Growing up in Kelowna with a family that was keen on development, Quinn Perks knew she would one day return home to start a company of her own.
Her dad once owned the “Cats’ Cafe,” located at 210 Lawrence Ave. where Humo Izakaya is now.
After working in the Okanagan’s hospitality industry, Perks left Kelowna several years ago to live in Ontario. Marrying her husband, John, and starting a family, the happy couple decided to look west for what was next. Soon John was offered a job at a college in the Okanagan, in his field of tourism.
“We were back in Kelowna and John woke up at 3 a.m. and looked at me and said, ‘Quinn, I know what we are going to do, we are going to start a walking food tour company,’” Perks says.
That was the spark that led to BC Food Tours, just a little over a month ago.
The pair then hit the pavement to map out different walking tours in Kelowna’s downtown. Perks, who’s spent years working in restaurants, knew it was important to forge relationships with the businesses and chefs at the locations they wished to have on the tours.
BC Food Tours currently has five different tours to choose from, including a foodie tour, sunset sips, brunch tour, private tour and a taste of the nation’s fine dining tour.
“Tours can include live cooking demos, meet-and-greets with executive chef, as well as fascinating tales of Kelowna’s history, from its early settlement to its modern-day culinary renaissance told by our guides,” Perks says.
But BC Food Tours wants to be much more than just a tour company; the aim is to build a community within the restaurant and hospitality industry.
“We want to help create the culinary experience in Kelowna and make it a centre known for its food and chefs,” John says.
Feedback on Perks’ concept has been positive they both say.
This has led to BC Food Tours to start up events, with the first being the Strawberry & Champagne Festival on July 5 and 6, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Innovation Centre. A portion of the tickets as well as a silent auction during the event proceeds will all be going to World Children’s Day, founded by Daniel Germain, creator of Breakfast Club of Canada, a Canadian charity that promotes and assists the establishment and maintenance of school breakfast programs across the country.
Then on July 21, American pastry chef Anna Olson will be in Kelowna for a private cooking class at LakeHouse Kitchens followed by a tea party at the Delta Grand, which will include a band on a floating dock in the lagoon.
If you go:
• BC Food Tours will have a ticketing booth in the Delta Grand Hotel and an office at the Innovation Centre.
• Find a schedule of events and more tour information at bcfoodtours.com
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