Episode 55 "Taste of Edible Valley"

Chef Jon and Darren take a break to catch up the listeners to what they've been up to - and well, it's quite a bit! This episode touches on their foray into video, as well as their recent coverage in a local magazine. And, is Edible Valley (the local food podcast) evolving into a local food cooking show? Take a listen and get the details! 
  They also take a minute to look toward the near future, and discuss who may appear in future episodes, what the two have planned for the future of Edible Valley, and where both local food and their filmed episodes are headed!

Episode 53 “Communal Beat, Chris Graham”

This week we had the great fortune of being able to sit down with Chris Graham to talk about his newest project, which is sure to revolutionize the Comox Valley's cuisine scene! It's called Communal Beat and it's all about food, entertainment and exploring in the Valley. We were able to get an advanced peak at the first issue, and it's incredible! Chock full of gorgeous imagery and familiar locations, peppered with some great feature articles, with a calendar  smack dab in the centre - showing every festival, performance, gathering, special activity and food related event for the month. This will surely become a vital resource of the locals and tourists alike.
If you're wondering why the name of Chris Graham sounds familiar, it's because you remember him as a staple of the Farmer's Market. It's Chris, the Tamale Guy! If any of you have been wondering just where he went, or what happened to him - this is it! He's been hard at work to get this monthly magazine off the ground. We had a fantastic time sitting down with him, and found that we're kindred spirits - we're all motivated by this beautiful island we live on, the people that cultivate and nurture it, and want nothing more than to share it's abundance with everyone! Take a listen, and let us know what you think!

Episode 51 “Dawn McRae of Custom Gourmet Catering”

Dawn McRae is passionate about food, and believes there is pleasure to be found in enjoying quality ingredients. We were lucky to have her sneak away from her busy life and sit down to talk with us about her company Custom Gourmet Catering. With over 17 years in the industry she has developed a personal cooking style that fuses international cuisines with her own West Coast flare. 
"Whether it be for a large event, a special occasion, an intimate in-home dinner party or a customized cooking class, let Custom Gourmet create a personalized menu for you that reflects your needs and wants. It is all about making the event a unique dining experience for you and your guests," quotes her website.
Guests will enjoy such globally inspired flavours as Moroccan, Asian, Indian, African and Mediterranean, incorporating such spices as ras el hanout, star anise, chimichurri, onion seeds as well as plenty of fresh herbs. Locally produced, fresh organic foods, seafood and artisan products from the Comox Valley are also intertwined into her dishes whenever possible.
For more info contact Dawn at Custom Gourmet Catering
Tel: 250.338.4350Info@CustomGourmetChef.com

Episode 50 "Gillian Watt BC Meats for BC markets"

Do you ever wonder where your food comes from? What makes it so special? This week with our first studio audience we got a chance to talk to Gillian Watt from the BC association of abattoirs about BC Meats for BC Markets. We learned first of all BC does have a beef industry and a new BC beef net will allow local chefs the ability to buy BC beef. The program allows chefs to buy whole or half carcasses and have them process to there liking as well as giving a price per portion. With the North Vancouver Island Chef Association as our guests in studio we learned about the future of where our beef industry is going and how we will soon see local BC beef in many of our restaurants in our amazing province.

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 42-Helen Grond of Middle Mountain Mead

Helen Grond contacted us a few weeks ago to let us know she was appreciating the podcast, and offer some words of encouragement. She revealed that, with her husband, they own and operate Middle Mountain Mead on Hornby Island. Along with being a local farmer and producer, Helen has also been living the Paleo lifestyle for five years and belongs to a Paleo inspired group on the island. It was a great conversation with someone who is very educated about the issues of our present day food systems and wishes to help others to create food security in their own lives. Thanks Helen, it was great to meet you!

Episode 41- Dr. Thierry Vrain on GMO

It was our great pleasure to welcome Dr. Vrain to the studio to talk to us about the issues surrounding Genetically Modified Organisms. A little back ground of Thierry from his bio on the Innisfree Farm website:
Thierry was born and raised in Paris, France. He did undergraduate and graduate degrees in biology in France and in the US. Upon arriving in Canada he taught Plant Physiology at Université du Québec in Montréal for two years. Then he had a long career as a research scientist for the federal government in Québec and BC, in Vancouver and in Summerland.
After thirty five years of research and teaching of soil biology and molecular biology – what he now calls “Chemical Agriculture”, he decided to retire young and reinvent life. A very few years later, newly remarried, co-owner of an incredibly beautiful property called Innisfree, he foresees a long future of service to the community. He has become a gardener, a teacher, and a passionate speaker about organic gardening – from soil health to GMO’s.
Thierry has numerous videos on the web, including an eye opening presentation at the Comox Valley Tedx talk. Simply Google his name and find numerous articles and videos about the problems with G.M.O.
Thierry is also looking to raise $100,000 to commence a 100 community tour speaking about the dangers of G.M.O. If you are interested in donating, please check out his gofundme site
Thanks Dr. Vrain for doing what you are to inform the public the truths behind this confusing subject.

Episode 40- Author Miles Olson: Unlearn,rewild

Miles Olson came to Blayne's attention a few month back with the release of his book "Unlearn, Rewild" in 2012.