Yellowknife to get taste of oil and vinegar
Aurora & Inukshuk Olive Co. owner hopes to kick-start foodie culture in the city
Emelie Peacock
Northern News Services
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Yellowknifers will soon be able to try over 40 different types of oils and vinegars in a new tasting room opening Saturday.
Mark Bach says all the oils and vinegars sold in his soon-to-be-opened Aurora & Inukshuk Olive Co. are vegan friendly, dairy and GMO free. In the long term, Bach hopes his store can hold workshops and encourage residents, especially children, to eat healthy. - Emelie Peacock/NNSL photo |
A love for the flavour and the health benefits of olive oil and vinegar is what inspired Mark Bach to open Aurora & Inukshuk Olive Co. with his wife Debby.
The part-time Yellowknifers will run the tasting room and specialty food store at 3528 McDonald Dr. in Old Town. It is a location they hope will attract both locals and tourists.
Metal vats are set up along the walls, where visitors can taste flavours such as lavender, black cherry, blackberry-ginger and lemongrass from as far as Australia, Chile, Greece, Italy and Spain.
Bach said most store-bought vinegars have corn or maple syrup added to thicken the product. His products will contain all natural ingredients only.
"All these oils and vinegars they're all vegan, all natural flavouring, no GMOs, none of the bad stuff, it's all pure health," he said.
The store will also carry pastas, flavoured salts, olives and other specialty foods.
Bach is also hoping to add an education component to the new store. He wants to provide customers information about the health benefits and uses of the natural oils and vinegars.
Once the store is up and running, he also hopes to offer classes for adults and children, tasting evenings and ladies nights.
Even though his doors haven't officially opened, Bach said he already has orders for his products. He said he is also encouraged by the interest residents had for his products at Ramble & Ride this summer.
The couple have entrepreneurial experience to back up their new venture. Mark runs an aerospace firm, JAMM Airframe Ltd., which does structural repairs and modifications for Buffalo Airways aircraft.
