‘A nice reminder of home’: Safari Market launches African-Caribbean buffet in Saskatoon

Saskatoon’s Safari Market has expanded to include a big part of African and Caribbean culture - the food.

Edith Conacher has been living in Saskatchewan for 32 years after falling in love with a farm boy from the prairies. Together, they have spent the last 11 years, working to bring part of Edith’s culture to Saskatoon.

“It’s not just about where I’m from, which is Ghana. We wanted a place where all Africans and people from the Caribbean, or people who have visited Africa and love it, can find something that they love and so our slogan, the name Safari - Safari is a Swahili word that means journey,” Edith said.

Saskatoon’s Safari Market has been a staple in the community for more than a decade. After relocating from its Eight Street location to a larger space in Saskatoon’s north end, the shop has expanded to include a big part of African and Caribbean culture - the food.

“The buffet, the bakery and the butchery were always part of the original plan. Once we moved here, we realized that we had enough space for the other parts of the business that we wanted,” Edith said.

As posted on the signs throughout the market, customers only need to follow their noses to find a buffet which features traditional dishes from across Africa and the Caribbean, along with some Canadian classics.

“It’s a journey and a taste of food. You come in and you can find something from South Africa. You can find something from Ghana, Nigeria, Jamaica, you name it, you can find something here. And so we’re all about the diversity, welcoming everybody here,” Edith said.

• Get the latest news from Saskatoon, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App

The timing of this grand opening is certainly appropriate as the holidays draw near. Edith’s daughter, Josie Conacher, expressed how these dishes can provide a sense of community for those who are far from home over the holidays.

“Holidays, you think of all the food and the feasting and getting together with loved ones and friends and family. And so I think having something like this, where a lot of people from the community are getting together and enjoying a lot of food that you might not often get here, is kind of a nice reminder of home, helps with homesickness,” Josie said.

Edith said this expansion will also allow for not just an opportunity for folks to try some tasty food, but their demonstration kitchen will help teach those looking to try their hand at cooking some dishes of their own.

“People from Saskatchewan who just are curious, or they’ve lived elsewhere, maybe they’ve lived in Ghana before, and they remember something about Ghana that they want to come and see. We welcome everybody,” Edith said.

The buffet is open Tuesday to Sunday, while Safari Market operates all seven days a week. Josie said seeing the expansion come to life was a heartfelt moment for her family.

“I know I’ve been looking forward to a lot of these dishes. It’s been a dream of my mom’s and so I’m just really excited that it’s coming to life today and I hope the community is just as excited,” Josie said.

She said those who came for a bite at the grand opening have had some very positive things to say.

“So far, so good. They’ve come hungry, they’ve left stuffed and happy,” Josie said.