John Perks grew up in the food and hospitality industry, watching his father work tirelessly through holidays and special events as he welcomed the community to his restaurants.
After his father sold the restaurants, John carried forward the lessons learned. Alongside his wife, Quinn, they co-founded the , a community initiative designed to strengthen the local food and hospitality industry through collaboration, advocacy and innovative solutions. Together, they香蕉视频直播檙e driven by their shared passion for supporting the industry that has played such a key role in their lives.
香蕉视频直播淜elowna is a chef香蕉视频直播檚 dream; everything is grown local here, and we have incredible talent in the city,香蕉视频直播� Quinn says, reflecting on the unique opportunities Kelowna香蕉视频直播檚 culinary scene provides.
With tied to hospitality and tourism, the pandemic and rising inflation have heightened challenges for local restaurants. This sparked the inspiration for the Kelowna Foodie Hub. John recalls, 香蕉视频直播淲e saw firsthand the effects of the pandemic on the industry. When we moved to Kelowna, I woke up one morning and said to my wife, 香蕉视频直播楾here has to be something different we can do to support this.香蕉视频直播櫹憬妒悠抵辈 This realization led to the creation of BC Food Tours, which eventually expanded into the broader Kelowna Foodie Hub.
Quinn, who was born and raised in Kelowna, brings extensive experience to the table, having worked in various restaurant roles香蕉视频直播攆rom hostess at the Old Spaghetti Factory to managing a bakery. She and John originally conceptualized the hub while rediscovering Kelowna香蕉视频直播檚 vibrant food scene upon their return. 香蕉视频直播淲hat surprised me the most was how welcoming the community is. Everyone香蕉视频直播檚 willing to collaborate and showcase each other香蕉视频直播檚 businesses,香蕉视频直播� she says.
The Kelowna Foodie Hub fosters this collaborative spirit by bringing together local restaurant owners, wineries, marketing agencies, and hotels to develop solutions that benefit the entire community. 香蕉视频直播淲e don香蕉视频直播檛 claim to have all the answers, but together, let香蕉视频直播檚 come up with solutions,香蕉视频直播� John explains.
The hub offers free memberships to local businesses, providing access to essential resources like social media support, marketing assistance, and event coordination. In addition to supporting local businesses, the hub organizes community events such as the and Ros茅 All Day, celebrating Okanagan香蕉视频直播檚 rich culinary landscape.
Over time, the Kelowna Foodie Hub has evolved beyond its original culinary tours. What began as a way to guide locals and tourists through Kelowna香蕉视频直播檚 top eateries has transformed into a dynamic platform hosting seasonal events, mystery food tours and community-focused initiatives. 香蕉视频直播淚t fully surpassed my expectations. We started with culinary tours, and now we have these amazing community events,香蕉视频直播� Quinn says.
As for the future, Quinn香蕉视频直播檚 vision for the hub is clear: 香蕉视频直播淚 want Kelowna Foodie Hub to help people get out of their comfort zone and explore local restaurants.香蕉视频直播� Her aspirations also include expanding the hub香蕉视频直播檚 reach throughout the Okanagan and launching a foundation to support local chefs and restaurants through grants.
Despite the challenges of running a business in a post-pandemic economy, the Kelowna Foodie Hub remains a hub committed to supporting local restaurants. 香蕉视频直播淣ever give up,香蕉视频直播� John says. 香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e here to help enrich your business, and you don香蕉视频直播檛 have to do it alone.香蕉视频直播�
For those interested in joining the Kelowna Foodie Hub or staying updated on upcoming events, visit . Whether you香蕉视频直播檙e a restaurant owner or a lover of great food, the hub offers a place to connect, collaborate and grow.