Our Culinary Team
Executive Chef Tim Payne
Coho Restaurant is thrilled to announce the return of Chef Tim Payne as our Executive Chef. With roots in farming communities and grandparents who were farmers, Tim understands that exceptional food begins in the fields, nurtured by dedicated farmers who prioritize quality and sustainable practices.
After spending three years as the Executive Chef and Director of Culinary Gardens at Cowhorn Vineyard and Cowhorn Kitchen + Wine in Southern Oregon, Tim brings a wealth of experience back to Coho, where he previously worked for four years.
A proud alumnus of Le Cordon Bleu’s culinary program in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he graduated at the top of his class, Tim began his culinary journey in Missouri before relocating to the West. His diverse career has included owning a fine dining restaurant in Colorado and managing kitchens in various establishments across the Rocky Mountain and Pacific Northwest regions. Throughout his career, he has emphasized local seasonal ingredients and fine dining experiences, particularly with a focus and passion on wine.
Tim’s belief in the importance of quality food is reflected in his commitment to building strong relationships with local farmers, both on the islands and throughout Oregon and Washington. This connection to the local food system is a cornerstone of his kitchen philosophy, and he looks forward to continuing this at Coho Restaurant.
Outside of the kitchen, Tim enjoys hiking and exploring the outdoors with his fiancé, Janice, who leads our front-of-house team. Together, they share a love for cooking, traveling, and occasionally engaging in friendly competitive card games, where Janice often comes out on top.
At Coho Restaurant, Chef Tim is dedicated to showcasing seasonal ingredients and transforming them into memorable dishes. He believes that fresh ingredients, simple preparations, and proper techniques are key to exceptional cuisine. “What makes food memorable is the combination of flavors and textures that contrast and complement each other,” he states.
Sous Chef Elida Pauley
Elida is a PNW native who has worked in the industry for three decades.
Holding a culinary degree from Aguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, she has spent the last ten years honing her skills as an executive chef at a handful of locally owned restaurants in Whatcom County. With this eclectic collection of experience, she joins the Coho team to return to her roots and passion for creating exciting haute farm-to-table cuisine drawn from the availability of local meats, produce, and dairy on the island to create intricate and beautiful dishes.
When not at the restaurant or one of its many catering events, she spends her time entertaining her four cats and exploring the beautiful landscape with her two husky mixes!
Pastry Chef Jessica Bryan
Chef Jessica’s first culinary-related job came when she was 18, cooking out of a little chuckwagon and over an open fire for a northern Idaho summer camp’s horsemanship program. While attending university in the newly emerging wine country of the Walla Walla valley, she worked at a local bakery and café where she continued to learn new techniques and tips. When she was unable to get a job in her planned career field after graduation, she fell back on the food service industry as a way to pay the bills. But eventually it dawned on her that the culinary world could be her career!
She attended a two-year vegetarian and vegan culinary arts program for some “official” training and went on to positions that included managing a large family retreat center kitchen where she oversaw the production of food for up to 400 people per meal, heading up a private catering team, and serving for several summers as a line cook or “pantry” cook at various San Juan Island restaurants.
In her down time, she has traveled to 11 different countries. Three of her trips involved doing mission work and one was to spend a year in Italy going to school. Locally, she enjoys hiking, beach-combing, and enjoying the beautiful nature of the great PNW. In the evenings, she snuggles up with her cat, Wesley, and escapes into the pages of a good novel.
Janice Anne, Front of House Lead
Susan, Front of House
With nearly 30 years of experience in the food, beverage, and hospitality industry, Janice brings a wealth of knowledge and cultivated service skills. Her expertise is primarily in fine dining, with a strong emphasis on supporting small, family-owned businesses that are primarily chef-driven and that prioritize local, seasonal ingredients through a farm-to-table approach. She has delved into various aspects of the restaurant industry, including management, and has even worked in the kitchen alongside a high-end personal chef. In her free time, Janice enjoys being with her partner, Tim, as well as immersing herself in nature, sipping tea, and practicing meditation. She also crafts and sells small-batch jewelry and accessories featuring freshly picked pressed flowers. Currently, she is on a quest that involves finding the perfect replacement for the soon-to-be discontinued Green Chartreuse, an essential for her favorite cocktail, the Last Word.
Susan is honored to be a part of the Coho team. She has been in the hospitality field for more than 27 years and has worked in every aspect of the industry. She has a natural ability to make you feel welcomed and will always keep you smiling. The Coho Restaurant team is loaded with talent, passion, and the desire to exceed guest expectations. She is looking forward to serving you for dinner.