Who’s Who: Stephane Levac, Hey Good Lookin’, Whatcha Got Cookin’?

Who’s Who: Stephane Levac, Hey Good Lookin’, Whatcha Got Cookin’?

By Mike Butler

I scroll through the Facebook feed a lot… I’m a man about town so I have to keep up on all the business that’s happening, and every now and then I see these great photos of delicious-looking food and the occasional smirking selfies of the man behind these scrumptious dishes, Stephane Levac. I am very excited to tell you about this truly wonderful man, talented chef, and inspiration to many. I’m glad he agreed to be a part of my Who’s Who column.

Stephane Levac and his family moved to Wolfville five years ago from Ottawa, Ontario. I know what you’re thinking, it seems like he’s lived here forever because he’s built himself into the framework of our community, and in only five short years he’s established himself as such! What brought him here? Well, Stephane had been working in the gaming industry for quite some time and felt like he needed a career change. We all say “Thank You!”

Stephane Levac is the chef/owner of Frais Catering. He states, “Cooking was always something that I liked to do to entertain friends but had never thought about doing on a large scale. My partner Sarah and I catered her parents 40th Wedding Anniversary before we started the business. It was a hit, and that’s when we decided to go for it! Catering has allowed me to meet new people, work in different environments, and be part of something really special that’s going on here in the Annapolis Valley!”

There certainly is no shortage of food celebrations and appreciation here in the Valley and Stephane feels right at home in the industry. I mentioned the good pictures earlier but a picture does not do the dishes justice… take it from me, Stephane’s cooking is well worth tracking down and trying. This year, Stephane and his partner are looking to take Frais Catering to the next level, so keep an eye out for how it develops. You can also find them at the Wolfville Farmers’ Market where they’ve built a wonderful and successful following with their bagels and other treats. He says, “Every year we get busier with catering and the market is no different, so we’re keeping our eyes open for our own space. Once that happens, sky’s the limit!” For questions and catering needs, please contact Stephane at info@fraiscatering.ca.

When he’s not cooking up a storm, Stephane is usually floating about Wolfville and the surrounding area taking in the scenery and capturing gorgeous images through his other big hobby, photography! He says, “I love taking pictures! I’m still very much a tourist around here. At any given chance, I’m out driving with my son looking for that next shot. I mean, I don’t have to look too far because this place is beautiful! It’s so easy to get inspired. Whether it translates on the plate, or through photography, that’s what I love about living here! I’ve been thinking about doing something with my photos this year, so look out for that.” In the meantime, I encourage you all to feast your eyes on Stephane’s photos by following him on Instagram @fraiscaterer.

I seek inspiration wherever I can. I love writing about people who inspire me because it gives me a platform to tell them, and all my readers, how much it means to have them in my world. I draw inspiration from those in the Arts, Sciences, Health and Medicine, and many other fields. In Stephane’s case, besides being inspired by his culinary talents and his artistic eye with photography, I was recently inspired by his bravery to go public about his struggles with alcohol and his fight to stay sober. Stephane took the sobriety plunge on September 3, 2016 and hasn’t looked back, drawing support from friends and family, and he’s knocking his addiction on its ass!! Keep it up Stephane!

On living in this area, Stephane says that both the beauty of the area, and the people who live here, are what make this place special. He says, “There’s such a strong sense of community here. People are interested in what you do or what you’ve been up to. I’ve had a tremendous amount of support for what I do and I couldn’t imagine doing it anywhere else. The flood of support I’ve received both in my business and my personal life are greatly appreciated!”