Antoinette GreenOliph is a compelling keynote speaker, a knowledgeable mentor for aspiring and start-up entrepreneurs, and a thoughtful presenter at anti-racism and social justice gatherings. With her ability to weave captivating narratives and encourage thought-provoking discussions, she shares her own life experiences candidly, inspiring audiences with the charm of a seasoned teller of stories.
Nourishing Communities: A life in the arts, food and community building
Antoinette GreenOliph stands out as a community-engaged entrepreneur and prominent business leader who regularly brings diverse communities together through thoughtful dialogue.
Her graceful style combined with her ability to remain genuine, reveals her vulnerability while radiating a confidence forged through overcoming her life’s challenges.
A Life in Business
From humble beginnings growing up on the island of Tobago, to immigrating to Canada with her mother, Ruby, and her sister, to raising her own children in Toronto before moving to Manitoba and starting her first restaurant and putting the small town of Saint Pierre Jolys on Canada’s culinary map, when La Table de bonnes soeurs was recognized in Ann Hardy’s iconic Where to Eat in Canada in both 2004 and 2005 – Antoinette has grown through many challenges.
In 2005 the call of the North brought her to Dawson City, Yukon, as executive chef of the Aurora Inn. Recognizing she was a better boss than employee, she opened her own restaurant, Antoinette’s, a year later. In 2008, she moved to Whitehorse, the Yukon’s capital city, in order to build a sustainable year-round restaurant. In 2013 she was featured twice on the Food Network’s You Gotta Eat Here, and Antoinette’s was once again named the best restaurant in Whitehorse by Ann Hardy’s Where to Eat in Canada in 2018.
She sold her restaurant in early 2021, at the height of the COVID pandemic. She now offers an occasional fine dining Chef’s Table for private groups up to 8 guests, while running a part-time AirBnB, and building a career as a speaker.
A Life in the Arts
All through her life, Antoinette’s other love, the theatre, provided an occasional outlet for her deeply creative energy.
In recent years, Antoinette developed an autobiographical storytelling
series that she presented at her restaurant in Whitehorse, called Anto’s
Real Stories. On the 50th anniversary of immigrating to Canada, this series culminated in a 50-course celebration of realness, strength and what she calls sticktoitness.
This passion project led to a performance at the 2020 Pivot Theatre Festival, Stories from the Mango Stump. Then she got a role in the award-winning, post-apocalyptic feature film, Polaris (2022) as a snowmobile-driving, body-disposing, hard-core Morad, now streaming on Crave. Then in 2023, she was the lead in David Lindsay-Abaire ‘s play Ripcord, for a 3-week run in Whitehorse.
An indelible voice
A lifetime in the arts, in business, as a community builder has allowed Antoinette to hone an indelible voice that brings clarity and understanding to complex social issues of our time.
As a speaker and workshop facilitator Antoinette GreenOliph seeks to illuminate, to clarify, to challenge and to make space for deep conversation and reflection.
“Sticktoitness sometimes does get rewarded! I am thrilled to be recognized for the impact my restaurant has not only on Whitehorse as a community, but as part of the Yukon’s tourism industry.”
Antoinette GreenOliph, on being awarded the Bravo Awards by the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce in 2019
Consider Antoinette GreenOliph for your next conference, event or community gathering