Whistler Cooks began 20 years ago when Grant and Hilarie Cousar (Cow-Zer) decided to build a catering company that harnessed their zest for life in the mountains and their love of Whistler’s character to become the spirit behind their delicious food. Once their decision was made, one of the first things they did was to approach Community Futures-Howe Sound for assistance to help make it all happen.
Over the years Whistler Cooks has added a management and consulting division, opened a popular 200-seat restaurant in Whistler village, initiated an apprentice program, become a minority partner in another highly successful Whistler-based hospitality venture, and they also found time to serve over 750,000 meals during the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Fast forward to today and Whistler Cooks now employs over 28 full time employees and seasonally reaches up to 49 employees as the preeminent catering business in the entire Sea to Sky region.
But growing their business to unknown heights isn’t even the best part of this story. Grant and his wife Hilarie have continued to give back to their community every step along the way. In fact, 8 years ago Grant came back to Community Futures to sit on the Board and in 2015 he was elected Chairperson for the organization marking the first time ever a Community Futures client had risen to become a Community Futures Chair. It is this kind of commitment to community that has made Whistler Cooks the gold standard for small business.