Every meal carries a story.
For Chef Ohitika, cooking is more than a profession — it is an act of service. Every customer becomes part of the community, and every donated meal helps build a future where compassion is shared one plate at a time.
From survival to service.
Growing up, Chef Ohitika experienced homelessness as a young teenager. At just 13, hunger became a daily reality and taught him that a warm meal can mean hope, safety, and the knowledge that someone cares. Determined to create a different future, he immersed himself in professional kitchens — first through restaurant consulting in Kingston, Ontario, improving operations and kitchen systems, then in Toronto’s after-hours hospitality scene, where he ran fast-paced, high-volume kitchens with consistency, efficiency, and pride.
Through Big Boi Fry-Bread, Chef Ohitika blends Indigenous-inspired comfort food with modern street-food culture. Fry bread, powwow tacos, Three Sisters-inspired dishes, hearty chili, loaded fries, and other comforting meals welcome a diverse urban audience into Indigenous flavours.
Inspired by his lived experience with hunger, Chef Ohitika founded Take a Meal Leave a Meal. Customers can purchase meals in advance for people facing food insecurity, transforming every donation into an act of kindness and ensuring that no one has to face the isolation he once knew.
Through Big Boi Fry-Bread, Chef Ohitika continues to honour Indigenous traditions while creating new opportunities, strengthening community connections, and demonstrating that food can nourish not only the body, but also culture, belonging, and hope.