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鈥檙e driven by their shared passion for supporting the industry that has played such a key role in their lives.
鈥�91大黄鸭 is a chef鈥檚 dream; everything is grown local here, and we have incredible talent in the city,鈥� Quinn says, reflecting on the unique opportunities 91大黄鸭鈥檚 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 91大黄鸭 Foodie Hub. John recalls, 鈥淲e saw firsthand the effects of the pandemic on the industry. When we moved to 91大黄鸭, I woke up one morning and said to my wife, 鈥楾here has to be something different we can do to support this.鈥欌�� This realization led to the creation of BC Food Tours, which eventually expanded into the broader 91大黄鸭 Foodie Hub.
Quinn, who was born and raised in 91大黄鸭, brings extensive experience to the table, having worked in various restaurant roles鈥攆rom hostess at the Old Spaghetti Factory to managing a bakery. She and John originally conceptualized the hub while rediscovering 91大黄鸭鈥檚 vibrant food scene upon their return. 鈥淲hat surprised me the most was how welcoming the community is. Everyone鈥檚 willing to collaborate and showcase each other鈥檚 businesses,鈥� she says.
The 91大黄鸭 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. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 claim to have all the answers, but together, let鈥檚 come up with solutions,鈥� 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鈥檚 rich culinary landscape.
Over time, the 91大黄鸭 Foodie Hub has evolved beyond its original culinary tours. What began as a way to guide locals and tourists through 91大黄鸭鈥檚 top eateries has transformed into a dynamic platform hosting seasonal events, mystery food tours and community-focused initiatives. 鈥淚t fully surpassed my expectations. We started with culinary tours, and now we have these amazing community events,鈥� Quinn says.
As for the future, Quinn鈥檚 vision for the hub is clear: 鈥淚 want 91大黄鸭 Foodie Hub to help people get out of their comfort zone and explore local restaurants.鈥� Her aspirations also include expanding the hub鈥檚 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 91大黄鸭 Foodie Hub remains a hub committed to supporting local restaurants. 鈥淣ever give up,鈥� John says. 鈥淲e鈥檙e here to help enrich your business, and you don鈥檛 have to do it alone.鈥�
For those interested in joining the 91大黄鸭 Foodie Hub or staying updated on upcoming events, visit . Whether you鈥檙e a restaurant owner or a lover of great food, the hub offers a place to connect, collaborate and grow.