Valley, just outside Abbotsford B.C.
His parents grew everything themselves, from award-winning berries to Black Angus cows, chickens, sheep and pigs. Canning, drying, butchering and freezing 90% of the food this growing family of 5 needed.
Upon reflection, in later years, this strong family culture of food and respecting the people who prepared it really did start this future chef on the right track.
Starting his first dishwasher job at Abbotsford’s favourite, “The Copper Kettle” in the early 80’s, and summer job pea harvesting in Chilliwack, this wanna-be chef, soon wandered to Jasper Alberta.
Here is where he worked at several places including The Sawridge Hotel and was soon invited to assist in the first winter opening of the Jasper Park Lodge during its first ever winter opening.