Two business owners in Bainbridge have come together to offer a unique dining experience for the community. Ritho Jean Louis, owner of Ritho Caribbean Spot, is bringing a taste of Haitian cuisine to the area, while Christine Vancamp, owner of Ono Kine Local Grindz, is introducing Asian flavors to the mix.
Louis grew up cooking for his sisters and was inspired by ingredients like tomatoes, corn, and peanuts. When he noticed a lack of food that resembled his home cuisine in Bainbridge during harvest seasons, he decided to open his own restaurant. Today, he plans to host a corn festival on May 18th where members of the Haitian and Latino community will bring their own twist to a southern tradition.
Vancamp 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 locals to dishes that are not typical in the traditional Southern cooking scene. Their diverse culinary traditions not only offer a unique dining experience but also create 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.
