Admin & Kitchen Team

Meet our Admin & Kitchen Team, the backbone of Pear Tree School’s daily operations. From ensuring smooth administrative workflows to crafting nutritious meals that energize our students and staff, this dedicated team works behind the scenes to support our educational mission. Discover the faces that make our school feel like home.

Matheus Dos Santos
Executive Administrative Assistant
LL.B. (Brazil)

Matheus supports Pear Tree’s founders and leadership with nearly a decade of executive-level administration in high-responsibility environments. He brings deep experience in complex calendar and inbox management, confidential communications, meeting and travel coordination, document control, and board-ready materials. Previously an Administrative Manager at SLR Logística (São Paulo), he built centralized document systems, streamlined payroll and vendor-invoice workflows, and introduced light automation to reduce delays and errors. In B.C., he has coordinated operations in fast-paced hospitality settings, blending people, processes, and technology to keep teams aligned and on schedule.

A power user of Google Workspace and Microsoft Office, Matheus also leverages Salesforce and AI tools (ChatGPT, Notion AI) to create efficient SOPs, checklists, and automated reminders. He is bilingual (English/Portuguese) with strong client-service instincts and discretion—keeping information organized, deadlines visible, and leaders focused on high-impact work. His steady, systems-first approach fits Pear Tree’s culture of clarity, reliability, and continuous improvement.

Borja Serrano
School Chef (Kitsilano Campus)
PC3 (Red Seal), Culinary Mgmt Dip, B.B.A.

Since joining Pear Tree in 2018, Borja has led our kitchen with a simple idea: children eat well when food is fresh, balanced, and a little adventurous. Originally from San Sebastian, Spain, he retrained in Canada to follow his passion for cooking, completing the two-year Culinary Management Diploma at Vancouver Island University and progressing to Professional Cook Level 3 (Red Seal). His menus spotlight from-scratch cooking, whole foods, and global flavours—introducing new tastes while meeting the needs of growing learners.

Before culinary school, Borja spent seven years in investment banking in Madrid and holds a five-year Business Administration degree. That background shows up in the kitchen: disciplined cost control, smart sourcing, clear systems, and safe, efficient service. He partners closely with school leadership on nutrition standards, allergy and dietary accommodations, and food education, helping students connect what’s on the plate with healthy habits for life.

Patrick Hutton
School Chef (Yaletown Campus)
Level 3 in Food and Hygiene

Patrick brings over a decade of culinary experience to his role as School Chef at Pear Tree’s Yaletown campus. With a background in kitchen operations, menu development, and team leadership, he has honed his craft across dynamic settings—from high-volume restaurants to boutique cafés—always prioritizing fresh, from-scratch cooking and balanced nutrition for children.

Before joining Pear Tree, Patrick served as Head Chef at Turf in Kitsilano, where he led the kitchen team, created innovative menus, and managed daily food service and catering. His earlier roles in Australia and the UK strengthened his expertise in dietary accommodations and rigorous food-safety standards. Patrick is passionate about food education and creating nutritious meals that inspire the next generation.

Our head chef is Red Seal Level 3 (Professional Cook Level 3) certified.