Dez Loreen
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Jan 16/06) - Cooking is something that Brad Olynyk has been doing for quite some time.

Olynyk started off in the kitchen when he was 17 years old.

"I was a short-order cook," said Olynyk of his beginning.

Working in the kitchen was something that he wanted to pursue, so he attended a certified cooking college in his hometown of Saskatoon, Sask.

Brad made the move to the North with his wife Holly in October 2001. It was in Inuvik that Holly noticed a demand for catering services.

"At first, we started off with just light plates for small functions," said Olynyk.

After the duo had started the company Delta Sun Services, they expanded their operations and rented kitchen space from Ingamo Hall.

"We used their kitchen for the business. It was nice," said Olynyk.

In 2003, Delta Sun Services took a contract from the Town of Inuvik to run the concession in the recreation complex.

"We still have that contract and it was just renewed for another three years," said Olynyk.

With business booming for the couple, an opportunity to expand came knocking at the door once again.

Denis Savoie, long-time owner of To-go's restaurant in downtown Inuvik, was leaving the business and looking for someone to take over his location.

"He approached us in August of 2005, and we worked it out from there."

Olynyk and his wife took over operations on Sept. 7 and things have been going very well.

"We re-decorated the place, which was all Holly. She's the designer and I helped paint," said Olynyk.

The restaurant is the perfect place to plant their roots, said Olynyk.

"I'm happy. She's happy."

Under the new management, the name of the restaurant was also changed to the Sunburst Bistro and a few new staff members were brought in as well.

"We used the staff from our catering company," said Olynyk.

Now open seven days a week, the Sunburst Bistro is fully licensed and has nightly specials offered for hungry residents of Inuvik.

"One of the favourites is our prime rib," said Olynyk.

The restaurant is the only eatery in town that is 100 per cent owned by Gwich'in, said Olynyk. Olynyk has plans for this new location as well.

"I want to expand it out, so we can fit more people in here."