- Words by Toby Tannas Photography by Lia Crowe

ItB次元官网网址檚 a busy lunch hour at . Every table is alive with food and banter, including the one I sit at with executive chef April Roy. SheB次元官网网址檚 at home here, just as comfortable in a corner booth as in the kitchen.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e had many positions within Train StationB次元官网网址檚 four walls,B次元官网网址� explains April. B次元官网网址淚 started as kitchen manager and then rotated into the executive chef role. Now IB次元官网网址檓 operating partner, running the business on both sides: culinary, as well as front of house.B次元官网网址�

ItB次元官网网址檚 in the kitchen, though, where AprilB次元官网网址檚 passion for food is fuelled. SheB次元官网网址檚 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.

B次元官网网址淲ith my background at wineries and high-end hotels, I bring that type of vibe and put it on a pub plate. ItB次元官网网址檚 not about technique; itB次元官网网址檚 about flavour.B次元官网网址�

Trained at The Culinary Institute of Canada, April has worked in some of the OkanaganB次元官网网址檚 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.

B次元官网网址淚 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, B次元官网网址榦ne day, IB次元官网网址檓 going to work there.B次元官网网址� I kid you not; IB次元官网网址檝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!B次元官网网址�

(Fun fact: AprilB次元官网网址檚 brother, Nolan Yonkman, played with the Kelowna Rockets in the late B次元官网网址�90s.)

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

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e still producing hotel-grade, beautiful dishes here. ItB次元官网网址檚 elevated pub food, so it doesnB次元官网网址檛 always have to feel like a B次元官网网址榥ight out.B次元官网网址� ItB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址榟ang outB次元官网网址� food with that social aspect as well.B次元官网网址�

TSP definitely has that B次元官网网址渨here everybody knows your nameB次元官网网址� vibe. Burgers, as youB次元官网网址檇 expect, are at the core of the menu, but what April has chosen to call them is unexpected.

B次元官网网址淲e have the Bun-Jovi Burger and the Yellowstone. They are quirky names that are fun to come up with.B次元官网网址�

AprilB次元官网网址檚 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.

B次元官网网址淢y thought process comes from the place of B次元官网网址榳hat would I eat, what do I crave?B次元官网网址� Then I combine that with whatB次元官网网址檚 new and upcomingB次元官网网址攕ince there are definitely fads in food.B次元官网网址�

A current menu favourite is the Prawn Alfredo.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 beautiful prawns in an Alfredo sauce with fresh peas, saut茅ed ham, lots of garlic and lemon. ItB次元官网网址檚 really fresh for summer.B次元官网网址�

Another star entree thatB次元官网网址檚 nestled among the pub staples is the Blackened Salmon.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 rubbed with our house-made Cajun spice, grilled to order with fresh Mediterranean vegetables, marinated cucumber, fresh corn salsa and stone fruit chutney. ItB次元官网网址檚 a fusion of different countries. You get a full flavour profile with the comfort of sitting in a pub.B次元官网网址�

TSP is a hotspot these days with reservations recommended at peak times. AprilB次元官网网址檚 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 KelownaB次元官网网址檚 north end a foodie destination.

B次元官网网址淭hat has helped tremendously as far as people being aware of who we are now. Businesses help businesses, so weB次元官网网址檙e in that little community. If our neighbours are busy, they send people here and vice versa. We help each other out.B次元官网网址�

TSP has a sister restaurant across town in the Landmark District. Mid-Town Station is also under AprilB次元官网网址檚 charge. It has its own distinct vibe that requires a different approach to the menu.

B次元官网网址淲e have more of a business crowd in the Landmark District. TheyB次元官网网址檙e looking for that great, quick, healthy lunch. ItB次元官网网址檚 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.B次元官网网址�

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.

B次元官网网址淲e change the menu twice a year. IB次元官网网址檓 always thinking about flavours. If IB次元官网网址檓 relaxing, IB次元官网网址檒l often have an epiphany moment and IB次元官网网址檒l write it down. It just happens like that.B次元官网网址�

And just like that, my time with this bubbly chef is almost up. IB次元官网网址檝e saved my favourite question for last: B次元官网网址淲hatB次元官网网址檚 in your fridge at home?B次元官网网址�

April doesnB次元官网网址檛 hesitate.

B次元官网网址淚f you open my fridge, youB次元官网网址檒l find cheese. ThereB次元官网网址檚 some sort of cheese in there always, tons of hot sauces and mustard.B次元官网网址�

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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