A Kelowna chef known for private dining and catering is taking the next step in his culinary journey, opening a new Italian pasta bar in the city.

Andrew Toncini, founder of Toncini Modern Italian, is preparing to welcome guests into a new brick-and-mortar space on Kirschner Road, offering freshly made pasta and a more casual, everyday dining experience.

Toncini, originally from Italy’s Marche region, launched his business in 2023 after working in restaurants across the Okanagan.

His offerings have since grown from private chef services into catering, meal kits and events.

Now, the new pasta bar marks a major evolution.

“We are here in our new pasta bar where you will be able to find, on a daily basis, pasta freshly made and served directly here in Kelowna,” Toncini said.

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The idea, he said, is to make authentic Italian food more accessible.

“It was something to give on a more approachable way on a daily basis for guests to just enjoy pasta on the go,” he said, adding that customers will also be able to purchase fresh pasta and sauces to take home.

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Toncini’s business has steadily built a following through personalized experiences, from in-home dining to catering large events.

That same philosophy is carrying into the new space, where transparency and connection are key.

“Everything is on view for people to see what goes behind what they find in the fridges and freezers, it’s made fresh from scratch every day,” Toncini said.

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The space, which has been under renovation for several months, will also include patio seating and plans for community-focused events.

 "We want to also offer cooking classes and fun events. We just wanna make it fun for the community and just have great, amazing Italian food,” said co-owner Steffie Pellerin.

The pasta bar is currently in a soft opening phase for retail, with a full grand opening expected in mid-May.

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