ABOUT US

becky van drunen 

Becky Van Drunen, Owner

Basil and Bacon began when I was pregnant with my second daughter and wanting to fill my freezer with meals to make things a little easier in the coming weeks. I had a toddler at the time and couldn’t see my feet (because of the, ahem, gigantic baby belly) and thought about how much easier it would be if there was someone to do this for me. I have a background in Holistic Nutrition Coaching, love to cook, meal plan, find new recipes and grocery shop so I thought “Why couldn’t that someone be me?” So here we are, putting meals in your freezer and on your dinner table since 2014.

I am Mommy to two little girls and I value, more than anything, the moments I get to spend with my husband and children. I get the dinner struggle. I LIVE the dinner struggle. I’ve created a way to help you get through it. I want to help you find the extra moments in your life to spend doing the things that matter to you. I want to speed up your meals, so you can slow down.

kira thompson

Kira Thompson, Lead Team Member

I’m Kira. I just recently married the love of my life Carson (who also happens to be Becky's brother) in June of 2017.

I started with Basil and Bacon in 2014. I was helping out with the occasional workshop and my husband and I were having personal meal plans made for us using the Basil and Bacon recipes. (Our personal favourite were the hoisin sloppy joes, which still show up in our regular cooking rotation.) We were young and busy; cooking in our house was virtually unheard of. Basil and bacon helped us to learn to cook and also to be more conscious about the food we were eating. I learned that cooking doesn't have to be stressful or time consuming when you are prepared.

Since then business has exploded and I couldn't be happier about it. I love this business because I love going to work knowing that I am helping people to spend more time with their families and less time worrying about what to put on the table.


julie trembly 

Julie Trembly, Team Member

I am a self-proclaimed crazy cat lady who enjoys indulging in local wines and trying new craft projects with the company of her friends. I have a passion for anything handmade or grown from our own backyard.

I have been inspired by food and cooking since I was a little girl watching the Food Network after school and then helping my mom in the kitchen making dinner for our family each night. These days I enjoy throwing dinner parties and experimenting with all sorts of new ingredients and techniques.

I thrive in a kitchen environment where I can keep everything organized and clean because I'm a bit of a clean freak! I'm so excited to bring families all over, the stress relief of having freshly prepared, healthy meals ready to go at a moments notice!

Darian Kotchorek, Nutrition

I am a Nutrition student at the University of Saskatchewan working towards my Bachelor of Science in Nutrition to become a registered Dietician.

Growing up I was actively involved in sports ranging from Basketball and Fastball, to gymnastics, badminton and currently weightlifting. After experiencing a few health issues, I realized the impact proper food and nutrition related choices could make on my body aiding in results fitness and non-fitness related. This fired my passion to apply to the Nutrition program at the U of S.

Aside from school, I can be found spending time with family and friends, baking, in the gym, researching the latest nutrition trend and eating copious amounts of peanut butter and popcorn.

I am so excited to be a part of a new adventure with Basil and Bacon!

  • "I was so excited to find Basil and Bacon! I attended a workshop at Fionas cafe and was hooked! The meals are healthy, delicious and so easy. My 2 year old gobbles everything up - toddler approved easy meals! Score! No more standing in the kitchen after a long day saying - what should I make for dinner - score!! Having it often cooked in the slow cooker so all I have to do is serve it - hat trick!!! I've attended 2 workshops now and have been so happy with the set up, meals. Everything. It's awesome. Getting the girls together and hosting my own soon!!” - Jennifer

  • "I have been to two workshops now and hosted one more in my home. I love having healthy delicious meals ready to go in my freezer. As a mother of two working full time, these meals have saved my family from countless preservative ridden and fast food options because life gets so busy! Thank you Becky for the amazing meals and recipes. Several have become part of my weekly rotation and I love seeing the new ones you add over time!” - Kaeli

  • "What a great experience with Becky of Basil & Bacon. We had so much fun at our home session! 10 bags of delicious, healthy food to help me get through the September craziness. She was amazingly prepared. Everything went smoothly and quickly and we'll be doing it again for sure. I'm also signed up now for a home delivery, and I can't wait! Thank you SO much, Becky! If you're on the fence at all, just book it. Do it! You won't regret it." - Andrea

  • "I am a busy full time working mom of two and I'm absolutely amazed with how organized and easy this was! I have tried a couple of the meals we made and I'm ecstatic!! It helps me on a daily basis and a little help never hurts to make the days go smoother!!! Dinner hour is the hardest and this makes it so much easier! A must do for a mom feeling like finding that balance is impossible! Thank you @basilandbacon” - Nicole

  • "I went to my first workshop a year ago at Fiona's Cafe and this past week I hosted my 2nd night in my home making it my 5th workshop. I am a single mom with two boys so life gets pretty busy for us and having meals in the freezer ready to go is a life saver. Love they are not full of chemicals, extra salt and preservatives and I don't feel guilty feeding them to my boys! Thanks Becky for the amazing recipes and helping me keep life sane!” - Careyann

  • "Becky's developed a streamlined and simple way of putting the meals together, so that the workshop can also be social and fun. My family has loved every single meal I've brought home. I've now completed three workshops and won't be stopping anytime soon. Such a great small business! Thanks Becky!” - Laura-Shaun

  • "No shopping or chopping and a freezer stocked with healthy and delicious, family-friendly, meals ready to go! I've completed at least half a dozen workshops and am never disappointed!” - Tamara

  • "Becky is amazing. What a lovely evening with friends. So many great meals. The place was spotless when she left. She even takes all the recycling with her. Can't wait to do it again” - Wendy

Follow us on Instagram

Hello You!

Join our mailing list