Submitted by Fuel Marketing.

Chefs Andrew Martin and Amy Nack announce the grand opening of Cafe Aurora on Orcas Island on Aug. 7. Located at 123 North Beach Road, Cafe Aurora will serve brunch Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will also host special events like rehearsal dinners and professional gatherings upon request and a rotating calendar of ongoing events.

“Our goal is to create an experience where people feel welcome and relaxed, enjoying both the food and the ambiance,” said Nack. “We want Cafe Aurora to be a fun, vibrant place where locals and tourists love to gather.”

The menu will feature contemporary American cuisine, which, Martin said, “pairs fresh, simple ingredients with thoughtful preparation.” Visit https://www.cafe-aurora.com/ for more information.

Martin and Nack, who have been married for 20 years, met at the New England Culinary Institute in Montpelier, VT. After graduation, they built their careers at properties across the Western US. Nack served on the pastry team at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Laguna Niguel, CA, and was the Pastry Chef of the Little Nell Hotel in Aspen, CO. She was also the Pastry Chef at Cafe Dolce in Missoula, MT, and a Chef Instructor at the Big Sky Culinary Institute at the University of Montana. Martin also began his career at the Ritz-Carlton in Laguna Niguel, and later worked as Chef at the Aspen Mountain Club at the Little Nell Hotel in Aspen. Most recently, he led the culinary team at the New Leaf Cafe on Orcas Island.

After numerous visits, the duo began their move to the island in 2021. Following their son’s high school graduation, they settled fully in 2022.

As for the decision to branch out independently, the couple shared that while they had often toyed with the idea of opening their own restaurant, the island’s entrepreneurial spirit convinced them that the time and place were finally right.

“Entrepreneurship is a big thing on the island,” Martin said. “And you can’t help but get swept up in the energy of it. It definitely played a role in our decision to launch Cafe Aurora and bring our vision to life.”