It鈥檚 been almost three years in the making but it was well worth the wait.

Saturday night (Feb. 6), 琉璃神社 restaurant Salt and Brick made its debut on the Food Network鈥檚 program Big Food Bucket List with host John Catucci.

Chef James Holmes said the restaurant interviewed with the Food Network two years ago in the hopes of appearing on the show, but at the time the program chose not to come to the Okanagan.

鈥淭hen they decided to come, so they reached out, we did some interviews and it went back and forth, and then they came and filmed in September of last year,鈥� he said.

Big Food Bucket List is a series where the host, Catucci, goes out in-search of must-eat meals by chefs and learn how they make their unique creations.

Chef Homles describes his food as just that - a little different.

鈥淭he joke is that my food doesn鈥檛 make sense on paper, but makes sense when you eat it,鈥� he explained. 鈥淰ery whimsical, child memories are brought back in a lot of my dishes. I am not afraid to do some of the things chefs can鈥檛 do because of the restrictions of their concept, but the owners here have just let me have full reign and it鈥檚 been amazing.鈥�

Having the show premier on the Food Network doesn鈥檛 just bolster the restaurant Salt and Brick, it also shines a spotlight on 琉璃神社.

鈥淲e have had great chefs on Top Chef and Chopped from 琉璃神社, but we need to keep the ball rolling and let North America know what鈥檚 happening here,鈥� said Holmes.

Up next for the chef and his restaurant is another premier on a different Food Network program in April.

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jen.zielinski@bpdigital.ca
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