'22 Soup's On Participating Restaurants
Tanner Genck
Chef Tanner Genck serves as executive chef at the AC Lounge in the AC Hotel Vancouver Waterfront, the region's next must-visit lodging and dining destination. As the AC Lounge's executive chef, Tanner leads the hotel's culinary team and spearheads the menu planning for the day-to-day operations of the lounge. Having most recently served as the executive chef at Beaches Restaurant & Bar, Genck's inaugural menu for the lounge offers Mediterranean-inspired large and small plates featuring local and seasonal ingredients.
Tanner has over 25 years of restaurant experience and graduated from the Culinary Institute of America at Hyde Park, New York, in 2006. His culinary career started at PC's Paddock Restaurant in Poughkeepsie, New York, serving every kitchen position over the course of eleven years. He also worked as executive chef for Brio Italian Grille, leading many of the company's locations across the country before heading to the Pacific Northwest in 2016. By combining his deep knowledge of diverse culinary styles with experience managing expansive kitchens, Tanner develops sophisticated dishes while effortlessly managing the demands of a large kitchen.
Since moving to the Vancouver area six years ago, Tanner has dedicated himself to giving back to the community and is well known to the area's nonprofits and support services. One of his favorite nonprofit fundraisers is Share's annual Soup's On event, where local chefs compete to create the most inventive and delicious soups and stews to raise funds for housing and food for local families and community members. In addition, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic Tanner worked with local groups to create and serve meals to those in need.
Mike Culver
Mychal won the Golden Ladle in 2015! The son of a bakery lady and a butcher, he developed a passion for food at a young age. Not surprisingly, he went on to complete the Clark College Culinary Program in 2011, then to Mill Creek Pub, first as a pantry cook and then as the Executive Chef and Kitchen Manager. He stayed until 2016 when he took his talents to Beaches Restaurant & Bar and Warehouse ’23. Mychal believes in buying from local farmers, using organic whenever possible and focuses on healthy options for his dishes. He eventually wants to share his dream of owning his own restaurant someday with his son, Skyler, so he can pass on his motto: “Build a scheme, build your team and fulfill your dream.”
Bonnie Brasure
Bonnie Brasure (also known as the Pastry Princess) is the owner and Executive Chef of Bleu Door Bakery where her love of all things sweet shows. In 2020, Bonnie won the coveted Golden Ladle award! In 2017 Bonnie won both Soup’s On! Golden Ladle and the Presenting Sponsor Award! Bonnie is a graduate of New England Culinary Institute in Vermont. Bonnie moved to Portland in 1993 and quickly became a team member at Ron Paul Catering & Charcuterie. She spent years working in all aspects of the restaurant world including chef, manager and supplier. In 2011, she grasped the chance to open a small bakery and Bleu Door Bakery was born. She later expanded to include a café with a larger and more diverse menu and has recently undergone yet another expansion in order to serve her growing fan club!
Timothy McCusker
Feast 316 is owned by Tim and Melisa McCusker who have proudly made their home in the Camas/Washougal area for the past 11 years. While in Charleston, they owned and operated an eclectic dining venue called A Culinary Art Company and well as their own event catering business known as Pacific Dreams Catering. Chef McCusker, a graduate of Chichester College with a degree in Hotel and Catering Management, was born in Douglas, Isle of Mann, United Kingdom, but spent most of his young adulthood in England. His desire to learn and further develop his palate took him all throughout Europe (i.e. Gilbraltar, Spain, Clois, France) before eventually crossing the Atlantic to settle in New Orleans, Louisiana.Melissa McCusker received her Bachelors of Science in Psychology from the University of Vermont. A native of Baltimore, MD, Melissa’s vision and business savvy has been the foundation of their restaurant success, both in Charleston, SC and here in Camas, WA.
Marian Adams
Marian was the Soup's On! Presenting Sponsor's Award winner in both 2019 and 2021, and the Chef's Choice Award winner in 2017! She began her career at a small bed and breakfast in Middleburg, Virginia before heading west 14 years ago. After a brief time in western Montana, she moved to Vancouver and forged her management career at Tommy O’s Pacific Rim Bistro. With the encouragement of friends and family, she pursued her desires of opening a location that embraces her southern roots and pioneer spirit. Frontier’s menu is a collection of comfort foods from around the globe that bring flavors together in both traditional and new ways.
Timothy Conklin
Tim Conklin is the 2019 Soup’s On! Golden Ladle Award winner and the 2018 Soup’s On! Presenting Sponsor Award winner! He is originally from Portland but now lives in Vancouver with his wife and two kids. He started in the restaurant business as a dishwasher and moved up through the kitchen. “I was kind of born into the restaurant business, as my dad has worked in the industry for 35 years.” Some of Tim’s hobbies include spending time with his family, sports, gardening and of course cooking on his days off.
Bob Rasaphanthong
Bob Rasaphangthong won the 2020 Chef's Choice award and in 2018 he won both the Golden Ladle Award and Chef’s Choice Award! Bob was born in Portland and began cooking at age eight, guided by his father of African-French and Lao descent and his mother of Chinese and Lao descent. He found his passion for opening a restaurant during his time working at Tarathai, a Portland-area family restaurant. At Nom Nom, Bob works alongside his mother who helps to piece together old family recipes and to balance out the flavors. In the Urban Dictionary, Nom Nom means ‘eat delicious food.’ “Even if I don’t win the contest, I feel blessed to be invited by Share, as it’s all for a good cause and helping our community grow.” Bob also owns Saap Fusion located at Grand Central in Vancouver and has opened a second location for Nom Nom in the Pearl District of Portland.
Peter Gallin
Peter is executive chef and owner of Say Ciao! Creative Catering/Columbia River Tap Room and Eatery, and is a devotee to fresh, healthy Northwest regional and International cuisine. He is a graduate of the California Culinary Academy located in San Francisco, California with a curriculum focused on classical French cooking techniques. He has worked as a chef since graduation in 1988, both as a caterer as well as chef du cuisine at numerous restaurants. Peter’s philosophy on food is “Simplicity is elegance”; use local ingredients when you can and give your guests approachable food in portion sizes that make for guests to feel comfortable with how they dine.
Jason Fish
3 Sheets is a beautiful restaurant located on the Hayden Island waterfront with sweeping views of the mighty Columbia River and Salpare Bay.
3 Sheets showcases locally inspired cuisine prepared classically with a modern touch.