Chef Jonathan Frazier
Jonathan Frazier grew up in the Comox Valley in Royston. While drawing upon what the local food community has to offer, he enjoys exploring new flavours to present in unique and exquisite ways. After obtaining his red seal at the Kingfisher Oceanside Inn, he followed his dream of cooking first to Europe and then to Victoria where he worked at Chateau Victoria, ran a catering company, and was chef aboard a tall ship that offered marine wildlife excursions along the Pacific NorthWest.
Inspired by the community of people in the Comox Valley who are passionate about good food, he returned to take the position of Head Chef at the Atlas Café in 2005. While there he was awarded the Chamber of Commerce Top 40 under Forty (2012). From there he launched The Edible Valley Podcast; a podcast that Frazier continues to host devoted to exploring the food culture of the Comox Valley and Vancouver Island via interviews with local chefs, farmers, and producers. More recently he opened up a local artisan shop called Blue Spruce Ice Cream where he was selling his own traditionally handcrafted ice cream that also won the Best New Business Award (2019), and worked with North Island College to create a pop up dinner with tourism and hospitality students.
During the COVID 19 pandemic, Frazier, who was also teaching the young cooks program as well as covering food security with LUSH Valley, has switched gears within the organization to establish an emergency hot meal kitchen where he creates up to 1000 meals a week to those in need. He has been a proud member of the North Vancouver Island Chef’s Association since 2007 and is currently the Vice President, where he has been actively involved in such local events as the BC Shellfish Festival, Flavour, and the Island Inspiration Cookbook.
Chef Jonathan Frazier brings sensitivity and an inquisitive nature into the kitchen, where he builds flavours in a colourful palette that are influenced by his creative passion in the kitchen, knowledge of global cuisine, and the pleasures of local products. In June 2020 Jonathan stepped in as Brigade Chef at Locals Restaurant where he has been able to team up with owners again with Chef Ronald and Trish St. Pierre continues creating inspiring dishes that showcase the best of what the Comox Valley has to offer.
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Jonathan now feels honored to be able to take over ownership of Locals in 2023 with his new partners and looks forward to continuing to promote the heart of Vancouver Island, where Ronald and Trish have left off. He is excited to continue to showcase the food as well as to promote the individuals that make these amazing treasures and to help train and promote the future chef and farmers of our community.