As the winter weather truly settles into the Bowen hills cozy meals at home are on the menu.
New(ish) islander Guillermo Gonzalez started a food delivery service, Food on Bowen, back in November. He currently delivers food from the Bowen Island Pub and Tuscany and is in talks to deliver from a couple of other eateries. But he’s not stopping there. Ultimately Gonzalez wants to expand into delivering groceries and liquor to islanders as well.
“The whole idea…which is my mantra basically is ‘stay safe, stay home, stay cozy, we’ll take care of it,’” says Gonzalez.
Gonzalez, who studied culinary arts in France and has worked in the food industry in Mexico and Whistler, came to Bowen last winter, intending to just stay through the summer before returning to Whistler. Working at the pub during one of the major power outages Gonzalez noted all the takeout orders and asked his co-worker if there was any delivery service on-island.
“I [thought], that’s a business opportunity,” recalls Gonzalez and the idea kept churning in his head. “At one point it was like, maybe I don’t move to Whistler, I just stay here and start my [business].”
“I just had to give it a chance.”
So he did, but Bowen isn’t just a job––the island life also appeals to Gonzalez.
“The island is really nice,” he says. “So quiet. So calm. And I managed to have a small cabin in the woods, which is a dream for me.”
Islanders place their orders through Facebook @foodonbowen or by texting Gonzalez at 236-335-3959 (Facebook is preferred). Within five minutes Gonzalez responds with a price and estimated delivery time. The delivery fees are based on distance from the Cove and range from $5.95 to $13.95.
For now, the only available methods of payment are cash and e-transfer (since cell reception is spotty on-island the card reader isn’t reliable).
The pub delivery hours are Tuesday through Sunday 5 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. Tuscany when it’s open (it’s currently closed until Jan. 29) is delivered Wednesday through Sunday 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. A menu is available online at foodonbowen.com/menu.
