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In Focus | Hayley Gustavson of Port Victoria Catering

In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses and organizations that help make our city great. The team at KelownaNow.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do.

What is your name?
Hayley Gustavson

What do you always find yourself saying?
What’s everyone doing tonight? I love to entertain.

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select and why?
My husband, he is truly my favourite person to hangout with. However, if it was about gaining some more culinary knowledge I would have to say my Grandma, Mom and Aunties hands down, they taught me everything I know about cooking.

If you were to receive any existing public award, what award would you like to win?
I would have to say right now, the Rising Star Business of the Year award or Young Entrepreneur of the year award. It would be wonderful to be recognized within the community I love so much.

Who inspires you?
My family and my friends, who are essentially family to me. Nothing gets put on my menu without their stamp of approval!

What are three things on your bucket list?
Growing and expanding my company, I would like the Port Victoria Catering brand to be more than just the traditional definition of catering, and I feel we are already doing so in small ways with our signature “boutique” catering style. The last two are just for me, I want to travel the world and experience everything it has to offer while simultaneously creating a beautiful life at home full of love, family and stability! (Wish me luck!)

If you had an enormous yacht, what would you name it?
“The Old Man’…we have a modest, if not elderly looking boat and that's what everyone calls it. I have a feeling the name wouldn't change even if it was a yacht.

If you could foresee a single day of your future in its entirety, what date would you select?
I don't know if I would want to see a day in the future, I love the little and big surprises in life and being present in the moment is something I think is incredibly important for providing focus in my personal life and career.

What are you passionate about?
I’m passionate about food, fresh ingredients, local suppliers, the whole nine yards of what it means to be a chef in the Okanagan. I think food is one of the most valuable tools we have to bring people together, to live a healthy and fulfilled life and most importantly something we can learn from. In my house, food is why we entertain, also a passion of mine!

What has been your favourite day of your life, up to this point?
Without a doubt the day I married my best friend.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
This new business venture that is Port Victoria Catering, if it wasn't for the unwavering support of all my friends and family I would never have believed I could do it. It has turned into such a fulfilling career, one that quite literally is my dream profession. I feel very lucky that I am able to make my career something I love so much.

Where is your favourite place to dine in Kelowna? What do you like about it?
Gosh, I have watched Kelowna grow into a city full of amazing culinary minds. My husband and I love to eat out and enjoy all the restaurants Kelowna has to offer but nothing beats happy hour at The Salted Brick, we always start with two Amber Ales and a couple blue cheese stuffed dates to get our taste buds going!

What is your favourite activity or event in Kelowna? Why?
Watching the Kelowna Rockets dominate the league, I may be an Island girl but the Rockets have my heart. I have never seen a city rally around a team more so than Kelowna, the fans are loyal and it’s great to see such a united community. Go Rockets Go!

What is the name of your business/organization?
Port Victoria Catering. Named after my hometown of Victoria, B.C.

What does your business/organization do?
Port Victoria Catering is boutique catering company in the Okanagan. We specialize in cocktail parties, canapés, intimate dinner parties and full service Afternoon Tea’s.

Where can people find you or your business online?
www.portvictoriacatering.com

Where can people find your business on Facebook?
https://www.facebook.com/portvictoriacatering

What is your Instagram account?
@portvictoriacatering

What is your mission?
Port Victoria Catering specializes in fresh, local and seasonal ingredients in order to provide our clients the best product possible. We are a small operation with a passion for delicious food and great parties. Our goal is to put our clients at ease when they are planning their gathering, whether the event is a cocktail party or afternoon tea service, we are here to help you enjoy yourself too!

If you could achieve one thing within your field, what would it be?
My goals are simple; I want to achieve success and recognition for my brand. I hope I can remain innovative and relevant within the culinary field. A best-selling cookbook couldn't hurt either!

Where do you want your business/organization to be in five years?
I hope to have a retail and commercial kitchen space, hopefully with more employees so we can start to take on bigger events. It would also be lovely to have gourmet Port Victoria pre-packaged canapés in grocery stores, making entertaining easier and more accessible for my clients.

Who do you consider to be a forerunner within your field?
Wolfgang Puck and the brand he has created is incredibly admirable. He does everything from opening five star restaurants all over the world to catering the Oscars and penning many inspiring cookbooks. I was fortunate enough to meet him who only confirmed how brilliant he is, all that success and still just a man with a love of good food.

What three qualities do you feel that your business/organization exemplifies?
At Port Victoria Catering we “cater” to the Okanagan lifestyle, we want to help our clients enhance and enjoy their free time and we do that by providing fresh, quality ingredients combined with innovative culinary creations. We like to utilize local produce and vendors because we have so much available to us in the Okanagan. Simplicity is key for us; we don't want hiring your caterer to be stressful and time consuming, once we build a relationship with you it is as simple as a phone call or email and we will handle the rest!

What would you like to say to your employees/volunteers?
To anyone and everyone that has helped make Port Victoria Catering what it is, I thank you. This community has been so generous and welcomed me and my business with open arms; I can’t wait to continue building on these relationships.

How does your business/organization impact the community?
We fill a gap in the community, providing a small scale, boutique catering experience that wasn't offered before. We are also passionate about positively impacting the community and are doing so by supporting the August Family Foundation at a fundraising event for the Kelowna Hospice House on August 27th, 2015. Keep in touch on Facebook and Instagram for tickets; it is an event not to be missed!

If you were trapped in an elevator with several wealthy investors from any field, which field would you want them to be experts in? What would say to them/talk about?
At this point I am just happy with anyone in the industry that wants to give me tips and tricks on how to succeed. Meeting a great publisher might be nice for my cookbook aspirations!

If I could change one thing about Kelowna, it would be:
A few more places to shop, although shops like LBV and Man+Woman give me hope there will be more to come!

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
People living in Kelowna are here for a certain lifestyle, the mountains, the lake, the wineries; it all adds to the collective feel of the city. It’s like we are all in on this little secret that we truly live in the best place on earth!

My choice for the Kelowna In Focus spotlight is:
Spinco, it is my go to workout after a big event and they do a lot for the community, the owner is also a personal friend so I can’t say enough good things about this company!

Some general comments I would like to share are:
Make sure to check out this summer’s issue of Adore Magazine where I write a feature article on summer wedding cuisine!

We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below, and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kelowna!



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