Jeffery Young was the executive chef of the Westin Resort and Spa from 2008 to 2011. Before coming to Whistler, he had graduated with top marks from the Vancouver Community College in 1990, completed an apprentice program at the Pan Pacific Hotel, and worked for ten years as a hotel chef in Halifax, Winnipeg, Toronto, Vancouver, and Tofino. A Red Seal Certified chef, he had received 19 culinary medals, been named British Columbia's Chef of the Year, and participated in competitions such as the 1987 World Culinary Arts Festival and the 2008 Culinary Olympics, by the time of his appointment to the Westin. Although classically trained in French cuisine, he has been influenced by his colleagues from around the world to create his own unique West Coast style of cooking. He prefers to use local B.C. produce whenever possible. Young has since moved on to work in the Vancouver area.