Paul Finkelstein

Paul Finkelstein is a father of three who values family, freedom, and above all, adventure. Paul grew up in Toronto as the youngest of five and the only boy. His earliest childhood food memory was of chicken feet climbing out of the pot while visiting his Jewish grandmother. Connected to the food industry from a very young age, he used his skills in the kitchen and his entrepreneurial spirit to travel around the world and to put himself through Queen's University where he completed both an undergraduate and teaching degree. While at Queen's, Paul also co-edited a book on diversity and equity issues which is in the National Library.

Paul's focus on food intensified while attending the Stratford Chef's School. After graduating with the top practical cookery award he traveled to Tuscany to chef at a private villa before later returning to Stratford to open a bistro and bakery with a classmate. With the birth of his first child Ella, Paul left restaurant ownership and headed to Stratford Northwestern Secondary School where he was able to combine his culinary passion with teaching.

Ever the entrepreneur, Paul returned to the restaurant game with the opening of the student run Screaming Avocado Cafe. This was soon followed by the revitalizing of a school courtyard and the development of 3000 square feet of organic gardens that are maintained by and help feed the student population. Fink's culinary club runs bi-weekly dinners and uses the proceeds to have worldly food adventures. To date the club has eaten their way through Japan, New York City, The Northwest Territories, British Columbia, Toronto and most recently Italy.