About Us

The Island Restaurant Collective was born from friendship, respect, and a shared belief that Vancouver Island has something truly special to offer the world of food.

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What began as a late night conversation between chefs and restaurateurs over a nice bottle of tequila became an idea to connect, collaborate, and celebrate what makes this island’s culinary landscape unique.

 

We believe that hospitality thrives in community and that sharing ideas, ingredients, and inspiration makes us all stronger. Together, we can help shape the story of Vancouver Island cuisine, and tell one that honours the land, the people who farm and fish it, and the creativity that turns those ingredients into unforgettable experiences.

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The Island Restaurant Collective exists to:

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• Build community. Running a restaurant on the Island can be isolating. Many of the collective restaurants are tucked away between the forest and the ocean, with great distances between each other. We’re creating a supportive network of peers to share resources, celebrate wins, and weather challenges together.

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• Define and promote our regional cuisine. From ocean to orchard, forest to field, we’re working to highlight the flavours, techniques, and stories that make Vancouver Island’s culinary identity distinct.

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• Collaborate in storytelling and marketing. By joining forces, we create shared opportunities, from guest experiences and media collaborations to destination dining routes that encourage guests to explore the Island through food.

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The restaurants in the collective are all very different, but share these same values. Whilst the collective as a whole is still young, the members bring lifetimes of dedication to hospitality and ingredient led cuisine. Each has achieved so much individually, and we can't wait to see what we can achieve together!