Meet Our Team

Tara and Stephen’s story began in 1995 in Victoria, BC, where they were both wrapping up degrees at UVic while working at Camille’s restaurant. They hit it off, got married in 2000, and now have two kids, Maya and Jamie. In 2009, they took on the challenge of running the Mahle House and haven’t looked back.

Stephen is our Jack of All Trades, working with the kitchen and service team to ensure all is attended to. He's Red Seal certified and a certified Sommelier from the International Sommelier Guild. Titles aside, Stephen’s been everywhere in the restaurant world: server, wine guy, line cook, manager, executive chef, director of operations, dishwasher, grease trap cleaner... he's truly done it all. Stephen's our problem-solver, and – often to his dismay – the first one we call when something goes sideways.

Tara's the Mahle House’s Restaurant Manager and Wine Director. She grew up in the restaurant industry – a true lifer – and it was her mother and uncle (Maureen Loucks and Delbert Horrocks) who opened the Mahle House back in 1983. Tara started her restaurant journey in her mother’s kitchen washing dishes before learning the front of house operations and developing a deep passion for wine under her uncle Delbert. She mastered her craft in some of Victoria’s top restaurants and hotels before returning to the Mahle House and taking over with her husband Stephen. Her latest passions are elevating Mahle Houses bar program and sourcing new and exciting wines while maintaining a community minded culture that her mother and uncle started over 40 years ago.

Together, Tara and Stephen have built a team that’s as passionate about great food and wine as they are. Serving an elevated culinary experience with a professional yet warm service they look forward to welcoming you to the Mahle House.

The dynamic duo of Craig and Lindsey bring a solid 40 years of combined restaurant industry experience to the table at the Mahle House, and have become key figures in making the restaurant what it is today.

Now married for five years, they originally met working in a restaurant, which pretty much set the stage for their professional journey together. They’re all about creating a welcoming atmosphere and ensuring everyone who walks into the Mahle House feels like they're part of the family.

Craig is the Dining Room Manager at the Mahle House. He's seasoned in both the kitchen and front of house, always full of new ideas to improve the dining experience.

Lindsey is our Social Media Manager and Lead Server. She's an avid food tester, ensuring the ideas our chefs dream up is top-notch before it ever hits a guest's plate.

Their career paths have taken Lindsey and Craig both through both corporate chains and small local spots, but their heart lies with the latter. They're big on supporting local businesses, making it a point to shop locally both personally and professionally.

Well-rounded with experience in management, serving, and bartending, these two know their way around a restaurant. They both pride themselves on making guests feel at home with their approachable – and hilarious – demeanour.

Outside of work, Lindsey and Craig both find joy in spending time with their daughter and their wiener dog, as well as cooking together and exploring a love for food.

Back home in BC after years abroad, Julian brings a world of experience to the Mahle House kitchen. Trained in Michelin-starred restaurants across London, Melbourne, and Sydney, he's worked in some of the most demanding kitchens in the industry—think The Fat Duck and Dinner by Heston Blumenthal.

Julian has spent the last few years running large-scale venues, including the opening of Armorica in Sydney. He thrives on the intensity of the kitchen, ensuring every dish that leaves the pass is as flawless as it is flavorful.

At heart, he's all about precision, creativity, and pushing culinary boundaries while keeping the essence of great hospitality alive. Having trained under some of the best, he knows that exceptional food isn’t just about technique—it’s about experience, storytelling, and making guests feel something special.

Outside the kitchen, Julian keeps his competitive edge sharp with squash matches and long trail runs, always chasing that next challenge—whether it’s a perfect dish or the perfect route through the backcountry. He’s big on teamwork, pushing himself and others to be better every day.