01 Culture
CaribFest
"Caribfest was inspired by two Orangeville natives, Phillip DeWar and Donald Hochoy. The two were driven to bring the diversity and culture of the Caribbean to Orangeville."
Door III - community and classes
Food as function.
Community partner. Educator. The other two lines on the card, and the reason the first one matters.
Why he does it
Breaking bread disarms a room.
“Phil's relationship with food has continued to evolve and expand to feature food as function: showcasing how eating together sets the table for necessary and even difficult conversations in important places. Breaking bread creates a commonality between individuals, naturally disarming defences and softening our brow to one another.” chefphildewar.ca
The record
Six things on the public record.
02 Food security
CLD Food Delivery Service
During COVID-19, through B Social Enterprises and under Phil's management, a bulk grocery program took weekly orders from 13 homes and the SIL program at Community Living Dufferin, so the people supported there never had to go out to shop.
03 Employment
B Social Dufferin
Championed by Phil together with Community Living Dufferin, Family Transition Place and Dufferin Child & Family Services "to provide job training to those looking to enter or re-enter the workforce in an environment suited to their needs."
04 Fundraising
Carib Christmas: Rhythms For Relief
December 2025, with Aardvark Music & Culture on Broadway: "A festive evening of live music, island flavours, and support for hurricane relief efforts in Jamaica."
05 Education
The classroom
In The Hills, 2016: "He speaks regularly to students on a variety of topics, he is a mentor for a small business entrepreneurs program, and he contributes to the local food bank, as well as to other fundraising efforts."
06 Mentorship
From co-op student to partner
Sebastien Ratz first met Phil as a high school co-op student. Niagara College followed, then a return to the Soulyve kitchen - a story Our Routes Magazine told as "the evolution of a culinary partnership."
Bring him to your room
Schools. Boards. Kitchens. Stages.
Tell the desk who is in the room and what you want them to leave with.
- School presentation
- Community event or workshop
- Interactive cooking class
- Speaking engagement
- Festival or fundraiser partnership
“There's this idea that young people need to go somewhere to find themselves. No. It's here and now. You have to discover the gift that's already within you.”
The desk
Got a room that needs feeding?
Classes, talks and partnerships start on the desk.