THE COLLECTIVE
Rooted in the Sea to Sky, The Collective Kitchen brings together thoughtful food and a trusted collective of chefs, partners, and producers to create memorable events of every scale.
Chef John Ferris
The Collective Kitchen is led by Chef John Ferris, whose cooking is rooted in Pacific Northwest cuisine and a farm-to-table philosophy focused on seasonality, simplicity, and the highest-quality local ingredients.
A native Texan, John refined his craft in acclaimed kitchens across North America, including Portland’s Veritable Quandary, San Diego’s Nine-Ten Restaurant, and five years as Chef de Cuisine at Whistler’s Araxi Restaurant. With over two decades of experience spanning intimate gatherings to large-scale international events, his approach reflects a deep respect for place, thoughtful technique, and food meant to be shared.
Great food starts with respect—for the ingredient and the place.
Carrie Meltzer
Carrie leads front-of-house and operations at The Collective Kitchen, bringing a calm, thoughtful approach to planning and service that ensures every event runs seamlessly from start to finish.
Originally from Ontario, Carrie made her home on the West Coast in 2003 and has built a career in Whistler’s hospitality scene, working across everything from high-energy après venues to refined mountain dining. Her experience spans service, management, and operations, shaped by years working alongside respected chefs, sommeliers, and hospitality professionals. After joining The Collective Kitchen in 2016, Carrie found a natural alignment with the team’s values—supporting local producers, celebrating seasonal ingredients, and creating meaningful experiences for clients during life’s most important gatherings.
It’s about creating moments people remember.
The Collective
We collaborate with a trusted network of local farmers, fishermen, purveyors, rental partners, florists, planners, and creatives who share our standards and values. These relationships allow us to source exceptional ingredients, work efficiently in unique spaces, and create events that feel both elevated and grounded in place.