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ONO VANCOUVER
Home
Catering
Private Dining
Community Programs
Events
About us
More
  • Home
  • Catering
  • Private Dining
  • Community Programs
  • Events
  • About us

  • Home
  • Catering
  • Private Dining
  • Community Programs
  • Events
  • About us

Meet Chef TJ Conwi

Food service specialist & community leader

TJ has a passion for both West Coast and Asian cuisine. His culinary curiosity began with his roots in the Philippines and has taken him as far away as kitchens in Taiwan and Chile. Organic, local and sustainable ingredients are the highlight of his dishes.


After training under French chefs at the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts, TJ honed his skills at The Arbutus Club and in the hotel industry, most recently as executive chef at Delta Hotels Vancouver Downtown Suites by Marriott. He was an integral member of the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel’s opening team before the 2010 Winter Olympics. TJ has executed hotel functions for hundreds of people,  elaborate galas for the Japanese, Filipino and French Consulate, and large-scale events like the BC Food & Beverage Awards and Chefs in the Hood. 

 

He now owns Ono Vancouver, where he uses his expertise, creativity and connections to make an impact in the food industry. His business services—event catering, private dining and ReRoot home meal replacement—all fuel his community-minded goals: 

  • Fight food insecurity
  • End food waste
  • Ensure all children have access to healthy lunch at school


Read more about Ono Vancouver's community impact.


TJ is currently on the Chefs' Table Society of British Columbia Board of Directors as education co-chair.

In the News

Vancouver Filipino Chef Meal Train in the news:

  • After deadly crash, Vancouver Filipinos say they're leaning on 'kapwa,' or togetherness  - April 28, 2025 | NBC News
  • ​Local Filipinos helping those impacted by Lapu Lapu Day tragedy - April 28, 2025 | CBC Radio: The Early Edition
  • Vancouver chefs launch meal program to help victims, families of Lapu Lapu Day tragedy - April 29, 2025 | Vancouver Sun
  • Community rallies around those affected by Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy - April 29, 2025 | CBC News
  • Filipino chef turns talents to feeding victims of Vancouver’s Lapu Lapu tragedy - April 30, 2025 | Global News
  • Vancouver chefs rally to provide food delivery program to mourning Filipino community - April 30, 2025 | CTV News

The Nosh Podcast Ep 190 The Nosh - Chef & Food Security Advocate TJ Conwi

Nov. 30, 2024 | 100.6 Coop Radio Vancouver | Anya Levykh

Chef TJ on the Pechakucha Stage Volume 58 Talking about his journey through food and his art 

Sept.  21, 2024 | Vancouver Playhouse | Design Vancouver Festival

Keeping Thanksgiving dinner affordable

Oct. 5, 2023 | BC Today - CBC Vancouver | Michelle Eliot

Vancouver chef tackles food insecurity one meal at a time

July 6, 2023 | The Georgia Straight | Bridget Stringer-Holden

Pinoy chef sa Vancouver ginamit ang talento para tulungan ang mga nakakaranas ng gutom

March 23, 2023 | Omni News | Rhea Santos

Spotlight on: Chef TJ Conwi

Jan. 16, 2023 | FoodMesh

These talented chefs are using a surplus of food to feed those in need

July 16, 2021 | Daily Hive Dished | Hogan Short

These six Canadians are making the country a better place

Dec. 13, 2021 | Tangerine

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