Episode 96"Hot Food Trends"

 Chef Jonathon Frazier, Darren Howlett and Blayne Prowse are in the studio again to discuss food trends. Jon participated in Restaurants Canada 2015 chef survey, a Canada-wide poll of chefs on food trends and the results are in. Listen in for what you can look forward to at your favourite restaurant or grocery store as well as what may be on the way out. We would love to get your input on this one! What do you think is popular in food; what's not exciting anymore;  or what's being overlooked and should be more popular?

Episode 92 "Food Trucks and Courtenay"

The hot topic in the Comox Valley, Food Trucks? Joining Chef Jonathan Frazier and Darren Howlett tonight is none other than Hans Peter Meyer - bon vivant and man about town, to discuss Food Trucks in Courtenay. Unexpectedly, we all had a very different take on this issue! It made for some great conversation and counter-points though (and Hans makes a pretty convincing argument). Listen in and let us know where you stand on this oft debated issue! Let us know how you feel @ediblevalley and here is the  link to an online survey about the issue at www.courtenay.ca/foodtrucks open till Friday, March 11, 2016. Hard copies of the survey are also available at Courtenay City Hall, or by request at courtenay@courtenay.ca

Episode #90 "Comox Valley Dine Around with Deana Simkin of Billy Ds Pub"

Comox Valley Dine Around 2016 is coming up quick, so we sat down with Deana Simkin for all of the details. Deana is A member of the committee that organizes the event, as well as a participant with her own local business - Billy D's Pub and Bistro. Deana brings us up to speed on the history of Dine Around, its growing success, and the future of where it's headed! We also talk a little bit about its branching into other events, such as the Sip Around and Brews Cruise. Everyone in the local food industry is gearing up and getting excited as the event itself is right around the corner! Listen in and get all the details.
Check the menus
www.comoxvalleydinearound.com
#cvdinearound

Episode 89 " What to do with Food Prices"

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!

Episode 88 " Chris Thrift of Anglers Restaurant at Dolphins Resort"

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!

Episode 82 "Summer sit down Edible Valley

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. 

Episode 80 "Ben-zion Eni and The Hub"

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!   

Episode 76 "Connie Earl and BC wines"

On this episode, the ever eloquent Connie Earl joins Chef Jonathan Frazier and Darren Howlett to talk local wine. Connie is easily one of the foremost resources for the Valley on all things wine; her knowledge extending throughout Vancouver Island, BC in general, and worldwide. She brought her expertise and a few bottles of semi-local reds to discuss the first steps in evaluating a bottles' merits, triumphs and shortcomings. What a treat!

Episode 70 "Up and coming Restaurateurs"

Today's episode we get to sit down with Cat Leduc and Jake Tinkler-Josephi. It's great when we get to chat with friends from our daily routine about the Valley, food, and everything in between. We asked them to come on to the show as guests to talk about their newest venture: Toscano's Trattoria! At the time of taping, we weren't able to discuss the name of the venture, which made for some difficult conversational maneuvering, but we were able to cut to the details of becoming a restaurateur. It was refreshing to be able to talk to people just getting into the restaurant business. Their nervous energy and obvious excitement are infectious, and it's hard to not get swept up in it. We are so happy for them and proud that they are able to start living their dreams in food and in the Valley! Toscano's Trattoria
Open: Dinner
Daily, 5-9, Closed Sundays & Holiday
Web: http://www.toscanos.ca
Phone:1 (250) 890.7575,
Address140
Port Augusta, Comox, BC, V9M 0A1, Canada

Episode 68 "Locals Restaurant with Ronald St. Pierre"

Today we have a special treat. Chef Ronald
St. Pierre of Locals Restaurant sits down with us to discuss his illustrious
and distinguished career as a Chef in the Comox Valley. Ronald takes us from
his humble beginnings in rural Quebec to his star studded fame as local Chef
and business owner. Give a listen, as he touches on the
progression of cuisine and dining from the seventies through to now. He also
gives great measure to how important it is to shop and eat local. We couldn't
agree more, Ronald!  Locals Restaurant at the Old Househttp://www.localscomoxvalley.com Address:      1760
Riverside Lane  Courtenay  BC  V9N 8C7Phone: 250-338-6493Email: info@localscomoxvalley.comSOpen:7 DAYS A WEEK11:00 am - 9:00 pmBrunch 10:00 am - 2:00 pmSATURDAY/SUNDAY
ONLY