“It was an honor and an amazing learning experience.” My kitchen staff at the Holiday Inn were extremely hard workers dedicated to their profession. The guests were interested and very appreciative of my creations. It was a once in a lifetime!”

“There is so much about our Region that enhances what I do. It is an amazing diverse place to live and work! You can feel the excitement about Niagara everywhere you go. As the region continues to grow, I look forward to being an active partner in its evolution.”

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Erik Peacock

Chef Erik Peacock grew up around the food business. An early exposure, to the food business paired with the beautiful bounty of the Niagara food and wine region, shaped Erik’s future as a chef. After spending a year in Australia Erik returned to Ontario where he attended George Brown College in Toronto for Culinary Arts. Eventually Erik returned to Niagara.

“When I took over the kitchen at the restaurant, Niagara and the wine industry were really emerging, coming alive. The opportunities were plentiful.”

This opportunity delighted Erik. He formed relationships with winemakers and winery owners as well as local food producers. They inspired Erik to create a menu focused on local ingredients infused with international flavours. Before long, Wellington Court Restaurant was one of the region's fine dining hot spots. 

Erik is often featured at the LCBO (Liquor License Board of Ontario), Niagara cooking schools and Niagara College, sharing his excitement for food and new ways to prepare and present it. This year Erik is the Profiled Chef for the LCBO. Along with cooking classes at the LCBO in St. Catharines Erik will travel throughout Southern Ontario to be the feature chef at a number of LCBO cooking events.

Erik holds a volunteer position on the Board of Directors for Niagara Grape and Wine Festival. Their mission is “To realize the tourism potential of the Festival and position it as an important component of the tourism product. To promote the grape and wine industries and their products along with the host City of St. Catharines and the Region of Niagara. To provide a community event and celebration that will contribute to the quality of life and civic pride within the community.”

In November of 2005 Erik was pleased to participate in the “Spirit of Canadian Cuisine” Celebrity Chefs Dinner at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. The event benefited the Spirit of Hospitality Award Scholarship, which provides financial assistance and mentoring to hospitality students.

A highlight in 2006 saw Erik and his catering team show off what they do best on National TV when they took part in The Food Network’s I Do... Let’s Eat! A documentary series showcasing weddings and banquets of diverse cultures.

In December 2006 Erik was asked to travel to Hong Kong to take part in ‘A Canadian Christmas’. Sponsored by the Canadian Consulate and the Holiday Inn Golden Mile. Erik designed and implemented a menu that ran in the hotel’s fine dining restaurant for 4 weeks over Christmas.