The team that has gravitated to “42” is talented, eclectic and very approachable. The common themes to their very diverse characters is a love of food and a passion for sustainability.

Susan

Chef Susan Jessup

Susan Jessup has celebrated local and seasonal ingredients with pride and respect, while personalizing food distribution and creative meal preparation all her life. From her childhood adventures gathering and helping prepare wild foods; to a sojourn in France, appreciating the boulangeries, patisseries, marchés and cafés; to the opportunity to showcase the wonderful foods of the Ottawa-Gatineau region for her students, clients and customers – who have included diplomats, Members of Parliament and renowned artists.

Susan is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute, and a member of the CCFCC. She worked at Café Chez Eric in Wakefield as evening chef for four years, where she was given the creative license to develop a menu of specials that emphasized game, fish and regional farm product.  She was part of the executive team that developed the Wakefield Harvest Festival, was a founding member of Slow Food Ottawa Gatineau, as well as a member of Just Food and the “Buy Local Campaign,” a co-initiative of Just Food and Ottawa Tourism.

Susan is a core instructor at the Urban Element.  She has taught culinary arts and functioned as a culinary guide for private, public, community and health institutions, as well as media representatives, while consistently forging links between producers and consumers.

Susan has been featured in Ottawa newspapers and on CBC radio as an enthusiastic advocate and guide for eating well but responsibly.

Susan’s particular talent for creating with what is available is a core part of the seasonal mandate at “42″.  Our menu options change with the growing cycles and recipe ingredients are skillfully modified to showcase what is delivered by the farmers and producers.

Aidan

Aidan our in house philosopher and musician. He also provides significant kitchen support, gracious customer service and fixes things when necessary.

Anika

Anika joined team “42″ at the beginning of November as she was in the Intermediate portion of her Cuisine Diploma at Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts Institute Ottawa.  Now, in her Superior class, she manages to integrate her knowledge from school with the valuable experience she continuously gains at 42 Crichton.  She will then go on to complete the Patisserie Diploma which, combined with the Cuisine Diploma, will qualify her for Le Grand Diplome.

After her formal education, she hopes to combine her love of food with her love of travel – going wherever her nose culinary senses will take her!

Hannah

Hannah has worked with Susan (off and on) for the last five years.  Hannah started as an apprentice at Chez Eric and has also worked on Juniper farm, a Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) organic farm in Wakefield.  She is an outdoor enthusiast, rock climber, kayaker and world traveler.  She has a keen interest in polar science that was sparked by a recent expedition to Antarctica as well as an upcoming trip to the Artic.  Hannah is working towards a masters in environmental and social sustainability, specializing in sustainable agriculture.  She is a passionate advocate of the local and slow foods movement and has a “farmers first” attitude.  Hannah feels incredibly privileged to work in an environment that not only allows for but encourages and facilitates experiential learning and travel.

Melissa

Melissa came to us with pastry experience that she gained in Montreal and with the experience of having run her own catering business in Toronto.  She has also worked for CBC radio, which is what she will be most likely listening to if you go to the shop at 10 for a coffee and something just out of the oven.  She has been known to indulge the whims of our regulars by making their favourite scone or muffin.

Melissa has just recently moved to Ottawa and is enjoying exploring this city’s food, culture and community.  She has a strong commitment and belief in the 100 mile diet and admires 42’s commitment to local farmers and organic products.  When not at “42″, Melissa is often taking long walks with her dog Isis.

Mike

Mike’s home city is Adelaide (South Australia).  He is a trained wildlife biologist, specializing in environmental monitoring and change of Australian mammals and wetlands. Before he will settle down, he is indulging a self-admitted “serious” case of wanderlust and is on an extended world tour that has taken him to New Zealand, Chile, Argentina, Urugauay, USA and now Canada.  Mike is adamant that he is an “explorer” or even a “traveler” but certainly not a tourist.  Mike also characterizes himself as a “surfer” and a “hiker”.  His favourite place in the world is Torres del Paine National Park in far South Chile but Ottawa has been Mike’s longest stop so far.  He is enjoying working at “42″ and experiencing his first winter ever.  A quick study, Mike has mastered the technique for creating the perfect bowl of “42″’s “Spicy, Smoky, Creamy Tomato soup” and has found it to be a reliable way to impress his friends.  Among the many firsts this winter has been a cross-country skiing expedition in Gatineau Park.  His review; “Scared the crap out of me!  Good fun!”.

The Extended Team

Summer

Summer is Susan’s daughter and has been a source for creativity and support from the first day. Together, they made preserves, created recipes and organised work space. She often stops by the shop, to tie on the apron and dig in.

Czop

Czop is a “small space” renovation wizard who is responsible for the transformation of “42″  into a well-functioning, organic and pleasing work space.

Adrian

Adrian makes time for a regular Thursday shift between his high-school classes and his fencing lesson.  Adrian also assisted with the creation of this site.

Sandra

Sandra designed our logo and does our print work (design by salandra).

* All photography by “jp”.