Interview With Jens Larsens – Head Chef at NE Heli Skiing
At Northern Escape Heli Skiing here in beautiful British Columbia Canada, we are stoked to announce a new member to our management team: Jens Larsen. If you have visited us recently, chances are you got a taste of Jens’ delicious meals. In his new role as Executive Chef/Assistant Lodge Manager, Jens Larsen will meticulously plan your every single bite, ensure variety for your thirstiness needs, and make sure that every heli skiing guest is having a great time.
Get to know Jens Larsen
Northern Escape Heli Skiing: You came from a seasonal position to a full-time one. Tell us about your new position with NE Heli Skiing. Can we expect some exciting changes?
Jens Larsen: It was time to put down some roots. It was a great opportunity to base my life around the heli skiing industry and move away from seasonal work in the sport fishing industry. My new position is Executive Chef, Assistant Lodge Manager. You can definitely expect exciting changes! Every heli ski season brings new staff and next year I will be onboarding a new Head Chef. I’m excited for this opportunity and the fresh ideas collaboration will bring about.
NEH: You moved here to Terrace British Columbia for the job. What has that been like for you?
Jens: Educational! Sort of exciting with life projects. For 6 years I have worked in seasonal resort positions all over British Columbia. It feels like the right place at the right time to settle down in an affordable heli skiing town.
NEH: How would you describe your job to a child?
Jens: I am responsible for keeping the staff organized, clients happy, and food quality as best as it can be.
NEH: What does a typical day look like for you and what are you currently working on?
Jens: A typical day consists of planning Food & Beverage, and ski lodge logistics down to an individual level, for both staff and [heli skiing] guests. I’m currently working on how to provide hot, bistro-quality sandwiches for our field lunches program. I want our food program to be at the top of the heli ski industry.
NEH: What three words would you use to describe your role?
Jens: I would say organization, structure, and support for all departments.
NEH: If you could switch jobs with someone in the company, who would it be and why?
Jens: I would switch jobs with one of our trail guides … free heli skiing!
NEH: What do you like most about your job?
Jens: The perspective of the bigger picture; the fact that I can create and implement ideas that will improve the quality of the staff and guest experience.
NEH: What is your motto or personal mantra?
Jens: “Don’t sweat the small stuff.”
NEH: What’s your favourite line from a film?
Jens: It is a line from Scarface – “The guys that last in this business, are the guys who fly straight. Low-key, quiet. But the guys who want it all, chicas, champagne, flash… they don’t last.”
NEH: What is your guilty pleasure?
Jens: Ichiban Noodles! Just noodles, no veggies and no garnish. Definitely not good for me but I can’t resist sometimes.
NEH: What is your biggest achievement to date – personal or professional?
Jens: Personally, my biggest achievement to date was buying my house. Professionally, it was a restaurant in Victoria, BC, that I got to help open up. The first menu that I helped create there was top notch.
NEH: Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?
Jens: I play around with the guitar, and something called segmented wood turning. (Lathe turning patterned wood composed of multiple glued-together parts.)
NEH: If we went to happy hour, what would you order?
Jens: Double Caesar, extra spicy!
NEH: What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job?
Jens: I’m a forward-thinking person. I have a personal belief that you have to better yourself in a progressive way. You can’t allow yourself to stagnate.
NEH: How do you think your colleagues would describe you?
Jens: I think they would say I’m a good guy, hard-working. I like to have fun and I’m a good cook.
NEH: What are you happiest doing when you are not working?
Jens: Playing music and recreating outside.
NEH: What’s it like working for Northern Escape Heli Skiing?
Jens: I find that NE Heli Skiing is a great vehicle to develop yourself and to create stability in your life. It allows you the opportunity for professional development and to gain skills. Things that will help me in the long run.
About NE Heli Skiing in BC Canada
2019 will mark our 15th year and we are proud to host international heli skiing guests from around the globe including the UK, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Italy, France, the USA and Japan. Many are repeat customers who come to Northern Escape Heli Skiing here in British Columbia Canada, to experience some of the deepest, and lightest, untracked powder. Our heli skiing packages include 3-day, 4-day, 5-day, and 7-day heli skiing trips with backup snowcat skiing in our Catland heli skiing zone.
Visit our Booking page for available dates for 2019 and come heli skiing in Canada!
To learn more about our company or any of the heli skiing packages we offer, please call us at 1-866-619-3184 or send us an email.
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https://www.facebook.com/neheliskiing