Kaeli Robinsong

At the age of 5, Kaeli Robinsong began helping out in the kitchen at Hollyhock Farm, a retreat centre on Cortes Island co-founded by her parents. By 10 she was earning wages as a dishwasher, and from 12 she spent her summers working full time, learning prep, third and second cook positions. By 18 she was a 1st cook, leading a team, planning and executing multi-course vegetarian buffet-style meals, for up to 120 guests.

She spent the summers of her early 20's cooking for tree planters in the wilds of northern BC and Alberta, and winter evenings and weekends on film catering trucks in Vancouver (where she attended Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design).

In 2009 at the age of 26, with the confidence and experience she'd gained from these formative culinary endeavors, she moved to Tofino and started Tacofino in a bright orange food truck in the back of a parking lot with a couple of friends.

15 years, a few new business partners, a blended family, and 11 brick-and-mortar locations later, Kaeli's passion for feeding people and building community continues. Her love language is food, and her kitchen table is a hub for nourishment, connection, and good conversation.