Order’s up! Faro, Yukon, man pursuing dream of running his own eatery | CBC News
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If you grill it, they will come. That’s the idea behind Faro, Yukon, resident Ryan Stewart’s business, The Faro Pit.
Stewart said he worked in the hospitality industry off and on for decades in Ontario until “falling out of love with it” and deciding to move to Faro.
He said he worked different jobs around town, but his passion for cooking always stuck in the back of his mind.
“I said, ‘How could I love cooking and not make it as brutal a job as it used to be?'” Stewart said.
That question led Stewart to buying a food truck two years ago. From his truck he’d serve “diner-style meals” including burgers, poutine, ribs, and fish and chips.
The idea was to operate the eatery as a seasonal part time gig but the community’s appetite and support quickly changed that plan.
“From day one I had a lineup bigger than I could take,” he said. “People seem to enjoy it so I’ve been able to expand and I couldn’t be more exited.”
Stewart has now moved his business from his food truck to a kitchen inside of the town’s hockey arena. He said with more space and brand new appliances, he’ll be able to serve more people in a more accessible environment.
Stewart said he’s now trying to figure out what to do with his food truck. He said he’d like to eventually get an apprentice to train so that he could then let them run the food truck.
“I would love to be able to send it off into the communities,” Stewart said. “I would love to be able to go off in Ross River in particular. They don’t have a restaurant right now that I’m aware of and I could see that being a great option.”
Last Thursday, Stewart along with his 10-year-old son Oliver, were at the new space inspecting the new equipment, and putting utensils and kitchen accessories away.
Oliver said it makes him “proud, and happy” to see his father pursue his dream. Especially since the dream includes “perfectly salted fries.”
Harold “Tiny” Meers also said he’s proud of Stewart. He said his venture is welcome in a town like Faro.
“The food is fantastic and it’s convenient,” Meers said. “We definitely need something in town that just brings people out and brings people together.”
“People are going to support him. We want to help him do it. Live the dream.”
The Faro Pit is now the town’s second restaurant.