Hall of fame honour for Victoria chef
The co-owner and chef of Zambri’s in Victoria has been inducted into the B.C. Restaurant Hall of Fame.
Peter Zambri, who owns Zambri’s with his sister, Jo, is one of two active restaurateurs to be inducted this year. The other is Darren Flintoff, president of the Stonewater Group.
The two join past inductees such as Charles McDiarmid of the Wickanninish Inn, Sinclair Philip of Sooke Harbour House and Greg Hays and Silvia Macolini of Cafe Brio.
“I’m surprised. I didn’t think something like this would happen to me, and I’m humbled,” said Zambri, taking a break between lunch and dinner service. “I’m joining a pretty elite group of restaurateurs and people in the industry, so I’m really grateful and honoured by the recognition.”
For 51-year-old Zambri, who started working in kitchens when he was 17, the award is less a pat on the back for success, and more of a recognition of the passion he has for the art and science that is running a restaurant.
“It’s about the dedication you put into this and about how you have helped bring others along by training and inspiring them,” he said. “And I think I have done a good job in that.”
Many chefs in Victoria and well beyond have worked under Zambri. As for his longevity, running one of the most popular restaurants in Victoria for 18 years, he said that is down to stubbornness, love of the industry and ensuring he has a strong support network. “I’ve made sure to keep my eye on the ball, and I have been fortunate enough by having surrounded myself with people who are like-minded, encouraging and supportive,” he said.
That has allowed him to experiment, make mistakes and try new twists on old classics without fear that failure would be the end of the world. And despite countless hours in over-heated kitchens, he is still in love with the business.
As a teenager, he was seduced by the sights, sounds, smells and hard work. “It was unbelievable. It was electric and exciting and that still holds true,” he said, noting customers come in for dinner, but what they are missing behind the scenes is the show. “It’s a performance, man we are making it happen — it’s a dance.”
Zambri is the choreographer, passing on the guidance of people like Sinclair Philip, who gave him space to learn and experiment when he worked at Sooke Harbour House as a young chef. “I’m more of a guide for my staff. Rather than tell them exactly what to do, I let them come to me with ideas and let them do what they think is best,” he said.
As for him, there’s always room to grow. “I have some irons in the fire,” he said. “I’m not sure I will stay in Victoria my whole life, it’s a big world out there.”
Zambri said there are many options, such as growing Zambri’s, shrinking its footprint or determining a succession plan at some point. Regardless, he is open to all possibilities, including starting over. “Re-creating the wheel is something I look forward to, it inspires me,” he said, adding with the Hall of Fame nod he’s been instilled with a new level of confidence.
The Hall of Fame inductees — there are five in other categories — will share the stage with the B.C. Restaurant Award winners at a gala May 8 in Vancouver.