- Words by Toby Tannas Photography by Lia Crowe

It91裸聊视频檚 a busy lunch hour at . Every table is alive with food and banter, including the one I sit at with executive chef April Roy. She91裸聊视频檚 at home here, just as comfortable in a corner booth as in the kitchen.

91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檝e had many positions within Train Station91裸聊视频檚 four walls,91裸聊视频� explains April. 91裸聊视频淚 started as kitchen manager and then rotated into the executive chef role. Now I91裸聊视频檓 operating partner, running the business on both sides: culinary, as well as front of house.91裸聊视频�

It91裸聊视频檚 in the kitchen, though, where April91裸聊视频檚 passion for food is fuelled. She91裸聊视频檚 developed the Train Station Pub (TSP) menu beyond what you would expect from a neighbourhood pub. Her secret sauce is an approachable relationship with flavour, seasoned by years of intense culinary training.

91裸聊视频淲ith my background at wineries and high-end hotels, I bring that type of vibe and put it on a pub plate. It91裸聊视频檚 not about technique; it91裸聊视频檚 about flavour.91裸聊视频�

Trained at The Culinary Institute of Canada, April has worked in some of the Okanagan91裸聊视频檚 most revered kitchens, including Manteo, The Eldorado and the famous Terrafina at Hester Creek. Her career train jumped track nine years ago when it pulled into TSP. April says it was destiny.

91裸聊视频淚 used to spend a lot of time in Kelowna. I loved the look of the Train Station before it was a pub. I actually said, 91裸聊视频榦ne day, I91裸聊视频檓 going to work there.91裸聊视频� I kid you not; I91裸聊视频檝e said that since day one. We would drive past this building on the way to Prospera to watch my brother play hockey 20 years ago!91裸聊视频�

(Fun fact: April91裸聊视频檚 brother, Nolan Yonkman, played with the Kelowna Rockets in the late 91裸聊视频�90s.)

Like the chef herself, TSP is friendly and comfortable and the food is full of substance.

91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e still producing hotel-grade, beautiful dishes here. It91裸聊视频檚 elevated pub food, so it doesn91裸聊视频檛 always have to feel like a 91裸聊视频榥ight out.91裸聊视频� It91裸聊视频檚 91裸聊视频榟ang out91裸聊视频� food with that social aspect as well.91裸聊视频�

TSP definitely has that 91裸聊视频渨here everybody knows your name91裸聊视频� vibe. Burgers, as you91裸聊视频檇 expect, are at the core of the menu, but what April has chosen to call them is unexpected.

91裸聊视频淲e have the Bun-Jovi Burger and the Yellowstone. They are quirky names that are fun to come up with.91裸聊视频�

April91裸聊视频檚 Dr. Seuss-ical approach to writing the menu is another creative outlet designed to amuse her and give diners a chuckle. Strip it down, though, and success is ultimately determined by what the food tastes like. From the All Aboard Shareables to First Class Bowls and Plates to End of the Line Desserts, April has carefully crafted each dish to reflect her love of flavour with a nod to her gourmet roots.

91裸聊视频淢y thought process comes from the place of 91裸聊视频榳hat would I eat, what do I crave?91裸聊视频� Then I combine that with what91裸聊视频檚 new and upcoming91裸聊视频攕ince there are definitely fads in food.91裸聊视频�

A current menu favourite is the Prawn Alfredo.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 beautiful prawns in an Alfredo sauce with fresh peas, saut茅ed ham, lots of garlic and lemon. It91裸聊视频檚 really fresh for summer.91裸聊视频�

Another star entree that91裸聊视频檚 nestled among the pub staples is the Blackened Salmon.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 rubbed with our house-made Cajun spice, grilled to order with fresh Mediterranean vegetables, marinated cucumber, fresh corn salsa and stone fruit chutney. It91裸聊视频檚 a fusion of different countries. You get a full flavour profile with the comfort of sitting in a pub.91裸聊视频�

TSP is a hotspot these days with reservations recommended at peak times. April91裸聊视频檚 menu has no doubt upped the popularity of the eatery, but the neighbourhood has also grown up around TSP. A new crop of breweries and pubs have made Kelowna91裸聊视频檚 north end a foodie destination.

91裸聊视频淭hat has helped tremendously as far as people being aware of who we are now. Businesses help businesses, so we91裸聊视频檙e in that little community. If our neighbours are busy, they send people here and vice versa. We help each other out.91裸聊视频�

TSP has a sister restaurant across town in the Landmark District. Mid-Town Station is also under April91裸聊视频檚 charge. It has its own distinct vibe that requires a different approach to the menu.

91裸聊视频淲e have more of a business crowd in the Landmark District. They91裸聊视频檙e looking for that great, quick, healthy lunch. It91裸聊视频檚 more farm-to-fork at Mid-Town. We have so many amazing local farmers and producers. I always work to incorporate fresh, seasonal flavours at both restaurants.91裸聊视频�

Managing two kitchens keeps April on her toes, but with a strong core staff she is able to spend most of her time exploring her culinary creativity.

91裸聊视频淲e change the menu twice a year. I91裸聊视频檓 always thinking about flavours. If I91裸聊视频檓 relaxing, I91裸聊视频檒l often have an epiphany moment and I91裸聊视频檒l write it down. It just happens like that.91裸聊视频�

And just like that, my time with this bubbly chef is almost up. I91裸聊视频檝e saved my favourite question for last: 91裸聊视频淲hat91裸聊视频檚 in your fridge at home?91裸聊视频�

April doesn91裸聊视频檛 hesitate.

91裸聊视频淚f you open my fridge, you91裸聊视频檒l find cheese. There91裸聊视频檚 some sort of cheese in there always, tons of hot sauces and mustard.91裸聊视频�

Cheese and condiments! Sounds like the beginning of the next great April Roy culinary creation.

Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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