Aaron Linley graduated from the Stratford Chefs School in 1996. He continued his education working at Rundles Restaurant in Stratford, eventually rising to the position of sous chef. During this time, Aaron also became an instructor with the Stratford Chefs School.

Wanting to experience some different kitchens, Aaron went on to work at Scaramouche in Toronto, became the sous chef at Maple in Halifax and then the head chef at Le Nouveau Parigo in Toronto. At this time, Aaron and his wife Bronwyn, also a graduate of the Stratford Chefs School, decided to move back to Stratford to open Bijou Restaurant in 2001.

Bijou has a strong commitment to continuing the education of young chefs by hiring students of the Chefs School and also to supporting the community through small producers and purveyors.