Chef Ian McHale
Wildebeest
IAN MCHALE As Wildebeest’s Chef, Ian McHale manages the day-to-day back-of-house operations,
fusing his straightforward, old-school approach with contemporary technique. A true champion of
Wildebeest’s farm-to-table ethos, he takes great pride in collaborating with local farmers and butchers to
run the Gastown hotspot’s innovative nose-to-tail culinary program. He relishes the gastronomical
freedom he has to work with offal and other unique cuts of meat, and spearheads the restaurant’s 100-
per cent in-house charcuterie program. Born and raised in Maryland, McHale first developed a passion for
hospitality in 2010 while working at Mia Carolina Glyndon, a small mom-and-pop Italian restaurant in his
hometown. After culinary school, he relocated across the pond to complete a 16-month stint at the
acclaimed five star Merrion Hotel in Dublin, Ireland. He later took on the role of Senior Chef De Partie at
the Michelin-starred Chapter One Restaurant where he further honed his skills working in a fast-paced
kitchen. His hands-on experience helped him place in the final five at the Euro-Toques Young Chef of the
Year Competition, Ireland’s premier culinary contest for talented young chefs under 26. In May 2016,
McHale relocated to Vancouver to join the team at Wildebeest.
