Voices of Immigrants

Janice Sriwantan

Interview with Janice Sriwantan July, 2024

Name: Janice Sriwantan

Where are you originally from? 

I am from Chang Mai (Thailand). 

How long have you been in Canada?

I came to Canada in 2012, I was in Vancouver for 2 years originally, I changed my status to student and attended culinary school. I then moved to Pemberton with my husband in 2016.

I eventually got my PR and I now have my Canadian Citizenship!

Why Pemberton?

I fell in love with Pemberton, it was more like the countryside, so reminded me of back home. Pemberton was so beautiful. My husband and I found a place in Mt Currie and that was when Barn Nork was established. 

When we moved to Pemberton, we did not know anyone, however we did still have friends in Vancouver so would occasionally go to visit friends.

When reflecting, what cultures do you remember being around you when you first moved here and what cultures do you see today?

When we first moved here, I think there was a Japanese culture, there were not any Thai people. However, these days, there is more cultures in Pemberton, there is more Filipino’s and Mexicans. 

Let’s talk about your business as it’s clear you have contributed to the sea to sky community!?

My husband and I started our Thai Restaurant in Mount Currie, when we were just two people, we were both chefs. We built up our restaurant in Pemberton and people seemed to like it. We were the first Thai restaurant in Pemberton. We ran our restaurant in Pemberton for 5 years, and then decided to move our business to Whistler, we built the restaurant during covid, so it wasn’t easy.

We continue to be busy! My husband is the head chef whilst, however, I cook but also create the menu, hire staff and manage the kitchen. We employ many different cultures and teach them the recipes, some of the cultures we currently employ are Korean, Filipino, Japanese and more.

If you could change anything, what would it be?

I wish I could have more Thai people here, so that I could have more of a community, I always tell my friends who live in the city that they should move here. The closest temple is in Vancouver also, so this means I do not go there much.