Culinary Services

Chef’s Table

Since opening in June of 2014, our intimate private dining room has offered a thoughtfully curated culinary experience for up to 20 guests. Each multi-course menu is carefully customized to accomodate allergy and dietary restrictions, and inspired by the seasonal abundance available from our farm alongside ingredients sourced from our trusted local producers.

Our commitment to quality and responsible sourcing extends to all proteins and sustainable seafood selections, with local procurement always at the forefront. Approximately one week prior to your reservation, guests receive their personalized menu along with wine pairing suggestions to enhance the afternoon or evening experience from your wine cellar or the many local wineries in the area.

Pricing is based per guest and reflects the number of courses selected. A minimum spend applies for private, tailored bookings to support our dedicated team, seasonal programming, and the continued growth of the farm. We invite you to contact us directly for detailed pricing and availability. We prefer a personal conversation to ensure every element of your experience is thoughtfully tailored and meets expectations.

Workshop

At the heart of great cooking is the sharing of knowledge and experience. Mentorship has long been a cornerstone of Chef Chris Van Hooydonk’s culinary journey, inspiring the development of Backyard Farm’s immersive cooking workshops. Each workshop is thoughtfully tailored in collaboration with the client and typically unfolds over approximately four hours. Designed for intimate groups of up to eight guests, the experience offers a relaxed and engaging cooking demonstration in a welcoming, professional kitchen environment.

Guests enjoy sampling the “fruits of their labour” throughout the evening and are encouraged to bring along their favourite wines to enjoy during their session. All recipes are developed, written, and tested in the Backyard Farm kitchen, ensuring success while inspiring. Explore the roots of food on your own terms learning, laughing, cooking, and dining in great company. Workshops are priced at $350 per person, plus tax and gratuity. For availability, please visit our Calendar page. For further details, please contact us directly at info@backyard-farm.ca

Private Chef Services & Catering

Our culinary offerings are creatively inspired by the dedication of the many exceptional local farmers and producers we are proud to work alongside. This commitment forms the foundation of healthy, sustainable cuisine and ultimately a truly distinctive Okanagan dining experience.

All private chef and catering inquiries are approached in a collaborative, highly personalized manner. Each event begins with a detailed consultation to understand your vision, after which menus and service style are thoughtfully tailored to your specific needs, preferences, and budget.

Chef Chris Van Hooydonk’s experience and flexibility allow for fully customized culinary programs, ensuring every gathering feels unique, seamless, and memorable.

Pricing considerations may include:

• Type of service (plated multicourse, wine-paired, buffet, family-style, etc.)

• Number of guests

• Location and available kitchen equipment

• Travel time

• Equipment, plate, and glassware rentals

• Special event licensing requirements

• Transportation and accommodation (if required)

• Seasonal timing (peak vs. shoulder season)

• Beverage service (coffee, tea, wine, bar service)

• Staffing requirements

• Gratuity (if applicable)

Because each event is unique, we encourage you to contact us directly to discuss your ideas and priorities. We offer substantial flexibility to accommodate a wide range of gatherings and functions.

Backyard Farm provides catering and private chef services throughout the Okanagan Valley and beyond — including Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, Toronto, and other destinations. Travelevents may involve additional costs such as accommodation, airfare, or vehicle rental.

Culinary & Hospitality Consulting Services

We are incredibly fortunate to be located in one of the world’s most celebrated destination tourism regions, surrounded by exceptional talent across the wine, culinary, and hospitality industries. We believe success is strongest when shared, creating truly distinctive regional experiences for our collective clients.

With more than 30 years in the culinary industry and deep roots in the community since 2006, Chef Chris Van Hooydonk brings practical insight into both the opportunities and operational challenges facing hospitality businesses today. Seasonality, staffing consistency, and fluctuating business volumes all require thoughtful strategy and experiencedguidance.

Our consulting approach is highly collaborative and tailored to each client’s specific goals. We work directly with ownership and management teams to deliver focused training, operational improvements, and sustainable systems that support long-term success.

Areas of consulting expertise include:

• Financial training, resources, and management, labour and food cost analysis, inventory control, purchasing systems, and spreadsheet development

• Leadership training and team development with a “Four Seasons”–inspired approach to human resources, FOH and BOH alignment, communication strategies, and positive workplace culture

• Menu development and implementation for seasonal menu design, recipe stan dardization, and staff training to optimize food costs while maintaining quality

• Kitchen design and operational efficiency, equipment planning, workflow improvements, and performance optimization

• Rational demonstrations and training- Backyard Farm is a Rational Demo facility, and Chef Chris is a Rational Certified Chef

• Service standards training for elevating hospitality delivery, building team confidence, and strengthening product knowledge

• Restaurant supply and producer connections for building strong local sourcing networks

• Food and wine pairing education that is practical and culinary-driven

We welcome the opportunity to discuss your operation and explore how tailored consulting can support your next phase of growth.