- Words by Toby Tannas Photography by Lia Crowe

It香蕉视频直播檚 a busy lunch hour at . Every table is alive with food and banter, including the one I sit at with executive chef April Roy. She香蕉视频直播檚 at home here, just as comfortable in a corner booth as in the kitchen.

香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檝e had many positions within Train Station香蕉视频直播檚 four walls,香蕉视频直播� explains April. 香蕉视频直播淚 started as kitchen manager and then rotated into the executive chef role. Now I香蕉视频直播檓 operating partner, running the business on both sides: culinary, as well as front of house.香蕉视频直播�

It香蕉视频直播檚 in the kitchen, though, where April香蕉视频直播檚 passion for food is fuelled. She香蕉视频直播檚 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.

香蕉视频直播淲ith my background at wineries and high-end hotels, I bring that type of vibe and put it on a pub plate. It香蕉视频直播檚 not about technique; it香蕉视频直播檚 about flavour.香蕉视频直播�

Trained at The Culinary Institute of Canada, April has worked in some of the Okanagan香蕉视频直播檚 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.

香蕉视频直播淚 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, 香蕉视频直播榦ne day, I香蕉视频直播檓 going to work there.香蕉视频直播� I kid you not; I香蕉视频直播檝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!香蕉视频直播�

(Fun fact: April香蕉视频直播檚 brother, Nolan Yonkman, played with the Kelowna Rockets in the late 香蕉视频直播�90s.)

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

香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e still producing hotel-grade, beautiful dishes here. It香蕉视频直播檚 elevated pub food, so it doesn香蕉视频直播檛 always have to feel like a 香蕉视频直播榥ight out.香蕉视频直播� It香蕉视频直播檚 香蕉视频直播榟ang out香蕉视频直播� food with that social aspect as well.香蕉视频直播�

TSP definitely has that 香蕉视频直播渨here everybody knows your name香蕉视频直播� vibe. Burgers, as you香蕉视频直播檇 expect, are at the core of the menu, but what April has chosen to call them is unexpected.

香蕉视频直播淲e have the Bun-Jovi Burger and the Yellowstone. They are quirky names that are fun to come up with.香蕉视频直播�

April香蕉视频直播檚 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.

香蕉视频直播淢y thought process comes from the place of 香蕉视频直播榳hat would I eat, what do I crave?香蕉视频直播� Then I combine that with what香蕉视频直播檚 new and upcoming香蕉视频直播攕ince there are definitely fads in food.香蕉视频直播�

A current menu favourite is the Prawn Alfredo.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 beautiful prawns in an Alfredo sauce with fresh peas, saut茅ed ham, lots of garlic and lemon. It香蕉视频直播檚 really fresh for summer.香蕉视频直播�

Another star entree that香蕉视频直播檚 nestled among the pub staples is the Blackened Salmon.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 rubbed with our house-made Cajun spice, grilled to order with fresh Mediterranean vegetables, marinated cucumber, fresh corn salsa and stone fruit chutney. It香蕉视频直播檚 a fusion of different countries. You get a full flavour profile with the comfort of sitting in a pub.香蕉视频直播�

TSP is a hotspot these days with reservations recommended at peak times. April香蕉视频直播檚 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 Kelowna香蕉视频直播檚 north end a foodie destination.

香蕉视频直播淭hat has helped tremendously as far as people being aware of who we are now. Businesses help businesses, so we香蕉视频直播檙e in that little community. If our neighbours are busy, they send people here and vice versa. We help each other out.香蕉视频直播�

TSP has a sister restaurant across town in the Landmark District. Mid-Town Station is also under April香蕉视频直播檚 charge. It has its own distinct vibe that requires a different approach to the menu.

香蕉视频直播淲e have more of a business crowd in the Landmark District. They香蕉视频直播檙e looking for that great, quick, healthy lunch. It香蕉视频直播檚 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.香蕉视频直播�

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.

香蕉视频直播淲e change the menu twice a year. I香蕉视频直播檓 always thinking about flavours. If I香蕉视频直播檓 relaxing, I香蕉视频直播檒l often have an epiphany moment and I香蕉视频直播檒l write it down. It just happens like that.香蕉视频直播�

And just like that, my time with this bubbly chef is almost up. I香蕉视频直播檝e saved my favourite question for last: 香蕉视频直播淲hat香蕉视频直播檚 in your fridge at home?香蕉视频直播�

April doesn香蕉视频直播檛 hesitate.

香蕉视频直播淚f you open my fridge, you香蕉视频直播檒l find cheese. There香蕉视频直播檚 some sort of cheese in there always, tons of hot sauces and mustard.香蕉视频直播�

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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