- Story by Darcy Nybo Photography by Don Denton

Red Seal Chef, Todd Rozell, has always loved to cook.

B次元官网网址淚 was raised by a single mom,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淪he taught my brother and I to make Shake B次元官网网址橬 Bake. I liked helping out in the evening because that meant we had more time to spend together.B次元官网网址�

When Chef Todd graduated high school, he took a job as a dishwasher to earn some money until he knew what he wanted to be.

B次元官网网址淎fter being in the restaurant environment I realized I wanted to become a Chef. I washed dishes for a year and IB次元官网网址檝e now been cooking for 27 years,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淢y first job, at Il Terrazzo, where I washed dishes, is also where I got my start in culinary and learned the basics. From there I worked with Troy Ashdown at the My Chosen Caf茅. ItB次元官网网址檚 one of the busiest kitchens IB次元官网网址檝e ever been a part of. It was amazing watching him float through the busyness with ease. Nothing could shake him.B次元官网网址�

Chef Todd has worked in various establishments throughout his career including: Laurel Point Inn, Parrot House, CecconiB次元官网网址檚, Fifth Street, and Lakeside Resort. B次元官网网址淚 feel my work experience has given me a well-rounded look at food; what works, and what doesnB次元官网网址檛.B次元官网网址�

Looking back, he appreciates what he learned from his instructors. B次元官网网址淐hef Gilbert Noussitou at Camosun had a very direct and honest approach to cooking and learning. At Okanagan College, Chef Kathryn Nielsen made learning fun. She also challenged us by asking us to set a goal the first day. I set mine and qualified for the Provincial Cook off that year.B次元官网网址�

Chef Todd, and his wife, Melissa, a fitness trainer, started Balanced Meal Prep, in 2016. As a nutritionist and a chef, he creates balanced, nutritious meals that are nut and gluten free and without added sodium. B次元官网网址淎ll our products are fresh, not frozen,B次元官网网址� Chef said. B次元官网网址淲e even have plant based protein options.B次元官网网址�

Balanced Meal PrepB次元官网网址檚 menu varies from week to week so customers get the variety the need. B次元官网网址淲e want to help busy families eat healthy,B次元官网网址� Chef said. B次元官网网址淲e also want to show people what a properly portioned meals look like and help them eat better. Our meals give them the fuel they (and we) need to chase after kids and still be healthy. We also wanted to deal with the amount of food waste people deal with on a monthly and weekly basis.B次元官网网址�

Being a chef and creating meals for other families is something Todd looks forward to every day. B次元官网网址淚 get to create new dishes each day,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淎n added bonus is that we get to work around our kidsB次元官网网址� schedule.B次元官网网址�

One of the ironies of cooking for a living, is that he rarely gets a chance to cook at home. B次元官网网址淲e are so busy,B次元官网网址� Chef said. B次元官网网址淲hen I do have the time, I love to make Potato Crusted Salmon. It was the first meal I cooked for my wife.B次元官网网址�

As for his clientele, they love the lettuce wraps, banana protein muffins and healthy cookies. To see some of their delicious premade meals and to find out more about Balanced Meal Prep visit their website at .

Story from West Shore Life + Style magazine