Meet the Team

Our In-House Culinary Team

A young man wearing a white shirt and a dark apron stands behind a table with arranged snacks and flowers, smiling at the camera, indoors with a bright background.

Colton Kuiack

Colton comes from a business and entrepreneurial background, not a professional kitchen — but years spent around Vancouver Island's food and hospitality scene, including catering gigs of his own gave him a front-row view of a clear gap: talented independent chefs, sommeliers, and bartenders wanted more flexibility, and clients had no easy way to book them directly. Arbutus Collective was built to close that gap, and today Colton leads day-to-day operations — from vetting team members to matching clients with the right chef for their event.

Founder & Chef
A man in a kitchen holding two pots while flexing his arms. The kitchen has wooden logs, a dining table with chairs, and various kitchen items including bottles and food.

Stacy Kuiack

Stacy is a lifelong cook whose culinary journey has been shaped by a deep appreciation for the art of bringing people together around a table. With experience as a chef at Doc 503 in Victoria and time spent working overseas in Italy, including the shores of Lago di Como, Stacy draws inspiration from Basque and Spanish culinary traditions rooted in his heritage. His cooking brings traditional recipes and time-honoured techniques into a contemporary, modern style, creating food that feels both familiar and fresh while remaining grounded in the flavours and stories that inspired it. Certified Sommelier.

Chef & Culinary Advisor
A cheerful chef with glasses and a beard wearing a chef's hat and apron, smiling in a restaurant or cafe with large windows and other people in the background.

Peter Zambri

Peter is a restaurateur and longtime figure in Victoria’s culinary community, best known as a co-owner and the original chef behind Zambri’s. He helped establish Zambri’s in 1999 alongside Jo Zambri, building the restaurant around authentic Italian food, warm hospitality, and strong connections to the Victoria community. Today, Peter continues to be involved in the management and direction of Zambri’s, helping carry forward the restaurant’s traditions while supporting its evolution. Certified Sommolier.

Chef & Culinary Advisor

Our Bartenders

A smiling man with sunglasses and a cap, taking a selfie outdoors on a mountain trail with snow-capped peaks in the background.

Brad Williams

Sommolier & Bartender

Brad is a seasoned bartender and sommelier whose career reflects a deep command of both spirits and wine. With years of experience, Brad brings a rare dual expertise to every event — equally at home crafting a cocktail program as he is guiding guests through a curated wine list. His approach blends technical precision with genuine hospitality, always centered on creating a memorable experience for everyone involved.

A smiling man with a beard wearing a baseball cap and a dark shirt, lying on his stomach with a Bulldog dog in front of him, in black and white.

Ted Low

Beverage Advisor & Bartender

Ted is a veteran hospitality professional whose career has taken him from behind the bar to the front of house, with years spent honing his craft across Vancouver Island and beyond. He has managed operations at a restaurant in Whistler, developing a sharp eye for service, pace, and guest experience along the way. As an advisor, Ted lends that depth of industry experience to shaping the standards and strategy behind every event — from cocktail programs to full bar service — with the same instinct that's guided his whole career: great hospitality is about making people feel taken care of.

Looking for someone specific?
The professionals featured here are a sample of our growing team across Vancouver Island... we're always welcoming talented chefs and beverage professionals to join.

Join Our Team

Part-Time · Contract · Paid Per Event

Join Our Culinary Team

Arbutus Collective is a Victoria-based team of chefs, sommeliers, and bartenders delivering private dinners, lunches, and events across Greater Victoria and the South Island. We're not a traditional catering company — we're the team behind the scenes, bringing exceptional local talent to clients who want a personal, curated experience.

Roles with Arbutus Collective are flexible and event-based — built for professionals who already run their own kitchen, work in hospitality, or freelance, and want to take on select events around their own schedule. There's no minimum commitment and no set hours; you choose the bookings that work for you, and you're paid for each event you work.

We're building a team of skilled, established professionals who take pride in their craft and want consistent access to well-matched private events without giving up their flexibility. If that sounds like you, we'd love to hear from you.

Sound like a fit? Email us at arbutuscollectiveltd@gmail.com — we'd love to hear from you.