About Us

Born in Toronto, Mel fell in love with the restaurant business  working as a part-time busboy while attending Georgian College in Barrie in the late '70's. This experience eventually led to his purchase of  "Michael & Marion's Restaurant" on Bayfield Street in Barrie, which he ran successfully for 3 years.

After selling that business to his Chef in 1990, he moved back to Toronto to manage a restaurant two of his buddies had recently opened called "Mad Apples" in Bloor West Village. "Mad Apples" was a roaring success, including a prestigious award for Mel from the California Wine Society honouring his wine lists. In late '96 Mel left "Mad Apples" for a 6 month sojourn to the Turks & Caicos Islands where he basically goofed off after briefly serving as Food & Beverage Manager at the exclusive Meridian Club on Pine Key.

Returning to the big city in 1997, Mel ended up at Bistro Tournesol, working closely with the restaurant's owners Yves Robert and Martha VanReet. Six years later, the opportunity to buy the business presented itself, so Mel asked his pals and co-workers Philip Lewicki  and Craig Lockhart if they were interested in a partnership. The answer was a resounding "YES" and the result is the new "Bistro Tournesol".

Philip originally hails from London, Ontario but has been a Torontonian for many years. His extensive and varied experience in all facets of the restaurant business ranges from busboy to waiter to bartender to manager to short-order cook to......well, you get the idea!

Philip has managed a little bistro in Forest Hill and a downtown pub, as well as working at "Spinnakers" at Harbourfront, the renowned "Centro" during it's heyday, and a brief stint at Tony Nuth's "Herbs" in Lawrence Park.

Philip joined the team at Tournesol in late 2001, and like Victor Kiam of Remington once said, ..."he liked the place so much he bought it!"

 

Craig was born and raised in Clinton, Ontario (population: 3200). From an early age he had watched his Mom and Grandma cooking with the lovely fresh vegetables that were grown in the family garden. As a teenager, he started working at a local 'Pub and Eatery'. On the advice of the Kitchen Manager, he applied and was accepted to the Culinary Management Program at George Brown College.

During his summer break he went to work in Bayfield, Ontario (population: 700) at 'The Red Pump Restaurant'. Returning to school in the fall with some fine dining experience he began working part-time for the upscale catering company 'Babette's Feast'. Later that year he took part in the 'Taste of Canada' student competition, winning a bronze in the 'Individual Hors D'Oeuvres' category and a silver as a member of the student team 'Black Box' competition.

After graduating he worked briefly at 'Windows In The Skydome' during the Toronto Blue Jays World Championship season. From there he moved down the street to become a Saucier at 'Fred's Not Here' on King Street West. Several months later he was recruited by the Sous Chef of 'Cities Bistro' on Queen Street West. He began in the garde manger learning pastry and more French-style cuisine. A few years later he was promoted to the position of Chef at 'Cities'. After eight years it was time to move on and luck would have it that Martha and Yves would lure him away to take charge of the bustling kitchen at Bistro Tournesol!

Craig is now thrilled to be a partner at Tournesol along with Mel and Philip.