OUR STORY
Brad Lazarenko, the Founder and Executive Chef de Cuisine of the Culina Family of Restaurants, is a self-taught Chef raised in Spruce Grove, Alberta and a proud member of the Metis Nation of Alberta.
His first restaurant, a 45-seat neighbourhood bistro called ‘Culina’ (the root word for culinary) opened in Edmonton’s beautiful Millcreek neighbourhood in 2004. With excellent reviews, Culina introduced Edmonton to Brad’s philosophy of offering quality and affordable comfort food using products from local suppliers and producers.
Since then, Brad has opened restaurants in Osoyoos, BC (Passatempo) and Nelson, BC (BiBO), operated Edmonton’s River Valley Golfcourses, has consulted for many new restaurants, operated food booths at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival and the Royal Bison Craft Fair and has catered over 300 weddings and private events.
Brad currently operates Culina To Go in the Oliver Exchange Building, The café and catering in the Muttart Conservatory, the lakeside concession and patio in Hawrelak Park and will be resurrecting BiBO Winebar in the newly renovated Old Strathcona Hotel on Whyte Avenue in 2022.
Bon appetit!
Culina Founder & Executive Chef, Brad Lazarenko, is a proud member
of the 'Metis Nation of Alberta' and 'Indigenous Tourism Alberta'.
PRESS
Edmonton Journal
Local developer links food and history in refurbished buildings.
Edmonton Journal
New restaurant in Hawrelak Park promises fresh and local fare for park goers.
CBC
Local restaurant owner to return to Edmonton's river valley after multinational company exit.
Edmonton Sun
Hicks on Biz: Edmonton restaurateur putting restlessness to work.