Bios

Travis Hackl - Executive Chef

Travis Hackl began his restaurant career as a dishwasher in Ontario in 1986. In 1991 he moved to Edmonton where he began spending time at various restaurants, including three years in the dining room at the Westin Hotel.

In 1996, Travis moved to the Okanagan Valley where his passion for food gave him the desire to pursue a culinary career. He began working at the Hotel Eldorado and enrolled in the chef certification program at Okanagan University College, which he completed in 1999.

No stranger to Okanagan kitchens, Travis has worked at various restaurants including The Grand Okanagan banquet kitchen, The White Crystal at Big White, DeMontreuil’s and the Teahouse at KLO. He was part of the opening team for the Eagle Eye Dining Room at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in Golden BC, and also moved back to Edmonton for a short time to work with Clayton Faulker, pastry chef at the Shaw Conference Centre.

His love of the Okanagan brought him back to Kelowna permanently in 2001 when he became sous chef at the The Harvest Golf Club.

While working at the Hotel Eldorado, Travis met his current business partner, Ryan Smid. The two became instant friends and for the next five years discussed the prospect of opening a business together. In 2002, they began Okanagan’s Finest Foods and launched a line of quality natural vinaigrettes. Their Ginger Ginger Soy Vinaigrette, Garlic Herb Vinaigrette and Dill Mustard Dressing are now available throughout the Okanagan as well as in Vancouver.

Okanagan’s Finest also offer full catering services for clients, and their innovation and energy ensured that they were chosen to provide a 850-person fully-plated four course dinner for the Memoral Cup Opening at Prospera Place on May 14, 2004.

Richard Bullock – General Manager