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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

Portrait of TJ Conwi

Food service specialist & community leader

 TJ Conwi’s passion for food bridges West Coast and Asian cuisines, rooted in his Filipino heritage and shaped by his experiences in kitchens in Taiwan and Chile. His dishes are creative, flavourful, and guided by a commitment to sustainability.

 

After formal training under French chefs at the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts, TJ refined his craft at The Arbutus Club and within the hotel industry—most recently as Executive Chef at Delta Hotels Vancouver Downtown Suites by Marriott. He was also part of the opening team at the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel before the 2010 Winter Olympics.

 

Throughout his career, TJ has executed large-scale hotel functions for hundreds of guests and orchestrated elaborate galas for the Japanese, Filipino, and French Consulates. His culinary leadership has also been showcased at major events, including the BC Food & Beverage Awards and his own fundraiser series, A Night of Too Many Chefs.

 

Today, as the owner of Ono Vancouver, TJ combines his expertise, creativity and community focus to make a lasting impact in the local food industry. Ono’s services—event catering, private dining and kitchen consulting—all fuel his mission to:

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


Read more about Ono Vancouver's community impact and visit ReRoot Kitchen, where they turn surplus food into healthy, frozen meals.


TJ also serves on the Chefs' Table Society of British Columbia Board of Directors as Education Co-Chair, continuing to mentor and inspire the next generation of culinary professionals.

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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