DINE
FINE DINING AT LUDVIG ’ S BISTRO A TASTE OF LEGACY
For more than 20 years , one of the markers for Sitka ’ s official summer season has been the illumination of the twinkling lights strung across a burgundy building in downtown Sitka . Inside , former owner and head chef , Colette Nelson of Ludvig ’ s Bistro , paired fine wines with mouthwatering Mediterranean-inspired dishes that have earned the restaurant the title of one of Sitka ’ s best spots to eat . This legacy is one Ludvig ’ s new owner , Chef Edith Johnson , plans to continue .
As a Tlingít Kiks . ádi , Edith ’ s Sitka roots date back thousands of years . In fact , Katlian Street , where Ludvig ’ s resides , was the original Kiks . ádi village , giving her an added layer of kinship with the restaurant . As the new owner , Edith is excited to not only carry on the legacy of the restaurant , but to also carry on her family ’ s legacy . “ I feel super honored to own this business where my family flourished 10,000 years ago , and I ’ m honored to share Indigenous food with visitors from all over the world . I ’ m from here , and I ’ m raising my kids here , so being integrated into the community and having that deep ancestral connection is pretty cool ,” says Edith . This connection to the community , along with Edith ’ s passion for local food , creativity , and undeniable talent , is one of the reasons Colette knew Edith was the perfect person to pass the torch to . “ I always knew the ‘ right person ’ was out there , and the fact that Chef Edith is Tlingít makes this transition even more wonderful . The Alaska Native people have been stewarding the land of Lingít Aaní for time immemorial , and now she can spend her time in a very special part of the world , continuing her connection to her place and her people ,” Colette says .
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