For the last few weeks, we've been getting to know the vendors at the Virtual Farmers Market through short interviews and vignettes. You can see past segments in the series here.
This week we want to take the opportunity to introduce you to Chef Victoria of Ti Kay La.
At Ti Kay La we use only the freshest and most authentic ingredients to make our wide range of pepper, barbecue and cooking sauces, spice rubs and marinades.
Everything I cook is a reflection of my St. Lucian childhood. I grew up in a small house – Ti Kay La, in St. Lucian Creole – in the coastal town of Castries. With just two rooms for Mother, Father, and fourteen kids, I learned early to savour the natural riches surrounding us: the azure sea that supplied us with fish, and the hot West Indian sun that ripened the avocado, plantain, peppers, and papaya growing at our doorstep. Whatever else the family may have lacked, I never ran short of love, the kindness of neighbours, or the freshest fruits and vegetables. These are the things I remember about my childhood. I put these memories, and Island sunshine, into every sauce I make. I have had the pleasure to cook in some of the top hotels, restaurants, and catering kitchens in both St. Lucia and Toronto. In 2019, I competed on Food Network Canada’s Fire Masters. As a trained nutritionist, my philosophy is to take the freshest, most natural ingredients – mostly local with a few from St. Lucia – and transform them into something healthy, delicious, full of flavour and just hot enough to be exciting.
Ti Kay La has a variety of flavourful rubs, marinades, and chutneys on the Market this week, including Mango St. Lucian Rum BBQ Sauce, BBQ Spice Blend Rub, and Hot Tamarind and Ginger Chutney.
Graze & Gather, formerly the Virtual Farmers Market, was formed by farmers in the early days of the pandemic, out of the tremendous need for collaboration and cooperation between farmers and homes. The GCF Hub increases access to the best, seasonal food from small producers and provides a direct connection to the people growing and making your food.
