cory pelan

Cory Pelan is the chef/owner of Ristorante La Piola in Victora.  Prior to La Piola he was on the opening team of the Brentwood Bay Lodge and Spa and the Executive Chef at the Arbutus Ridge Golf and Country Club.  He received his chef training at Vancouver Community College over fifteen years ago.

Corey is passionate about, and dedicated to, the cause for local, sustainable food production on Vancouver Island.  He has been an active member of the Island Chef’s Collaborative for five years and served in the past as it’s President and Treasurer.

Cory is also dedicated to teaching and mentoring young cooks.  He is on the advisory council for both of the Island’s culinary colleges and is currently serving as chair for the Camosun College culinary arts program.

Despite his dedicated volunteerism, Cory can be found cooking at La Piola most days and nights.  The restaurant has thrived since he took the helm in 2008.  It is here that he puts his experience and passion together to create honest Italian food from locally sourced products.  Much of what he serves comes from his own urban garden.  The rest he gathers while personally visiting farms to gather produce for that evening’s service.