Aki – Bakery Greatness – October

Ever wondered who makes those fabulous morning glory muffins?  It’s Aki!  And she hails all the way from Akita,  Japan.  We are the lucky ones to have her in our café & bakery.  Aki arrived on Salt Spring Island last November and loves being on the island for its beautiful forests & oceans.  This hard working woman absolutely loves making cakes and has decided she would love to stay on Salt Spring forever.   She has been nick named by her co-workers as “Chibi”.

Michael Bagnell – Super Cleaner – September

Although their entire family thought they were crazy, Michael and his wife Helga moved to Salt Spring in the 80’s from Ontario! Michael is an important part of the Rock Salt team as he keeps the place in tip top condition!  In fact, Michael worked at the Rock Salt long before it was ever the Rock Salt but was the famous Rose’s café.  This super fit running man loves nature and has a passion for music, which has been an integral part of his life for many years.  You won’t usually catch him at the restaurant as he is working in the wee hours of the morning but you just might be lucky enough to catch him at Fulford Hall’s Wednesday night-open mic nights.

Linda Herbert – Our Busser & Barista – August

Linda is our only teen barista and we love this girl!  Her life at Rock Salt started upon the insistence of her older sister Carmen who has worked with us for awhile now.  Carmen was sure her sister would be great & she was so right!  Linda’s first shift was some crazy kind of night that Rock Salt has been known to have, so her training was direct & brief , “do what the servers tell you!”.  Since that moment Linda has proven to be fabulous – which is not suprising as she really comes from a fantastic family!  When we are not keeping her busy through the summer she is a super star grade 10 student at GISS who loves soccer & volleyball.  Linda has just started out in the barista station and can already rock a ferry line up!

Lauren Klimek – GapBot Barista – July

We are certain that you have met Lauren as she either already knows you or is so uber friendly that you NOW know her! Lauren is a “committed” dirby girl with a broken hand who still seems to pump out those lattes faster than any other. This tea snob is a well travelled gal who has spent time living all over the world in places like Florida, Hawaii & South America. This self proclaimed glu-tard has a love for ultra spicy hot food and she loves to read so much that you might find her walking to work while reading. We feel blessed to have Lauren opening our doors every morning at 6:30 a.m. and hope you love her too!

Clare Duke – World’s Fastest Breakfast Line Cook - June

Claire is our newest line cook and hails all the way from jolly ole England. Claire made the jump across the pond about 3 years ago to become a snowboard instructor in Whistler. In her time on the slopes Claire has had many brushes with fame, one being Justin Timberlake! Claire started her career in the kitchen at the tender age of 15. Since then she has had the opportunity to work at many restaurants around the world, including spending 10 years as head chef at a Mexican restaurant in the Swiss Alps. Claire rocks it in the kitchen here at the Rock Salt and fits in just famously! When she is not busy cooking up a storm you might find Claire hanging off the side of Mt. Maxwell while pursuing her passion for climbing.