After a year long journey around the world in 2000, acclaimed Chef Rod Butters returned home to BC to share his culinary experiences. Fresco Restaurant opened its doors in June 2001, with Rod at the helm, along with wife & co-proprietor Audrey Surrao. As the proud recipient of the BCRFA 2002 Provincial Restaurateur of the Year – Fine Dining award, it has inspired Chef Proprietor Rod Butters & his team to bring Fresco Restaurant and the Okanagan, to the forefront of the culinary scene in British Columbia. Since then, it has garnered recognition and praise from some of the most discerning critics in North America. Since opening, Fresco Restaurant has been awarded Four Diamonds by CAA/AAA - North America’s most respected lodging & restaurant rating organization, Fresco joins only eleven other restaurants in all of British Columbia.

Rod opened the world famous Wickaninnish Inn Tofino as Chef de Cuisine in 1996. His innovative cuisine and high service standards quickly helped the Inn’s Pointe Restaurant attain the internationally recognized Relais & Chateaux designation. Some career highlights include Toronto’s renowned Scaramouche restaurant, Four Seasons Hotel group, Chateau Whistler Resort opening team and Shangri-la Hotel Group, Hong Kong.

A strong believer of using the freshest, local ingredients in his menus, Rod’s creativity is challenged by the incredible products he finds at his doorstep in the Okanagan. Rod describes it as a Chef’s ultimate playground. Fresh organically grown fruit, vegetables and herbs, free range pork, poultry and game have been here all the time…just waiting for someone like Rod to come along and provide a culinary experience second to none. As is his trademark, the food at Fresco is fresh, exciting and memorable.