Culinary Ink has been a long time in the making for Chef/Owner Donnie Ungaro. Being born and raised in the Sunny Okanagan, Donnie was surrounded by food, wine, beaches and ski hills. He began cooking at an early age. Donnie took a position in the family business and then obtained his Bachelors of Business Administration, with honors, majoring in Marketing. After a family tragedy, Donnie stepped back and asked himself why he wasn’t following his passion of cooking?
He then moved to Vancouver and attended The Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts (PICA). During his time there, he competed in the Granville Island Comfort Food Challenge, which he won and in the BC Hot Food Expo at BC Place, in which he took home a bronze medal.
Upon completion of his culinary diploma, Donnie returned to Kelowna and trained under Chef Rod Butters, Culinary Hall of fame Member and Canadian Culinary Federation (CCFC) Chef of the year at the CAA Rated 4-diamond Fresco Restaurant and Lounge (now RauDZ Regional Table). During his time at Fresco, Donnie cooked for NHL players and coaches, a New York Times critic, TV celebrities and at Wine Masters Dinners. He recently completed his Culinary Red Seal and is a member of the CCFCC, the Canadian Culinary Federation.
While he was spoiled with local produce, the best of ingredients and tutorage under one of the best, Donnie missed a lot of time and memories with his friends and family. With the promise of better hours and pay, Donnie was lured back to an office job, but his heart was still in the kitchen.
Thus Culinary Ink was born. Chef Donnie now follows his passion for sharing and preparing great food. Also, instead of hiding tattoo sleeve at the office, it shows under the chef whites (and dress blacks) and allows Donnie to be more true to his self.
When not reading cookbooks or planning menus, Donnie can be spotted walking or biking around Kelowna or at the local restaurants and wineries.
Kelowna Culinary Ink. is a licensed, serving it right, food safe certified Kelowna Catering and personal chef service.
