Mabel Hill Kitchen and Marketplace owner recognized in CBC Future 40

Brownlee grows fruits and vegetables in his own vast garden and incorporates produce of other local producers into his menu making each visit unique.

The idea of the whole menu is to showcase the best of what is grown in the area and internationally while the food itself is globally inspired.

“We try to take influences from around the world to tie in their flavour profiles with the food that we can grow here,” Brownlee said.

Last October, construction began on an outdoor pavilion that has a view of the garden to hold up to 250 people. Unfortunately, restrictions with the COVID-pandemic have not allowed the venue to be used for any large gatherings yet.

(website/Mabel Hill)

The restaurant has remained busy during the pandemic but is down to a third of regular capacity and can have a maximum of four people seated together with restrictions in place.

“We often find that it is tough for people to get a table because there isn’t the turnover that there normally is or there are not as many opportunities to seat more people being down so much seating,” Brownlee said.

With that being said, Mabel Hill has started to become a destination for those that want more than just a meal outside of the home and people are coming for the full experience that Brownlee and his staff offer.

“We find that we are getting more known and people are willing to travel further distances to experience it,” Brownlee said. “It has been great and rewarding to find put that people are enjoying us.”

Mabel Hill is not meant to be just a restaurant, or just a venue, or just a marketplace according to Brownlee.

“We aren’t going to be everyone’s favourite restaurant or the only place to go shop but just try to offer a but of everything for the people in the area,” Brownlee said.

(website/Mabel Hill)

He is hoping that more endeavors like this will pop in rural areas and become a growing trend.

“We just want to build our economy and tourism in our area and maybe we can influence others to do the same,” Brownlee said.

Brownlee grew up in Carrot River and helped out at his grandparents’ fruit and vegetable farm where he gained the knowledge and experience to now have his own garden on site. The garden at Mabel Hill was created out of grass fields.

“Originally, I wanted to purchase my grandparents’ farm but realized that with having a restaurant as well being at the farm was so advanced and so large that the food service would have to be the secondary thought,” Brownlee said.

Being more trained in cooking and passionate about it he needed a place where it would be more of a kitchen first. He does however have a three-acre garden and orchard to give a little bit of everything to the menu.

After purchasing the land and some help from his parents, Brownlee’s dream of the kitchen and marketplace became a reality.

“They have pretty much been here full-time for two years and just because I think they love it as well and want to see me succeed,” Brownlee said. “Same with my grandparents. They have had my back through it all, and any growing questions I have.”

He attended the Culinary Institute of Canada in Prince Edward Island and has experience working at Ayden Kitchen and Bar in Saskatoon.

Mabel Hill is located one mile east of Nipawin on Highway 55.

“We are looking forward to things getting back to normal and really striving and pushing for what this whole place is supposed to be about,” he said.

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angie.rolheiser@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser

by Angie Rolheiser

Mabel Hill Kitchen and Marketplace owner recognized in CBC Future 40

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