iBali means “the story” in isiXhosa – one of the 11 official languages of South Africa. “The story” that is passed down from one generation to the next. A wisdom of years long gone by, shared with those who are now taking the torch of life and writing their own stories on the pages of life. Stories to be cherished and one day, passed down to those who follow in their footsteps.

Hailing from South Africa and ending up in the unceded lands of Victoria and Vancouver Island, I’ve traveled the world over to call this spectacular place my home. In those extensive travels, I’ve been living out my own story - learning, growing and writing the pages of something worth sharing.
The friendly, welcoming nature of the people in Zambia, the piri-piri in Mozambique, the awe-inspiring landscape of Kenya, the vastness of the Namibian desert, to the sun-kissed beaches and laid-back temperament of the Caribbean. The exceptional quality of ingredients and “la dolce vita” of Italy. The freshness of ceviche in Peru, the pasión of the Spanish, witnessed in a Flamenco dance, to the taste of fresh Tahitian vanilla. The sweltering heat of Greece in the summer. Around and around the whole-wide-world until at last, the overwhelming kindness, generosity and genuine people of Canada.

Absorbing the multitude of cultures, I’ve been immersed in, I’ve learned to speak new languages and the language of food extends beyond all lines of manmade borders, differences and beliefs. These follow along “the journey” of life that we all live and share. “The journey” we at iBali wish to make an exceptional one for all our guests.

Luciano Pavarotti once said: “One of the very best things about life - is the way we must regularly stop, whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating”.
Food is more than just sustenance for our bodies, it is the very essence of life itself. Sharing a special meal with loved ones is one of, if not, the oldest way to celebrate for all of humankind, since time immemorial.

Taking what the earth and mother nature have so generously provided, we as chefs do our best to let the ingredients tell their own story. A story of farmers working the land, a story of differing climates, a story of soil composition and the ever-changing seasons. A story from farm to table, that encompasses the whole cycle of life, which we have lost touch with in our busy day-to-day lives

We at iBali want to bridge that gap for you, your loved ones and friends. We want to give you your time back, to enjoy the beauty of adding to your own story and the story of those around you.

Let us add to your “journey” of life and ultimately write a story that is cherished as the years go by and passed on to those who come after us.

iBali – “The Story”.