From muskox wraps to fish tacos, Inuvik restaurants attract locals and tourists alike

In the heart of the western Arctic, restaurants are offering up local flavours to community members and tourists alike.

In the heart of the western Arctic, restaurants are offering up local flavours to community members and tourists alike.

Mamaqtuq, meaning "delicious" in Inuvialuktun, was recently opened by the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation in Inuvik, N.W.T. Along with fried chicken, salads and strip loin, Head Chef Brendan Vogt plans to add wild game and other locally sourced foods to the menu.

"I want all the food to look just as good as our namesake," he said.

A country food processing plant, also operated by the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, opened in town last year. There, wild game such as moose, beaver and muskox supplied by hunters and trappers is processed and packaged. Vogt also wants to take advantage of the hydroponic greenhouse in Inuvik, which grows leafy greens year-round.

"We had muskox lettuce wraps over the weekend and it really took off so I feel like the people really want to have wild game," he said.

Vogt, who is Inuvialuit and Gwich'in, said he has been cooking for 15 years starting with home economics class. He said one of his first jobs was at Le Frolic, a since-closed French restaurant in Yellowknife.

Vogt said he hasn't always had the opportunity to work with wild game in the past. He said he's passionate about using local foods, as they're sustainable, fresh, provide jobs and get people out on the land learning traditional knowledge.