Ceilidh Sutherland | The Coast Halifax

Ceilidh Sutherland

The recipe for Field Guide’s success is its strong team, and you’re looking at the captain.

Ceilidh Sutherland
Meghan Tansey Whitton

Owner and manager Field Guide, 2076 Gottingen Street


One of the best things about Field Guide is talking to Ceilidh Sutherland about the menu. She's friendly, informed, honest and a true joy to chat with. "My passion is people," she says. "Learning to talk to people, learning what people want." Strong entrepreneurial spirits led she and her husband, chef Dan Vorstermans, to open the north end hangout just last year, and for Sutherland, stepping into a leadership role just made sense. "There's such satisfaction in finding an amazing team of people to work together," says Sutherland, who credits Field Guide's success to its staff. "I always want to hire people that are compassionate, because you can teach someone any skill about working in a restaurant—carrying a tray or pouring water—but you cannot teach someone how to be compassionate."