Nicolas Hipperson

Nicolas Hipperson

Owner and Founder

AGE: 28

COMPANY: Farm2Fork Private Dining and Underground Restaurant

The Story: Growing up in Regina, all signs pointed to Nicolas Hipperson’s destiny as a chef—even if he didn’t realize it: “I was in denial about wanting to be a chef,” he says. Most of his family gravitated toward business ventures, but Hipperson found inspiration in his grandmother’s kitchen, where she whipped up delicious meals using fresh ingredients from her garden. These days, Hipperson, a graduate of the culinary arts program at the Art Institute of Vancouver and former executive chef at Raincity Grill, draws on both family traditions with his sustainable private dining outfit Farm2Fork. A champion of the local food movement, Farm2Fork showcases local ingredients and offers diners an educational eating experience.

Markers of Success: Since opening in 2011, Farm2Fork has gone from a Raincity Grill side gig to a full-scale affair. Hipperson saw sales total over $100,000 in 2014, employs three full-time staff and has donated cuisine to Jacqui Cohen’s Face the World Foundation and the 2014 Children’s Wish Foundation Gala. He periodically opens pop-up restaurants around town, and a permanent location is on the horizon. —Jessica Barrett

Meet Nicolas Hipperson and the rest of the 2015 30 Under 30 winners at this year’s celebration event!