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乌鸦传媒檙e driven by their shared passion for supporting the industry that has played such a key role in their lives.
乌鸦传媒淜elowna is a chef乌鸦传媒檚 dream; everything is grown local here, and we have incredible talent in the city,乌鸦传媒� Quinn says, reflecting on the unique opportunities Kelowna乌鸦传媒檚 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, 乌鸦传媒淲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, 乌鸦传媒楾here has to be something different we can do to support this.乌鸦传媒櫸谘淮綕 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乌鸦传媒攆rom hostess at the Old Spaghetti Factory to managing a bakery. She and John originally conceptualized the hub while rediscovering Kelowna乌鸦传媒檚 vibrant food scene upon their return. 乌鸦传媒淲hat surprised me the most was how welcoming the community is. Everyone乌鸦传媒檚 willing to collaborate and showcase each other乌鸦传媒檚 businesses,乌鸦传媒� 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. 乌鸦传媒淲e don乌鸦传媒檛 claim to have all the answers, but together, let乌鸦传媒檚 come up with solutions,乌鸦传媒� 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乌鸦传媒檚 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乌鸦传媒檚 top eateries has transformed into a dynamic platform hosting seasonal events, mystery food tours and community-focused initiatives. 乌鸦传媒淚t fully surpassed my expectations. We started with culinary tours, and now we have these amazing community events,乌鸦传媒� Quinn says.
As for the future, Quinn乌鸦传媒檚 vision for the hub is clear: 乌鸦传媒淚 want Kelowna Foodie Hub to help people get out of their comfort zone and explore local restaurants.乌鸦传媒� Her aspirations also include expanding the hub乌鸦传媒檚 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. 乌鸦传媒淣ever give up,乌鸦传媒� John says. 乌鸦传媒淲e乌鸦传媒檙e here to help enrich your business, and you don乌鸦传媒檛 have to do it alone.乌鸦传媒�
For those interested in joining the Kelowna Foodie Hub or staying updated on upcoming events, visit . Whether you乌鸦传媒檙e a restaurant owner or a lover of great food, the hub offers a place to connect, collaborate and grow.