In the Kootenays, every flavour carries the story of the people and the place that inspire it. Chef Cory Chapman brings nearly 30 years of culinary experience as a Red Seal certified chef to the Ktunaxa Grill at Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort. Almost ten years ago, he and his family moved to the Kootenays, where the mountains, rivers, and trails now fuel both his adventurous spirit and his kitchen creations.

Julie Sekulich made her own journey from Edmonton to Silverton in the Slocan Valley, where she runs her beloved Camp Cafe. For her, every cup of coffee is a chance to connect with the community and celebrate the vibrant flavours of the region. Together, their stories and passions show how every dish, every brew, and every bite is shaped by the landscapes and the lives behind them in the Birthplace of Adventure.

CORY CHAPMAN

Chef Cory is passionate about the outdoors and spends much of his time with his family hiking, foraging, swimming, fishing, backcountry camping, four-wheeling, gathering firewood, and snowboarding. And feels, that time spent in the mountains, forests, and lakes is where he thrives.

“I first came to the Kootenays as a visitor from Vancouver. Soon after, as luck would have it, I was offered a position as Chef at Ainsworth Hot Springs. I thought I would try it out for a year or so as I was feeling done with big city life. That was almost 10 years ago. I fell in love with the wild beauty and was inspired to tell its story through my menu. The response has been amazing and greatly fulfilling. I have put down roots here and I am proud to say my family and I are now Kootenay locals“, shared Cory.

Cory is the Executive Chef of the Ktunaxa Grill, the signature restaurant at Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort. A Red Seal certified chef with nearly 30 years of experience, he brings a deep and versatile culinary background with his with Indigenous inspired menu. 

Nestled into the mountainside along the north shore of Kootenay Lake (north of Nelson), Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort is owned and operated by the Yaqan Nukiy (Lower Kootenay Band). Since time immemorial, the nupika wu’u, ‘or spirit water’, has been revered by the Ktunaxa people as a place of restoration and renewal. The warm mineral waters of the cave and pool offer a range of rejuvenating experiences, inviting visitors to relax, reflect, and connect with the natural beauty of this remarkable place. 

“Our natural environment directly influences my creativity. To me this means utilizing edible items from our surrounding area, things the Indigenous ancestors may have harvested for food. Turning those ingredients into modern delicacies. On my menu, you can find many items such as local mushrooms, berries, herbs, flowers and on and on, depending on the seasons”, added Chef Cory.

JULIE SEKULICH

“In 2020, I (Julie) was living in Edmonton and the world was… well a different time. I was in the bar industry at the time – and my job no longer existed. I would often hustle every day at work for 10 months of the year just to go camping throughout the country for the summer. So that summer when my life was quiet – a friend of mine invited me out to camp in Kootenay Bay so I went!  One day, while hiking out in Kaslo I decided to keep driving and was on this little drive,  in search of food as I was starving and underprepared, ha ha! I stopped at this little place in Silverton – called Camp Cafe.

As I walked in, I  noticed a for sale sign on the window and as I was snacking on some lemon cheesecake – I made a joking offer to the owner and she said ‘accepted’ – and we wrote out the offer on the back of a till receipt and I told her to give me a few weeks for me to get life together, and that was that. I went back to the campground that night, started googling real estate, listed my place in Edmonton and moved out here six weeks later. Five years later, I’m still here and I love it here more and more each and every day. I have never in my life felt so much love, support, and a place that truly feels like home”, shared Julie. 

The heritage building, established between 1903-1906, is located in the charming community of Silverton (a five minute drive south of New Denver). Julie has thoughtfully restored Camp Cafe, bringing to life a vision centred around honest, simple, and inspired cuisine, with an emphasis on local and seasonal ingredients.

The menu highlights freshly baked goods, including house-made paninis, quiches, frittatas, egg bites, and an assortment of desserts – all prepared daily. Camp Cafe’s inviting, welcoming atmosphere has earned it a reputation as a standout eatery, making it an ideal choice for a local brew with a pastry or a leisurely meal while out exploring or staying in the area.  

“It’s about tapping into our true authentic passions and following our cool dorky interests that make us – well us. Whether it’s connecting with our friends at the coffee shop, a stroll to the lake to bask in the sun before paddleboarding, off-roading to hidden lakes on our ATVs, camping on mountain peaks, taking in history in a ghost town, or a night of music in the park – all of these can be done within a short distance”, added Julie (when describing the Kootenay lifestyle in Silverton).

Cover photo courtesy of Chef Cory Chapman.