Long time restaurateur and industry professional, Geoff is dedicated to providing his guests with an excellent dining experience and is proud to showcase Vancouver Island’s passion for locally grown items. For over two decades he has had the pleasure of working in fine establishments both locally & internationally. Born in England and immediately introduced to the Hospitality Industry by his father at the Royal Bath Hotel in Bournemouth, his first step into an industry that he would learn and love. At a young age of 14 he started his paid career in the kitchen as a dishwasher, then moved to cooking where he decided that out front was where he’d belong. Harbour Towers Hotel in Victoria BC would have him in many positions over 9 years to include Server, Host, Bartender, Banquets, Wine Steward and of course Room Service. Europe was his next stop as he traveled back to his home country of England to gain international experience. It started as a Bartender in a trendy Wine Bar/Restaurant called “Pals”, then a trip to Les 3 Vallées, Méribel at the French Alps. There he worked by night as a bartender/server and snowboarded by day. After his time in France he returned to England and became Manager of a popular Wine Bar & Restaurant called Sevens in Farnham where he was for two years. The year 2000 Geoff, Maggie & their son Jack moved to Victoria BC to call it home. Geoff continued to grow his skills in the Hospitality Industry by accepting a position at Chateau Victoria Hotel that would assist in opening and running the popular Vista 18. After a few years he moved to the golf club industry and started at Royal Colwood Golf Club as Food & Beverage Manager. After being part of the Team for almost 2 years he moved to Olympic View Golf Club, a member of GolfBC, where he drove the Food & Beverage Department until his dream of owning a restaurant became a reality. His passion for fine food, wine & excellent service are what you can expect from the Team at Paprika Bistro.

A native of Victoria, Anna Hunt was born into a family big on sharing food, wine, and each other’s company. Fuelled by a passion for food and learning, Anna has spent much of her life in the kitchen. She began to develop her culinary talents more seriously in Montreal, where she studied French pastry and was taken under the wings of renowned chefs Stephen Leslie and Ryan Dixon at Montreal’s popular Taverne sur le Square. Although Anna did flirt with a career as a pâtissiere, her love of teamwork and adrenaline brought her back to savoury cooking. Anna spent four years moving through the ranks at the Taverne’s four-star kitchen before she felt a call from the West Coast. Upon returning to Victoria, Anna quickly found herself working under inspired Chef George Szasz at his new restaurant Stage and then at Paprika Bistro, where under new ownership she assumed creative control of the kitchen. As Chef at Paprika, Anna has continued developing her unique approach to food, fusing her professional experience with her family’s honest and generous approach to ingredients and food sharing. Anna stays connected to her roots through her family’s business, Victoria Spirits, where she works as the Culinary Consultant and splashes great food with great gin.