Two business owners in Bainbridge are bringing a taste of Asian and Haitian cuisine to the area, offering a unique dining experience for the community. Ritho Jean Louis, manager and owner of Ritho Caribbean Spot, shares his story of cooking for his sisters since he was a child and how ingredients like tomatoes, corn, and peanuts brought him to Bainbridge during harvest seasons. He noticed a lack of food that resembled his home cuisine, prompting him to open his own restaurant.
On the other hand, Christine Vancamp, owner of Ono Kine Local Grindz, took a leap of faith by opening an Asian Fusion restaurant at the Bainbridge Marina. She grew up eating Korean dishes like Shoyu chicken, Kalbi, and lumpia, inspired by her grandparents who left Korea for Hawaii in the 1920s. Vancamp cooks alongside her husband and is excited to share her heritage through food with the Bainbridge community.
Both Louis and Vancamp are introducing the locals to dishes that are not typical in the traditional Southern cooking scene. Louis plans to host a corn festival on May 18, where members of the Haitian and Latino community will bring their own twist to a southern tradition. The diversity in cuisine not only offers a unique dining experience but also creates a link between heritage, uniqueness, and progression in a town where racial and ethnic diversity has been less common. By bringing their culinary traditions to Bainbridge, both business owners hope to give the community a taste of the comfort food they grew up on.