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Kristian Eligh

@chefeligh

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👨‍🍳 | Chef @marilenacafe
📍 | Victoria, BC 🇨🇦
Family, Friends, Food and Travel

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At Marilena, every detail is part of the experience.

From the energy of our open kitchen to the precision of our wine and bar teams, each moment comes together with purpose. Our team takes centre stage, bringing culinary artistry and genuine hospitality to life as every dish makes its way to the table.

An experience shaped by the people behind it, and brought to life for every guest.

Let Chef and his team take care of you from the first bite to the last sip.

#MarilenaVictoria

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Sometimes you have to splash out and celebrate - and there’s no nicer spot for food lovers like us than a seat at the chef’s table at Marilena Cafe + Raw Bar, enjoying all of the action in their killer kitchen. So much tasty seafood - from the crispy lobster tacos, aburi Marilena roll and soba noodle starter with tempura prawns, to caramelized leek agnolotti with Dungeness crab and miso glazed sablefish, it was a west coast feast for the ages. Gorgeous Guajana Blackberry Sphere with blackberry sorbet finale, too. Spoiled with treats and great conversation. We’ve had 40 years of fun and more to come! #happyanniversary❤️ #dininginvictoria #partyoftwo #seafoodlovers #eatlocal

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Precision in every detail.

Executive Chef Kristian Eligh brings Yellowfin Tuna Tartare to life, layered with ginger dressing, avocado and Asian pear, and finished with pine nuts and crisp taro chips.

Bright, balanced and distinctly Marilena.

#marilenavictoria #yellowfintuna #victoriaeats #yyjeats #restaurantreels

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From day one to today.

Our Grilled Octopus has been part of the Marilena menu since we opened our doors. Follow one of our original signature dishes from start to finish as every element comes together with precision and attention to detail.

Finished with n’duja sofrito and braised gigante beans, it’s a dish that continues to reflect the flavours and craftsmanship at the heart of our kitchen.

#marilenavictoria #victoriaeats #howitsmade #coastalcuisine #grilledoctopus

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For Executive Chef Kristian Eligh, every dish begins with the ingredients, the season, and the connection to Vancouver Island’s land and sea.

After cooking in some of North America’s most acclaimed kitchens, Chef Kristian returned home to Victoria with a vision: to create a restaurant that celebrates the extraordinary bounty of British Columbia through intentional cooking, genuine hospitality, and a deep respect for the people behind every ingredient.

Hear him share the philosophy behind Marilena and what continues to inspire him every day.

#marilenavictoria #victoriaeats #travelerschoice #travelvictoria #meetourteam

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Cooked over Japanese charcoal, our Charcoal Grilled Spring Salmon from @pacificprowler celebrates the beauty of seasonality and technique.

Follow Executive Chef Kristian Eligh from grill to plate as he prepares one of the newest additions to the menu, accompanied by ginger mushrooms, barley, asparagus, and soy emulsion.

Thoughtfully composed and rooted in the finest ingredients of the season.

#MarilenaVictoria #springsalmon #travelerschoice #travelvictoria #victoriaeats

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VISA Infinite Dining Experience at @marilenacafe

Three celebrated chefs. One unforgettable evening on the coast.

Executive Chef Kristian Eligh @chefeligh Culinary Director Coulson Armstrong @coulsoncooks of @primeseafoodpalace
and Culinary Director Alex Kim @chef_alexk of @glowbalgroup & @fivesailsvancouver

A one-night-only Collaborative Coastal Tasting Experience
at Marilena Cafe.

An evening inspired by the season, featuring exceptional seafood, thoughtfully paired wines and a collaborative multi-course menu crafted exclusively for this VISA Infinite Dining event.

Full review including the menu and wine & spirit pairings now on MyVanCity.ca

@visaca

@idmg_culinary

@tinhorncreek

@stags_hollow_winery

@martinslanewinery

@tantaluswine

Evolve

@populargrovewinery

@stillheaddistillery

@hornitostequila

@chartreuse_diffusion

@sherrywinesjerez

#victoria #visainfinite #sponsoredpost

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With a little extra foie in the freezer, and maybe knowing it might not sell great I may bring out an old school buttered parfait. Knowledge is something no one can own so should be shared

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Eggplant, playing psp all night (prime seafood palace). #burnt

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Our very own Executive Chef Kristian Eligh welcomes Culinary Director Coulson Armstrong of Prime Seafood Palace and Culinary Director Alex Kim of Glowbal Group & Five Sails for an exclusive one-night-only Collaborative Coastal Tasting Experience at @marilenacafe.

Inspired by the season and the coast, this multi-course dining experience will celebrate exceptional seafood, wine pairings and chef-driven storytelling through a collaborative menu created exclusively for the evening.

Reservations available from 5pm–9pm.
$225 per guest

Reserve now through our link in bio.

#MarilenaVictoria #VisaInfiniteDiningSeries #VictoriaBC #FineDiningVictoria

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Well the sun has set on my sabbatical time in the sun, and as such, both sadly and excitably, I've been working again.

It's been a long long time since I've had 5-6 months off, and let me tell you if you ever have the time afforded to you, take it! It is lovely.

For my friends, family, associates, peers, homies, etc. that were supportive and encouraging during this time, a heartfelt thank you, you made this time better than great! For those less supportive and derisive, you didn't see the bigger picture and that's ok, this time was never taken with you in mind anyway.

Throughout this time off I moved, road tripped, ate everything and at as many places as possible, drank a little of everything, laughed alot, rode bikes, hiked, saw UFC fights, camped, went home for Christmas, and slept...a lot. The good life.

Getting used to the grindstone again. I'll share my new job another time.

#sabattical #vancouverisland
#chefsdayoff #timeoff eatinganddrinking

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The wait is over… 📸

The Culinaire 2026 photo gallery is now live on our Facebook page!

Relive the evening, spot yourself, and tag your friends as we look back on an incredible night of food and beverage in Victoria.

📸: @milen_kootnikoff

#culinairevictoria #culinaire2026

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