[ Chef-Owner ]

Born and raised on Vancouver Island, Kate’s love for cooking and baking took root early. At just eight years old, she received her first cookbook, Let Me in the Kitchen by Susan Mendelson — a fitting title, as once she stepped into the kitchen, she never left. Her passion for nourishing others runs deep, inspired by her Norwegian grandmothers and mother. That legacy of feeding others laid the foundation for Kate’s lifelong journey in the culinary arts.

After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, Kate returned to Vancouver Island to pursue a career in fine dining, where she opened her first restaurant with her family in 1999 – The Sunflower Café. While the café was a significant milestone in her career, it was the opening of Old Town Bakery in Ladysmith in 2003 that truly solidified her place in the local community. Known for its iconic cinnamon buns, Old Town Bakery became a beloved fixture, winning the Times Colonist People's Choice Islands Best Cinnamon Bun award. In 2008, she took her career another step forward, completing her Red Seal in Baking.

After navigating some personal health challenges, Kate and her husband Geoff opened Wild Poppy Bistro in 2013, a restaurant that focused on thoughtfully-sourced and prepared foods with an emphasis on gluten-free and vegan options. Kate eventually went on to become a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, a natural complement to her culinary skills and menu development, which taught her that food itself is nature’s best medicine. In 2022, Kate transformed the bistro into Wild Poppy Market, pivoting to 100% gluten-free grab and go meals, baked goods, and local products, offering convenience without compromising on quality or taste.

Throughout her career, Kate has remained deeply involved in the Ladysmith community, including mentoring students through VIU’s baking program and volunteering her time to local groups and events. During the holidays, Kate began the annual Letters to Santa campaign right outside Wild Poppy Market, a heartfelt initiative to give back to her community, and is a big supporter of the Ladysmith Family + Friends Resource Program. Her dedication to her craft and community has been recognized through several accolades, including Employer of the Year by the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce and as a finalist for the Women of Influence Nanaimo Award in the Trades category.

Kate’s passion for food, health, and community continues to drive her work, as she strives to create meaningful, lasting connections through every dish, every interaction, and every opportunity to give back to the community she loves.