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Fire and Oak brings heat to the local culinary scene
By Erin Knutson
Fire and Oak brings the heat to the East Kootenay, and it’s sizzling.
Cranbrook’s newest dining hotspot keeps its promises with an upscale, sophisticated, and casual atmosphere. It offers an exceptional menu and three classic headliners: pizza, steak, and pasta.
“We have a fresh menu, excellent service, wine and cocktails, and a patio (currently finishing construction) that will seat up to 50 people,” said Fire and Oak’s co-owner and restaurateur, Jeremy Roth.
The complete transformation of the former restaurant space inside the Prestige Rocky Mountain Resort has provided diners with the opportunity to experience classic, and modern dining at Fire and Oak. A light oak interior, 18-foot glass doors that open to the patio, and a Forno pizza oven…inspire.
The fiery pizza oven sits front and centre in the open concept kitchen, beckoning onlookers with the promise of a delectable hand-crafted pie, just as its creators intended.
For owners Jeremy Roth, Sascha Hillebrand, and Robert Brandsetter (new onsite manager) the project was a year-long labour of love, beginning in November of 2018.
“We wanted to create a new dining space, and we loved the area— we tried to stay as local as possible with the interior,” said Roth of the eclectic design elements in the room, including the strategic placement of a cactus at each table, courtesy of M.J’s Floral Boutique.
Roth, Hillebrand, and Brandsetter are a trio of chefs, restaurateurs, and established business owners with over four decades of experience between them on B.C.’s culinary scene.
Roth and Hillebrand have successfully launched other restaurants in partnership with Prestige Hotels and Resorts, including Noir Kitchen and Bar in Smithers, and Don Cherry’s Sports Grill in both Smithers and Cranbrook. Hillebrand is also extremely well-known in northern B.C. where he owns and operates several more popular restaurants.
They decided to pursue Cranbrook as their next big venture after a visit to Key City, and have certainly put their stamp on their arrival.
“We decided that we wanted to create an element that was needed here,” said Roth of bringing to life a new dining experience for the locals.
After careful planning and a green light from the city, the original space was no more; in its place, a design that creates a warm and engaging atmosphere ideal for business, family, and date night.
The rest is history, or history in the making with a restaurant that promises to revolutionize dining in Cranbrook while complimenting the modernity of the Prestige, which continues with its renovations.
Roth has brought in an excellent staff and head chef Renato Cruz Castillo from Smithers to command the ship.
“He’s someone I know and trust in the lead role and someone who can train locally and take on the job.”
It’s all about quality and passion for the team at Fire and Oak.
“Everything is done to create a quality dining experience, where people are fulfilled and inspired by the food they are eating and feeling good about local ingredients and environmentally-friendly practices,” said Roth.
Fire and Oak will be phasing out non-recyclable items for eco-friendly ones as things progress. They will continuing adapt to the changing culinary scene in B.C. as part of their mandate to celebrate local ingredients while doing their part to take care of the environment.
“We want to really appeal to the locals, and bring people from downtown to try us as another option to eat at, with good food and a unique setting.”
Fire and Oak is now open for breakfast seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 11 am, and for dinner from 5pm to 10 p.m. Lunch service will begin later this summer once the patio is complete.
Enter to win dinner for four at Fire and Oak.
Lead image: Fire and Oak celebrated its grand opening at the Prestige Rocky Mountain Resort in Cranbrook on Friday, July 5. From left to right: Cienna Marshall, Robert Brandsetter, Sascha Hillebrand, Jeremy Roth and Sam Lautrup. Photo by Erin Knutson
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