Peter is the co-owner of Meuwly’s, an artisan food market focusing on charcuterie. After nearly 15 years working in fine dining restaurants in Edmonton and Vancouver, he has refocused his efforts to the intersection of food, community, and education. He serves on the boards of several food-focused organizations including the Canadian Culinary Fund, Edmonton Food Council, and Canadian Chef’s Association (Culinary Federation).
Peter is honoured to be a part of In The Weeds to contribute to a long-overdue shift in the way we think, talk, and act about mental health & wellness in the food industry. Peter has experienced the many challenges that can be part of the job, having witnessed many friends and colleagues struggle with addiction, stress, and mental health issues.
However, Peter is optimistic. He is here because he has also felt the incredible sense of support and community that can be achieved when we decide to work together and build a bigger table.

Caitlin Fulton is a founding partner in RGE RD and The Butchery by RGE RD. As the Director of Operations, she guides the front of house team and guest experience. RGE RD has been consistently recognized as one of the top restaurants in Edmonton by Edify Magazine, Where Magazine, CBC Radio and many other publications including achieving 4th place in Air Canada’s enRoute Magazine Best New Restaurants 2014 as well as mentions in Canada’s 100 Best. In 2020, Caitlin was recognized as one of Edmonton’s Top 40 under 40 by Edify Magazine. She was involved early on in the inception of RGE RD farm dinners and helped plant the first seeds of these long table events. The first dinner-from-scratch experience that RGE RD put on at Nature’s Green Acres was the start of an ongoing passion for connecting the dinner guest and dining experience to the stories of the farm and the source of our food. With a passion for storytelling and community engagement, Caitlin views the restaurant as another cultural gathering space where we can celebrate our sense of place.

In its best moments, a restaurant can provide a sense of belonging and purpose. Often all-consuming and always labour intensive, traditional restaurant working culture can also lead to burn out, stress and anxiety, workplace harassment, substance abuse and a myriad of other factors that contribute to the breakdown of mental wellness. The pressure to maintain a high level of public facing excellence and service needs a counterpoint - a network of support and strategies that responds to the unique challenges encountered by workers in our industry. Hospitality is defined by generosity and openness to visitors and guests, but must begin amongst teams in the restaurant kitchen. Caitlin is grateful and hopeful that In The Weeds can provide a safe space of open generosity while facilitating access to professional support when needed.

Celina Foster is a dynamic leader and advocate dedicated to creating positive change in her community. As the Vice President of Operations at Special Olympics Alberta, Celina brings over a decade of experience in the non-profit sector to her role. With a passion for empowering individuals with disabilities, she has worked tirelessly to promote inclusion and provide opportunities for athletes to thrive.
With twelve years of experience in the non-profit industry, Celina has honed her skills in leadership, advocacy, and community engagement. Her commitment to excellence and innovation has garnered recognition, being featured as one of Edify's Top 40 Under 40 in 2023.
Celina's journey in leadership began at an early age, as she rose to become a senior executive at just 25 years old. Facing the challenges of navigating the professional world as a young professional, she recognized the need for greater support and mentorship for emerging leaders. This experience fueled her passion for advocating for young professionals and fostering a supportive environment for their growth.
Beyond her professional achievements, Celina is a vocal advocate for mental health awareness and accessibility. She believes in breaking down barriers to mental health resources and promoting holistic well-being for all individuals. Through her advocacy efforts, she strives to create a more inclusive and supportive community where everyone can access the care and support they need.

Jay is an owner and co-founder of Edmonton’s Sea Change Brewing Co., Shiddy’s Distilling, and FlatBoy Burger. Sea Change is an award winning craft brewery and community builder since 2017. Previous to the inception of Sea Change, Jay was founder of Record Mob inc. – a diverse technology investment fund. Jay spent his formative years running kitchens, bars and restaurants around western Canada. Opening more than a dozen distinct businesses, Jay has seen failures and successes in the industry along with all the stresses and struggles that both pose. Jay is also an award winning singer-songwriter and music producer.

Jay has close family ties to addiction and mental health disorders and has worked alongside people facing these issues in both hospitality and music. With In The Weeds, he seeks to support those in the hospitality industry and find creative solutions for aid.

Jordan is the owner of Meez Accounting and Meez Hospitality Group, which specialize in all aspects of the hospitality industry. In an industry defined by tight margins, heavy workloads, and constant stress, Jordan recognizes the importance of working closely with owners and chefs to ensure information is accessible in a timely manner—making decision-making easier and more effective.

Believing that the hospitality industry is the heartbeat of every community, Jordan joined In The Weeds as a board member to help improve mental health accessibility for those who need it most.

Katy Ingraham is a mother, community organizer and educator. As a former restaurant owner she is passionate about restaurant worker rights. Advocating at the local and Federal level for supports to help restaurants and workers through the COVID-19 pandemic, she co-founded the Edmonton Independent Hospitality Community. Ensuring that small independent restaurants in Edmonton had a seat at the table to push for key supports. 

In her experience restaurant work collides at the intersection of many social determinants of poverty and heath. Addressing the root causes of systemic issues in hospitality leads to healthier more prosperous outcomes for the industry and society at large. Currently an instructor in Culinary Arts at NAIT, she's helping prepare the next generation of culinary leaders to face these challenges while also dedicating herself to community organizing around crucial issues like police accountability and harm reduction. Katy is also a board member for Each+Every, a coalition of businesses across Canada committed to supporting harm reduction and sensible drug policy in their communities. 

“I was drawn to In The Weeds because of their purpose to create a culture of care in hospitality. My family has directly felt the impacts of an industry that for too long did not talk about or address the conditions that lead to and proliferate substance use issues and mental health challenges. I’m honoured to do the work of moving the needle on these issues alongside so many talented and passionate advocates of hospitality, providing much needed care to those at the front lines of our culture and communities.”

Naomi is a communications professional and passionate advocate for community well-being. She currently serves as the Communications Coordinator at Special Olympics Alberta, where she leads inclusive storytelling, organizational promotion, and social media strategy. Combining her expertise in communications with a talent for modern media, Naomi works to raise awareness and promote inclusion for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

As an emerging professional, Naomi is eager to continue growing her career in the communications and media industry. Over the next decade, she aims to take on leadership roles that allow her to expand her expertise, champion meaningful causes, and make a lasting positive impact on the lives of others.

A strong advocate for mental health, Naomi is dedicated to speaking out about the importance of accessible support and prioritizing mental well-being. Believing in the power of communication to inspire social change, she is proud to contribute to In The Weeds YEG and its mission to support the mental health and well-being of those working in the culinary and hospitality industry.

Kim Silverthorn is a registered Master Practitioner of Clinical Counselling (M.P.C.C.) through the Canadian Professional Counsellors Association and a Clinical Therapist (C.T.) through the Association of Counselling Therapy in Alberta. Kim is the owner/therapist of Tacit Knowledge, a counselling practice based in Beaumont. She has been a therapist for more than 30 years, and often works with clients who have specialized needs (First Responders, teaching staff, high risk offenders, Children’s Services families, etc). Kim has been writing a regular mental health article (now called "Dear Tacit") for the past 7 years or so - this article is featured weekly in newspapers and online news sites all across Canada, and in some locations in the United States. Kim also offers a broad range of Professional Development Training opportunities (all approved for Continuing Education Credits) for businesses, groups, or agencies who want to strengthen their own skills in the mental health field, or who are interested in creating a healthier working environment within their own team.