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A Maple Ridge \u2013 Pitt Meadows School District teaching chef is being recognized as one of Canada\u2019s top educators for his work in the classroom and in the community.<\/p>\n
Trevor Randle, culinary arts instructor at Maple Ridge Secondary School (MRSS), has received the 2026 Prime Minister\u2019s Award for Teaching Excellence: Certificate of Achievement.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI am feeling incredibly honoured to receive such a prestigious award,\u201d Randle said. \u201cTo me, being the first teaching chef to receive this award cements the growing need and\u00a0importance of culinary arts and food security education.<\/p>\n \u201cThroughout BC, secondary school teaching kitchens offer so much more than just teaching kids to \u2018cook like a chef.\u2019 We provide a consistent space for every student to feel successful, safe and challenged.\u201d<\/p>\n The Prime Minister\u2019s Awards for Teaching Excellence honour elementary and secondary teachers for their outstanding leadership, achievements in education and their commitment to preparing students to succeed in Canada\u2019s innovation-based economy.<\/p>\n Randle has been teaching grade 10 to 12 students culinary arts at MRSS for more than 20 years.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is totally cliche, but it is true: When you love what you do, you never work a day in your life,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Randle was nominated for the award last year by his colleagues and students. He is one of 26 educators across the country to receive the Teaching Excellence award<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI love his class because he is easily one of my favourite teachers and always makes the class fun,\u201d said Grade 12 student Danika Wood. \u201cHe gives us lots of guidance while still allowing us freedom to learn and create on our own.\u201d<\/p>\n Wood has been taking Randle\u2019s class since Grade 10 and says the recognition is deserved.<\/p>\n \u201c(Chef Randle) is a phenomenal teacher who\u2019s great at his job and so kind to all the staff and students,\u201d she said. \u201cEven kids who haven\u2019t taken his class love him because he makes everyone feel welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n Randle describes his teaching style as immersive, student-centred, energetic, professional and inclusive.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery class, I want students to leave my doors feeling proud and accomplished,\u201d he said. \u201cI think this is what makes teaching kitchens, especially the ones in our district,\u00a0so special.\u201d<\/p>\n In his classroom, students learn real skills and serve their community while discovering their own confidence and potential.<\/p>\n Randle teaches students to think critically, work as a team, and solve problems in a fast-paced environment. His lessons blend hands-on cooking with digital tools, food security education, and real-world challenges that help students grow as leaders.<\/p>\n \u201cI try to make a difference every day by just showing up with the same energy and intentions,\u201d Randle explained. \u201cThe energy in this class is reciprocated by the students, and it creates such a positive space where we can dream big and make great things happen.\u201d<\/p>\n Chef Randle\u2019s class runs just like a real restaurant kitchen where students prepare up to 500 meals a day, rotating through stations such as hot foods, cold foods, bakery and sanitation.<\/p>\n The MRSS teaching kitchen\u2019s impact extends well beyond the classroom. Since 2012, Randle has led the school\u2019s weekly community dinner program, where culinary students prepare affordable, nutritious three-course meals for community members.<\/p>\n Randle has also played a key role in developing a large school and community garden that supports food security and hands-on learning.<\/p>\n His leadership has made an impact both locally and across the province.<\/p>\n \u201cThe greatest benefit in all of the outside adventures is that all of these projects ultimately all come back to support my culinary students in the form of resources and opportunities,\u201d Randle said.<\/p>\n Chef Randle is one of the founders of the Take a Bite of BC program<\/a>, which connects teaching kitchens across the province to free, fresh locally grown ingredients and digital learning resources.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/secondary.sd42.ca\/mrss\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/2026-10-CHEF-RANDLE-AWARD-21.jpg\")
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