Jonathan Chovancek and his wife Lauren Mote have spent the best part of their adult lives working long shifts throughout the Christmas season in the hospitality industry, leaving little room for personal social events.
“One year, we decided to host a Christmas dinner party which our closest friends, who all work in restaurants and hospitality, could actually attend,” Jonathan, 48, explains.
“We set the start time for 1am Christmas morning and put together a nine-course tasting menu so our friends could trickle in after their Christmas Eve shifts for an overnight dinner party to remember, no matter their faith or culture.
“Glorious food and beverages,” were, as Jonathan puts it, where his and Lauren’s love was forged. “We’re total food geeks and had quite different upbringings. I grew up in Vancouver celebrating Christmas with traditional festive dinners, while Lauren, now
