Ask La Cucina owner Kris Hayman why Rocky Mountaineer Vacations chose to work with him and he’ll give you the straight goods. “It’s because we serve the best darn food around,” he says with a laugh. Hayman can get away with being self-assured. The take out and delivery service located in Quesnel, BC specializing in Italian cuisine has flourished since it opened in 2004. La Cucina’s fare is in constant demand for local Christmas parties, office functions and weddings, and the company’s most recent foray into pre-packaged meals has also been a huge success.

This healthy adaptability led to a thriving relationship with Rocky Mountaineer Vacations. When the Rocky Mountaineer travelling on the Fraser Discovery Route stops in Quesnel, La Cucina is there to deliver snacks, fresh fruit and two hearty meals per passenger and onboard crew member – and they do it all again on the train’s return trip. In 2006, La Cucina prepared 8,000 meals for hungry Rocky Mountaineer guests.

As a local provider, Hayman is proud to offer vacationers fresh fare and provide other practical amenities, such as cutlery, to the trains directly. He says that working with Rocky Mountaineer Vacations has been inspirational – encouraging him to expand his menu to more BC product offerings like wild salmon and caribou-inspired dishes. “Innovative thinking for what started out as a little pasta place,” he says.