Half Italian and half French Canadian, Chef Tristan Gauthier- Reia grew up in the greater Toronto area developing his cooking skills in the restaurants and wineries of that region. Cooking was a big part of life for both sides of his family, his grandmothers playing a leading role at every family gathering. Tristan developed a love of food through these family events and knew where his career was going from a young age. He attended cooking school in Montreal at Institut d’hotellerie & tourism du Quebec specializing in Italian Cuisine there through a specialized program then left for Italy to further his education and earn some practical experience. He attended a school in Parma, Italy then interned at a restaurant in Trieste on the Adriatic. Since there is no pay for the internship, Tristan slept on the chef’s floor at his house and accompanied him to work every day taking in every learning opportunity. Tristan moved out to the central Okanagan in 2020 quickly connecting with us at Il Mercato Social Kitchen and has continued to make great contributions and elevate our product since. Tristan is married with a young daughter and another on the way, he loves outdoor activities including biking and snowboarding and spends his spare time with family cooking and enjoying the magic of the Okanagan.
