The History of Bannock and Where did it come from

by | Jan 27, 2021 | Blog

Sharon Bond is among a growing number of Indigenous entrepreneurs who are taking bannock and turning it into a business. She’s been in business since 2004, cooking, catering and creating, until her dream of opening a real restaurant, featuring “Bannock”  was reality in Sept 2009. Bannock, is the most versatile bread on the planet. Every culture has a fried dough, that’s been made into a sweet or savory meal or snack. When Sharon was researching her business plan back in the early 1999-2000’s, there was not hide nor hair of a bannock restaurant. Although, go to a local pow-wow or gathering on the reserve, and there would be frybread everywhere! One of Sharon’s memories of bannock, date back to the times of going to a friends house after school, and there would be fried bannock on the stove and a pot of rice (best rezzy meal ever).  Her mom, would make the best bread in the whole world, and many times, she would give away all her bread to the neighbors. Bannock has been around as long as there was a word for it, in nłeʔkepmxcin, the word for bread is seplíl. If there’s a word for it, it existed. Although since time immemorial, this type of bread, was made with Indigenous local ingredients from the earth, such as bitterroot, berries, sunflower root, wild potatoes and wild celery, and sweetened with saskatoon berries or huckleberries.  It was thick sustenance that our people survived on as a source of nourishment. Thanks to the evolution of flour, oil, sweeteners, and cast iron pans, we’ve been creating delicious bannock, baked, fried and grilled....

Best Place to Eat in Merritt BC!

by | Jul 3, 2020 | Blog

If you’re new to Merritt BC, the beautiful Nicola Valley, with history so rich, you will want to stay forever! If you’re looking for food, fresh, fast, casual and fun! Check out Kekuli Cafe Merritt! “Don’t Panic, We Have Bannock!” Their menu is frybread tacos, Venison Melts on Bannock, and also a little Vegetarian mix in there as well! Kekuli Cafe, serves up amazing Organic Coffee & Espresso Drinks! The gourmet Bannock in amazing flavours made in house, like the Saskatoon Bannock, Skor Bannock or the Maple Glaze, is absolutely amazing! Read more by Michelle Bacon, Experience Nicola Valley’s Foodie Blogger!   https://experiencenicolavalley.com/places-eat-merritt-kekuli-cafe/ Come see who has frequented Kekuli Cafe Merritt! Indigenous Actors/Actresses from all over...

Bannock in Merritt BC – Dont Panic, 1st Indigenous Franchise

by | Jul 3, 2020 | Blog

Don’t panic…We have bannock!” If you’re driving along the Coquihalla Highway by Merritt BC, don’t panic… there’s Bannock, downtown Merritt BC. An Indigenous owned Franchise, soon to be popping up across Western Canada. Sharon Bond-Hogg knew she would franchise her business from day one, and now the requests are rolling in from all around British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and as far away as Ontario. She and her husband, Darren, started serving bannock from a concession stand at Westside Daze in Westbank, BC, back in 2005.  Sharon knew they were on to something when customers started lining up for the Indigenous treat that is a light, fluffy, fried dough made from local ingredients with delicious toppings like Saskatoon Berry, cinnamon sugar and maple glaze. “I didn’t start out thinking Kekuli Café would be an Indigenous restaurant,” Sharon said, “but the need and demand was there.” More permanent concession stands at a soccer field in Lake Country and a car wash in Westbank soon followed.  During that time, the couple also found ‘day’ jobs – Sharon at Starbucks and Darren at Tim Horton’s – with the focus of learning all they could about coffee, assembly lines, customer service, corporate standards and product consistency....

Don’t Panic…Kekuli Cafe is Open with Protective Covid Measures

by | Apr 21, 2020 | Blog

During this unthinkable time, Kekuli Cafe remains open, with limited hours. We are open Monday to Friday 10-7, and Saturday & Sundays 10-4pm. Kekuli Cafe is and always has high cleanliness standards. We go above and beyond to ensure the safety of our Kekuli family, guests, and friends. We are happy to serve you, feed you and be there for everyone! Thank you for supporting your local Westbank business. Stay Safe, Be Kind, Be Compassionate. Don’t Panic! You can download our app in the App Store or Android google store. If there is anything you need, please email us for more information. westbank@kekulicafe.com For Merritt Kekuli Cafe email : merritt@kekulicafe.com Kekuli Merritt is Closed Mondays. Open Tuesday to Friday 10-6 and Saturday/Sundays 10-4...

Kekuli Cafe: From a Start-up to a Franchise under the Ownership of an Indigenous Youth

by | Apr 21, 2020 | Blog

Kekuli Cafe opened its first location in Merritt, BC, on August 01, 2014, with a vision to create a successful Indigenous-owned business. The café quickly gained popularity, and the team decided to operate their two cafes in Westbank and Merritt as if they were franchises. To test and create systems that could ensure the success of Kekuli Cafe. In December 2018, Kekuli Cafe sold its successful second business to Elijah Mack-Stirling, an employee with the drive, passion, and heart to own the company. Elijah, a member of the Nuxalk Nation and a long-time resident of Merritt, BC, became the youngest franchise owner of Kekuli Cafe. He had years of experience working in the fast-food industry and graduated from Merritt Secondary School. Elijah’s success as a young Indigenous entrepreneur is inspiring for the youth in his community, his brothers, and his nation. As an Indigenous-owned business, Kekuli Cafe has become a role model for aspiring Indigenous youth entrepreneurs, demonstrating youth can achieve their ambitions and objectives with hard work, dedication, and a strong sense of purpose. The town of Merritt significantly supported Elijah’s first year of business. With his vast dreams and goals, Elijah is making a name for himself and his community in the business world. Kekuli Cafe’s success story is a testament to the perseverance and hard work of Indigenous entrepreneurs who strive to thrive and succeed in today’s world. Kekuli Cafe’s journey from a home-based business to a start-up café to a franchise under Indigenous youth’s ownership inspires all aspiring entrepreneurs. Elijah Mack-Stirling’s success story showcases the power of determination, passion, and community support in achieving one’s...