Our People
"Hospitality is very complex. We bring our life experiences and passions, pour them into what we do, and find the result is ever changing and evolving. "
Sal Howell, Founder and Proprietor
Sal Howell is the proprietor and founder of River Café and Boxwood. Sal is a passionate advocate for cooking with and eating local, seasonal and sustainable ingredients and has fostered the culinary and hospitality philosophy at River Café since its inception.
Born in Wales, well traveled and educated on both sides of the Atlantic, Sal studied Fine Arts at Mount Allison University in New Brunswick and arrived in Calgary in 1989.
“I have many mentors within the food growing, food service and hospitality community. We all learn from our mentors, we become mentors. We learn from our peers, and then there is the never-ending flow of fresh young enthusiasm with new ideas and innovation. We invite our entire staff to share their ideas and their creativity, and to engage and contribute daily to the vision and philosophy.
Growing food and connecting with others who do, has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my journey at River Café and now also at our new restaurant Boxwood. Sharing these ingredients at the table, utilizing traditional procurement and culinary artistry is a truly wonderful experience and allows us time to enjoy life through the simple pleasures of the table.”
Andrew Winfield, Chef
Chef Andrew Winfield joined the culinary team at River Café in 2001 after completing the S.A.I.T. Culinary Program where he graduated at the top of his class. Andrew has held the position of Sous Chef at River Café for the past 8 years.
Working with former Chef Scott Pohorelic and proprietor Sal Howell, Andrew was encouraged to evolve his culinary skills and has developed a fresh style to cooking, deeply rooted in River Café's philosophy of food prepared with the best ingredients, indigenous to the prairies, pastured, grown, and foraged. During his tenure as Sous Chef, Andrew's passion led him on a culinary exploration to Spain, Italy, and France where he cultivated a love for the artisan European techniques of curing meats and making cheese.
An avid gardener, the simplicity of the connection of the garden to the plate is evident in the fresh approach to his recipes and preparations. Chef Andrew carries on the exceptional expression of regional and seasonal cooking that River Café has become known for.
Andrew brings together great skill and enthusiasm and takes genuine pleasure in the quality of each ingredient. He honours the hard work and dedication of every grower and farmer we source from. As a team we have long focused our efforts to bring to the table the best tasting food in the most responsible way. We are dedicated to sourcing naturally grown and raised ingredients from farms, ranches and growers, and wild seafood from sustainable fisheries.
Shelley Smith, General Manager
BC born and raised, Shelley moved to Alberta a decade ago, where she established herself as a well-loved maven of hospitality at several of Calgary's best restaurants. She joined River Cafe in the Spring of 2011, where she works her magic, together with the family of staff creating a unique, memorable dining experience and delighting guests. Inspired by the local ingredients and her love of creating a welcoming environment for staff and guests alike, Shelley has found her 'home sweet home'.
Bruce Soley, Sommelier and Cellar Manager
Bruce has been a familiar face for guests and a savvy guide to River Café's wine list since 1999. A graduate of The International Sommelier Guild, Bruce continues to expand his vast knowledge through regular tasting, reading and—lucky him—travel in wine country. Bruce enjoys maintaining the list's quality and diversity and believes that the most important part of his job is listening to guests to help them discover new favourites. Like any wine aficionado, his personal preferences change daily depending on mood, temperature, season, time of day and of course, what is on his plate.