At the young age of “as far back as I can remember...”, Chef Olivia’s love of food began on the banks of Lake Ontario, in the small town of Brighton, with her mother by her side.

Chef Olivia remembers standing on the chair, transfixed by her mother preparing family recipes.

Before long, she was slicing and chopping alongside her older brother, contributing to the family dinners.

She recalls her first recipe being the family’s traditional Sunday sit-down: roast beef and all the fixins.

Getting her first taste of a kitchen at such an early age, she was prepared for her first ''official'' job at the local deli, cooking up roast chickens and preparing fresh salads.

Although her love of food was strong, she found her true love, her husband Kyle, while attending Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo.

Kyle was also well-versed in the kitchen, doing stints in respected restaurants across Canada, including the farm-to-fork bistro ‘Chives’ in Halifax. 

After years of traveling, both at home and abroad, it was time to focus on a career and Ottawa became home. 

During a successful catering partnership with Pure Yoga studio, owners Amber and Jen recognized the thought, care, and presentation Olivia and Kyle put into their food.

The seed was planted! Amber and Jen called upon the dynamic chef duo to join the ‘Pure’ team and open a new vegetarian restaurant.

After Chef Olivia perfected the (now) famous Mushroom Walnut Burger recipe Kyle was working on, he quickly realized the Pure apron belonged to her.

Chef Olivia’s dedication and love of healthy food has rubbed off on her tightknit staff, who efficiently run the back-of-the-house while Olivia focuses on the future of Pure Kitchen.

Chef’s vision of healthy food, fresh unique flavours, and community connectivity has proven to be a success.

With a second location charging ahead on Elgin street, with an innovative cocktail bar upstairs, in addition to a partnership with the Parkdale Food Market and the Churchill Public school gardens, there is plenty to keep her busy.