Switching gears for this episode, we invited a few friends (Arzeena Hamir and Blayne Prowse) to discuss the issue of rising produce costs. Specifically, 'How did we get here?', and 'What can we do about it?'.  We are living in a time when our current models are starting to fail us, and new models, or outright change from the ground up is required. It was an illuminating chat with some great ideas and options, and an interesting new format for the Edible Valley. We hope to pepper in a few of these throughout the year - let us know what you think!

Our good
friend Chris Thrift joins us in studio tonight. Having made his way around the
Valley at a handful of restaurants, Chris has settled in quite comfortably with
his new role as Chef at Anglers Restaurant at Dolphins Resort in Campbell
River. We get to touch on the Campbell River food scene, local sustainability
and Island food culture. We also touch on moving for work, and finding your
niche. Chris is a fantastic chef who has found his anchor, his center in this
new setting. And you know what they say about a Chef inspired...
He is
leading the way in something very special, and it's great to be able to bear
witness at this initial stage. We will be touching in with him periodically as
he digs in to the Campbell River food scene and culture. We're looking forward
to hearing about his new culinary adventures!
He is leading the way in something very special, and it's great to be able to
bear witness at this initial stage. We will be touching in with him
periodically as he digs in to the Campbell River food scene and culture. We're looking
forward to hearing about his new culinary adventures!

Chef Jonathon Frazier and Darren Howlett sit down at the Edible Valley
table to talk about, and bring you up to speed on the local food scene.
After many weeks away, the duo return to catch up on whats been
happening in all-things-food in this great Valley of ours. There's a
little recap on what they've been up to together (the new business
partnership) and their individual pursuits. Listen in and get caught up!

With Chef Jonathan away at food shows Blayne steps in to catch up with Darren to talk about what is going on in his life.

Today we check back in with wonder-couple Brian and Leah of Clever Crow and Clever Crow Farms. There have been many exciting developments with these two in their forays into the local food scene and local food culture; including buying a farm (!) and developing a commercial kitchen / retail shop (!!). Listen in as we get a chance to discuss the last two years with these two - their struggles, achievements and victories! Oh, and the debut of a new product that truly speaks to the Comox Valley's sensibilities...  Don't forget to visit Clever Crow at the Farmer Market which has now moved inside to the Native Sons Hall.

Role reversal; The return of old friends; and a major announcement on this episode of the Edible Valley! Our dear friend and co-creator of the show; Mr Blayne Prowse returns to the podcast, but this time he's back in the 'interviewer chair'. Who is he interviewing? Why it's us - Chef Jonathoan Frazier and Darren Howlett. Alongside us is our mutual friend and now business partner - Mrs. Sarah Walsh! That's right - Darren and Jon have bought into Sarah's Prontissima Pasta! The three partners discuss the details and the future of their endeavour in our 180 degree twist of an episode. Listen in for all of the exciting details!   

Tonight we sit down with Susan and Jeff Vandermolen of Shake the Tree - a consultancy that grew out of their sale of their major contribution to the Comox Valley food culture: Beaufort Winery. Tonight they regale us with the tale of how they traded in their corporate day jobs to pursue a career in their favourite hobby - winemaking! We get to learn a little bit about the process, the history, and exactly what happens next, now that the winery has sold. And of course, it wouldn't have felt right if we didn't at least a couple of bottles of wine to sample during the course of the interview...

Chef Jonathan Frazier and Darren Howlett catch up on the local food scene today. These episodes where we check in on what's going on with us and the Valley in food have become some of our favourites. We touch on upcoming events, what's inspiring us, what's new in our local food culture, and where it's all heading. 

Michelle Hua of Hazelmere farms stopped into the studio today, and what a treat it was! A staple of the Comox Valley Farmers Market, Hazelmere Farms' booth has been a highlight for years. Michelle, who has just returned to the Valley with her husband, was able to give us a wonderful history of the farm and talk about where it's headed as she and her hubby take a more active role in the farms' future. We wish them all the best!Hazelmere
Farm
3222 Grant Rd, Courtenay,
BCPhone: 250-336-2608Email: huawongs@telus.net 

In the studio today, Ben-zion Eni joined us to discuss his newest endeavour, the Hub Café in downtown Courtenay. Ben has stepped out of a 20 year career working with fresh produce and jumped into the service side of the food industry! We talked to him about the jump - the motivations, hesitations, and everything in between. But as we got to talking, the thing that struck us the most is his sense of community. It's obvious that it plays a significant role in his café. This great little spot has great food, a great atmosphere, a great location, and you just know it's going to succeed!   

The beautiful Ms. Toni
Dunne sits down with Chef Jon and Darren today to talk gardening. A self-taught
garden hobbyist, Toni has developed as a semi-professional gardener over the
years as she soaked in and absorbed every bit of information she could. With
an eye on acidity and soil alchemy, Toni and friends have created lush,
abundant gardens out of little backyard dirt patches. And like a modern day
Johnny Appleseed, she plants a little every where she goes.
But taking it further than
that, she discusses how to provide a modest secondary income from her garden,
while still providing plenty for her and her family. It’s truly the new
direction backyard farming is going, so just sit back and listen to this
vanguard of modern hobby farming tell you her journey from amateur to
thriving gardener.

Allen McWilliam of Tannadice Farms sat down with Chef Jon and Darren in the studio today. Allen treated us to the background story of how the farm has grown from its' humble beginnings to the cornerstone-of-the-valley it has become. Humble and gracious, he shared a loving history of the Valley, and was able to relate his unique view on the farming scene here and how it has evolved and grown over the years. And he brought sausages!