Meet Nelson. Nelson has lived in Kelowna for six years. He owns Vice & Virtue Brewing Co., a rad and admired brewery in the Kelowna community. 

Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
Port Macquarie Australia, I moved here in 2012.

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My girlfriend Alex, it's been a crazy busy year so any time I get alone with her is priceless.

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Waterfront cafe they have delicious coffee and pastries.

Describe yourself in one word.
Dreamer.

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
South Carolina, I would love to explore the subculture of southern BBQ.

What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Downhill Mountain Biking.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Ah man…. I locked my keys in my car… While it was running… In the line for a car wash… Heavy sigh.

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
My high school food and beverage teacher told me I would never be a chef and I didn't belong in a kitchen. I left high school and started my chefs apprenticeship the next day.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
Having chilli eating competitions with my dad, we would go bite for bite until someone tapped out.

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
Each year I do a volunteer cooking class for the THRIVE – Burn Camp held by the Big White and Kelowna Fire Fighters. Teaching young adult burn survivors how to cook simple delicious meals. Vice and Virtue helped raise thousands of dollars for Santa Tom who was recently injured in a motorcycle accident. Our next community event is at MANifest raising awareness for Mens mental health on October 13th.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
Reduce plastic waste from our ocean.

Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
Hiking the alpine foraging for mushrooms.

Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
Hearing stories of youth overdoses is heart breaking, I would like to see those numbers drop.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
To be able to snowboard in the winter and lay on the beach in the summer makes Kelowna very desirable, and the produce here is second to none.

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1. Ride the biggest roller coaster in the world 
2. Eat at Franklins BBQ
3. Open a fried chicken shop

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I was raised as a vegetarian.

How do people connect with you, personally, through social media?
Stop in to Vice and Virtue for a chat!
Check us out on instagram: @nelsonic_d or visit our website: www.viceandvirtuebrewing.ca 

What is the name of your business/organization?
Vice & Virtue Brewing Co. 

Why did you get into/start this business?
As a chef I wanted to elevate the casual food scene in Kelowna and to build my own creative space to share my obsession with food. A few friends of mine had a great idea to open a craft brewery and I was lucky enough to be invited into the group.

What is the goal of your business?
To create the best food and beer combinations in all the lands.

What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
Worrying about things I can't change.

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I wouldn't change anything, nothing is perfect its all about the process.

What do you always find yourself saying?
I'm hungry.

Tell us your best piece of life advice.
Dreams don't work unless you do too.

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Sean Brock – he is one of my favourite chefs.

Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Environmental impact is reduced, and local businesses create character.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Moving to Kelowna from Australia in 2012 starting from nothing to being a co-founder of Vice and Virtue.

Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Nick Rastas – he is my right hand man, he has worked so hard in the kitchen with me every day. I couldn't have done it without him.

My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Jessie Beans – she is a lady wizard and an awesome tattoo artist.

Some general comments I would like to share are:
Thank you to everyone who has stopped in to eat and drink at the brewery, we are grateful for the opportunity to share our passion for craft beer and food.

We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE.

In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition of the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great. Thank you, Kelowna!