Episode 49 "Erin Rowsell of Taku Cookery""Erin Roswell of Taku Cookery"

The kitchen is often considered the heart of the home and that is what the Taku resort is trying to do by bring in top notch chef to teach the wonders of food  to their guests. We were luck enough to have Erin Rowsell come in and talk to us a little about the exciting things happening at the cookery. Taku cookery goal is to provide meaningful and inspiring hands-on culinary experiences with renowned Chefs that focus on local ingredients on beautiful Quadra Island, BC. Guest of up to 8 people are invited to participate in hands-on classes which have included French culinary weekends, Gourmet bread coarse Chocolate Indulgence and Flavours of India. Erin was excited to let us know about some of the upcoming course like February 22-23 Chef David Robertson from the Dirty Apron. For more info check out their website cookery@takuresort.com or call reservations: 250.204.2121 toll free: 1.877.285.8258

Episode 48 “Delicious Downtown and Island Gourmet Trails”

Guest speaker Gaetane Palardy of Island Gourmet Trails discusses the extensive opportunities we have here in the valley to showcase food through food tourism. She walks us through what a tour with Island Gourmet Trails looks like, with the emphasis on visiting the valley from a foodie angle. They also take a peek at the cooking classes Gaetane offers, and what it means to meet local producers and taste local food through product, restaurants, and other activities around food in the valley.
Jon reviews the local products he showcased over the past weekend during the event “Delicious Downtown.”

Episode 47 “Reflecting on where the show has been and where it is going”

Chef Jonathan Frazier and co-host Darren Howlett explore options for the new year and express some of the possibilities that can unfold in their new studio space - “Studio Live” in Cumberland. Looking ahead they intend to focus on interviews, to resurrect the “foodie news” which showcases local food events happening in the community, and to launch into you tube clips which will include cooking demonstrations. An emphasis on going back to the basics, the fundamentals of cooking, and looking ahead to working with the Chef’s Association and What the beef is in BC! “You never know where its going to go” says Jonathan.

They also review the past podcasts, which include nearly 50 episodes focused on all aspects of food including Chefs, cuisine, farmers, diet, the local market and even composting. A request for help from listeners to bring forward what they would like to listen to, and to anyone with a fresh idea they are working on.

Episode 39- Clever Crow Sea Salts and Fine Herbs

Brian McCormick joins us for another visit, along with his wife Lia, to explore their new enterprise, Clever Crow Herbs, Spices and Sea Salt.

Episode 36- Catching up

We failed to get organized and secure a guest for this week, so it is a chance for a catch up show with Jon and Blayne.
Blayne has been busy, touring around the island visiting people and places. He also signed up for an online Permaculture Design Course. The course is offered by Geoff Lawton, arguably the foremost instructor of Permaculture in the world, and is based at the Permaculture Research Institute in Australia. Blayne is also trying to create a list of protein producers in the Comox Valley doing it right, pasture and grass based, with no G.M.O. feed for hogs or chickens. If you have any input please join the Comox Valley Paleo group on Facebook.
Jon has been working hard in the Cafe, getting set to launch a new menu, and ramping up for the ever busy summer season. He is also taking part in the B.C. Shellfish Festival Gala Dinner. This event is sold out, and promises to be a special meal for all in attendance. The N.V.I.C.A. installation dinner is coming up soon, with a pig roast at Dove Creek hall. Should be delicious!
Thanks for listening to the Edible Valley podcast. We gratefully accept donations to help with our hosting, as well as contributions of food ingredients to the Edible Valley test kitchen. Please feel free to contact us by email ediblevalley@gmail.com, follow our twitter feed (@ediblevalley) and like our facebook page

Episode 33- Chef Joseph Forest of Innisfree Farm

After much hard work completed by Jon, the Edible Valley studio is up and running and it was time to invite a guest to join us in studio. We were lucky to be joined by chef and author Joseph Forest, chef-in-resident at Innisfree Farm in Royston. After 25 plus years in the conventional restaurant and catering business, Joseph was chosen to join the team at Innisfree. He is now learning about food as medicine, ancestral ways of eating, and traditional ways of preserving the harvest. Joseph and Blayne could talk for hours about these subjects and will have many more meetings over the summer. Thanks Joseph!
Thanks for listening to the Edible Valley podcast. We gratefully accept donations to help with our hosting, as well as contributions of food ingredients to the Edible Valley test kitchen. Please feel free to contact us by email ediblevalley@gmail.com, follow our twitter feed (@ediblevalley) and like our facebook page

Episode 31: Cooking demo, catch-up and playing with new equipment

Hi all. After many weeks of research and learning, we are back in business. We now have the ability to do a much broader media show with the addition of an iMac and the GarageBand program! It is exciting to get back into the swing of things, and move forward with bringing attention to the food culture of the Comox Valley, to the area and beyond.
This week found Jon and Blayne in studio together with some events to chat about, including Dine Around Comox Valley and Jon's cooking demo at Beyond the Kitchen Door. News of the North Vancouver Island Chefs Associations Pasta Day is coming out, and we also touch on cooking oysters.
Thanks for listening to the Edible Valley podcast. We gratefully accept donations to help with our hosting, as well as contributions of food ingredients to the Edible Valley test kitchen. Please feel free to contact us by email ediblevalley@gmail.com, follow our twitter feed (@ediblevalley) and like our facebook page.

Episode 25: Edible Valley Test Kitchen

This episode we had a scheduling mix up with our expected guest, so we had to make alternate plans at the last minute. We decided to ask our beloved producer, Drex, to join us in studio and talk about the Edible Valley Test Kitchen event that we did at Beyond the Kitchen Door on November 13th. We mentioned this cooking demo on the show several times, which was by invite only to give thanks to several people at Jet FM and we also included Sue and Teresa from Beyond the Kitchen Door to enjoy a meal with us. Jon runs down the whole menu during this episode. Drex was happy to give us some feedback from someone who doesn't get to see a professional chef in action. Thanks for helping us out Drex!
For our Edible Valley Test Kitchen meal before the show, we were fortunate to receive a donated whole pastured chicken from Tannadice Farm in Dove Creek. Jon brined the bird and cooked it "beer can" style. The meat turned our moist and tender, and the skin was crunchy and salty, just the way it should. A side of coleslaw made with Eatmore Sprouts purple cabbage, smashed potatoes fried in butter and garnished with Blayne's homemade bacon, and savoury muffins. A ladle of flavourful gravy topped the whole plate. As always another amazing meal showcasing Comox Valley grown food.

Episode 22: Chef Andrew Stigant of Crown Isle Resort

Chef Andrew was raised in the Comox Valley and left to pursue his apprenticeship as a chef. He worked in many fantastic kitchens in many renown food locations such as Lake Louise, Tofino and Victoria, returning home to give his children a life that he remembers from his childhood. Andrew took the reigns of Crown Isle about three years ago and has done wonderful things with the restaurant. Look for the new menu as well as many upcoming events, including Wine Fest on November 3rd. Thanks so much for coming in and having a visit Andrew.
Upcoming Events courtesy of Hans Peter Meyer. Thank you for your contribution to Edible Valley. Visit Hans' site Eat Drink Comox Valley for the full list of events.

Flavour

Blayne was fortunate to be allowed to wander the grounds of "Flavour-The North Islands Gourmet Picnic" at Coastal Black Winery this past Sunday. Armed with an iPhone, he wrangled a few interviews from willing participants. Some past guests and some new voices that we hope to have in studio at some point. Thanks to all involved in making this event such a huge success. Look for Flavour 2013, and get tickets early, as it is sure to sell out fast!