A First Nation couple hailing from Whitefish River First Nation has opened Espanola’s very first Indigenous-Canadian restaurant called Morningstar Catering.
Leon and Nala Morningstar opened the new 60-seat restaurant in Espanola’s downtown earlier this week offering a variety of First Nation and Canadian cuisine.
Nala says they have run a food truck on the pow wow trail and were able to use those revenues as well as their RHT settlement funds to open the new business, creating 11 new jobs in the process.
She also is the cook in the family having obtained her culinary skills from College Boreal and her Business Administration from CTS.
Nalas says she and her husband come from a strong family background where she has been gifted family recipes, shh, the bread is a secret, from grandmas, aunties and others, so the restaurant will also have a bakery.
“Fresh Indigenous and Canadian homestyle dishes, made from scratch, that is what we offer, we have hot meals ready to go for the person on the move, or our grab and go fridge, or come on in, sit down and enjoy.
She says they can also cater events for up to 250 people adding the cuisine will include Indigenous foods such as bison and elk, and a variety of different tastes to suit any palate.
Nala says the wild meats come in from Owen Sound and go through a rigorous inspection process by both health units in both districts before it is approved for delivery to Espanola.
“That’s why chef specials will truly be special,” she adds.
They are already known for their culinary skills, for example, they catered a gathering at Espanola High School with 19 turkeys and 15 hams and all the fixings for a special dinner some time ago.
Anyone interested in having a working meeting at the restaurant are also invited to call them for a private booking, especially in the evenings and/or weekends.
There is plenty of room for expansion and there will also soon be a bakery, mmm, scones and fresh bread, on site.
Nala adds they also received a $10,000 anonymous donation for the Nadamooshin: A Meal With Heart Program to provide free meals for students.
She adds they would also love to mention Cindy Ominika who taught her a lot in the kitchen!
The business is in the process of designing a website but can be reached by phone at 1-249-878-4670.
