Understatement of the year for me I love my new Harmons Emigration Market.  I love it for a million reasons, but we're here to focus on one:  Oko. He's my local butcher. Well, he's my former butcher, back on the block, doing what he does best. Oko was a firm fixture at Emigration Market prior to its closing nearly 2 years ago, and a bit of community was admittedly lost. Luckily, in September of this year, the landmark store was re-opened as Harmons Emigration Market, and the locals and I were elated to see a familiar face behind the meat counter.

Oko, or Augustine, as his Ghanan parents named him, grew up in Mampong, a town in the Ashanti region of Ghana. He's one of 6 children, and a twin [my brief crash-course in Ghanan culture teaches me that, in his father's tribe, twins are called Oko...hence the name]. He played soccer professionally and owned his own boutique in Ghana, but his heart was in Utah with his then-girlfriend. After years of long distance love, he decided to make the move and settle here in Salt Lake City. Now married with a baby on the way, Oko is thrilled to be back at Emigration, seeing neighborhood friends and helping them solve the "what's for dinner?" dilemma. He can do more than help you choose he can cook it, as well. Secret tip:  if you stop in and find him whipping up his secret barbecue beef or pork recipe, get it.  It's irresistible.

Welcome back, Oko. We've missed you.