On August 11, Gather reopened in Daajing Giids Queen Charlotte after months of careful preparation for the eventual welcoming of patrons. The approach to the restaurant has a new ramp, and the patio now sports a cover over a portion of the seating area. The eatery is also newly licensed for wine and beer.

Well known for his “Modern Italian” menu items, Red Seal Chef Giulio (pronounced like Julio) Delle Nuvole Piccioli took some time to reflect on the journey that led to this moment.

Born in Italy, Giulio began his culinary expertise at fourteen when his mother broke her ankle and was forced to remain in bed. She would direct him on how to cook the family meals via a walkie talkie. He remembers his family spending a long time lingering over a meal, typical of the Italian culture.

At nineteen he came to Canada, and missing his mother’s cooking he set about learning all of her recipes. During his twenties Giulio would return often from Canada to Italy’s Tuscany to work in restaurants cooking traditional dishes. Studying cooking at Fanshaw College in Ontario, Giulio realized his mother had already shown him how to build a traditional Italian dish following precise guidelines. And as he explored cooking in Canada he was able to experiment with food, which was the key to unlocking his culinary magic.

In 2019, Giulio and his wife Anne-Marie Cayer, a midwife, had an opportunity to come to Haida Gwaii for Anne-Marie’s one-year contract in midwifery. The family, including daughters Pia and Pema, spent thirteen months in Tll.aal Tlell living on Darrell Oike and Celina Laursen’s property. Celina and Anne-Marie had studied midwifery at school together. While the family of four were off island for two months, a friend of theirs spoke to the owners of a piece of property on the main road of Daajing Giids Queen Charlotte on their behalf. Negotiations began, renovations began, and then just a few months before the pandemic shut everything down, Gather opened to rave reviews and then had to close.

During the pandemic closure Giulio applied for and received the Village of Queen Charlotte Façade Improvement Grant. Friend Darrell Oikie, a talented artist and carpenter, set to work converting Gather into an eatery with easier access and creating an inclusive space to shelter patrons from some of Haida Gwaii’s changeable weather. He also built the restaurant sign at the side of the road. The bathroom is accessible to those with mobility challenges.

What’s in a Name?

Gather reopened in mid-August, just before we bade farewell to Queen B’s restaurant, the beloved community sweet spot.

The name Gather comes from Giulio’s love of bringing people together and having them linger over a variety of savoury foods in an atmosphere of comfort and community. A new neighbourhood sweet spot.

With their new liquor license, Gather now features BC wines that reflect the food on offer and will change with the seasons. Two sparkling wines will be included. Several varieties of beer will also be on the list. No hard liquor is available.

Inspired to cook with the great abundance and variety available on island, the menu includes local ingredients from Bush Foods in Sandspit. Think alder-smoked chanterelles and smoked dried morrells. Available at Isabel Creek Store Fridays and weekly at Super Value in Sandspit, Bush Foods supplies chickweed, yarrow, nettle and more, plus up to fifteen different varieties of foraged and farmed edible mushrooms. Bush Foods participates in the Farmers Market East in Daajing Giids Queen Charlotte on Saturdays at Gather from 11am to 2pm. You can also find them on Facebook.

In addition to their edible offerings, Gather offers a pantry of bulk soaps for sale. Bring your own jars and stock up on BC-made non-toxic soap cleaning products, shampoo bars, concentrated soaps and laundry soaps. You can buy just what you need, as a small amount goes a long way.

There is also an art wall for island artists to display their talent. A small area is set aside for children to play.

Giulio savours life on Haida Gwaii. It’s the inclusivity of the island community as a whole. It’s the bountiful food choices. It’s the times people are able to gather and relax while having a delicious meal, a savoury tea or pungent coffee, a sweet dessert. And it’s when he puts the long tables together for a large gathering, a whisper of Italy, a celebration to life on Haida Gwaii.

Buon appetito!

Gather restaurant is located at 223 Oceanview Drive in Daajing Giids Queen Charlotte. Open for lunch and dinner Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Reservations are recommended. Call 778-260-1145. For more information, including menus, visit their website at gatherfood.ca.