TOFINO’S FOODIE CULTURE AND NATURAL BEAUTY

For such a small community (the population is around 2,000), Tofino, on Brtish Columbia’s Vancouver Island, is something of a culinary mecca, with many chefs living here to take advantage of the lower-key lifestyle. During our extended weekend visit, we are treated to Redcan Gourmet, a professional open-concept kitchen featuring take-out menus, headed up by chef Tim May (services include in-suite meal delivery to Pacific Sands Beach Resort – more on that, below), dine at the Spotted Bear Bistro, where chef Vincent Fraissange is known for using local quality products to craft his upscale comfort food; enjoy organic cuisine prepared by Top Chef Canada contender Joel Aubie at Shelter Restaurant; and are spoiled with a barbecued spotted prawn and salmon feast by Wildside Grill, run by commercial fisherman Jeff Mikus and professional chef Jesse Blake.

The area boasts incredible seafood, and Tim May starts our post-surf meal in the villa at Pacific Sands with a local seafood platter of Dungeness Crab, smoked salmon, spot prawns, mussels and clams. It seems a fitting repast for a day spent enjoying the ocean.