This November, we welcome Chef Timothy Charles, Executive Chef of Fogo Island Inn and an alumnus of the Wickaninnish Inn kitchen, back to Tofino for a special collaborative dinner with Executive Chef Clayton Fontaine of The Pointe Restaurant.

Chef Timothy Charles, Executive Chef, Fogo Island Inn:

Chef Timothy Charles is the Executive Chef at Fogo Island Inn, where his cooking is rooted in the land, sea, and traditions of Newfoundland.

Originally from Prospect, Nova Scotia, he began his culinary life as a cook's assistant aboard a ship navigating the Eastern United States and the Great Lakes. That early experience led him to formal training at The Culinary Institute of Canada, from which he graduated in 2004. He went on to sharpen his skills at the Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino, British Columbia, under Chef Andrew Springett, a former Canadian representative at the Bocuse d'Or. Subsequent years cooking aboard sailing vessels — in the Caribbean, the South Pacific, coastal Newfoundland, and Antarctica — deepened his commitment to local ingredients and sustainable practice.

In 2012, drawn by Fogo Island Inn's vision as a community-centered social business, Chef Charles joined the team during its construction, beginning at the Kitchen Training Centre. He moved through the roles of Sous-Chef, Pastry Chef, and Executive Sous Chef before being appointed Executive Chef in January 2022. His kitchen draws more than 80% of its produce from the island or nearby mainland Newfoundland, supporting the local economy while celebrating the region's natural bounty. He holds traditional island preservation methods — salting, dehydrating, fermenting — as central to his practice, extending the reach of local ingredients across all seven seasons.

Beyond the Inn, Chef Charles and his wife Jennifer tend 35 acres of regenerative organic farmland on Fogo Island, deepening their investment in the community's long-term self-sufficiency.

Fogo Island Inn:

Newfoundland’s Fogo Island Inn is more than an Inn — it is a place with purpose. The award-winning Inn was built on the principles of sustainability and respect for nature and culture. The 29 one-of-a-kind rooms and suites feature floor-to-ceiling views of the Atlantic, and all dining experiences, meals, treats, and late-night snacks are included with each stay. At Fogo Island Inn, every dish tells a story and connects guests with people and place. The community-centred social business is an initiative of Shorefast, a Canadian charity that is forging a new path at the intersection of business, philanthropy, and community economic development. All operating surpluses are reinvested in the community of Fogo Island through Shorefast's programs and initiatives.

To purchase tickets to this event, please visit our online store.