The Edible Valley Podcasts

With Family Day appoaching, Jonathan and Darren discuss some dinner ideas to have with the family.

While preparing to tape the next episode of the podcast, Darren and Jon got to talking about Winter Foraging - and what exactly that would be or look like. Thankfully, Blayne had answers. The conversation wandered more into 'Winter Eats' than 'Winter Foraging', but that's to be expected. Many thanks to Blayne for always being so informative!

Jeff Hampton, president of the Comox Valley Food bank joins us to share an incredible story of the origins of our local food bank, and the lengths and depths he and his people have gone to feed the needy. It's truly harrowing and pulls at the heartstrings. Did you know that in the early days, as volunteers they would cut down trees and sell the firewood - then use the money to buy food to give to the needy and poor? Incredible humble beginnings set the stage for this noble and necessary organization. Listen in to hear the full story.
Check out and Support @Comox Valley Food Bank
 

  You can buy direct from the producer, you can go to the farmer's market, or there's local shops, etc. Those are all great if you live here, and know when and where to find them. But Dawn Postnikoff from Westcoast Gourmet is providing an online option. Great for locals, but importantly, Tourists. Fans. Out-of-towners. Dawn is pulling it all together and making it available to everyone! Hear her story of hows and whos and whys of taking Comox Valley Food to the world stage!
Check Out @ Westcoast Gourmet Provisions

With the holiday season upon us, Darren and Jonathan spend some time discussing the joys of Christmas dinner and some of their favourite meal ideas.

With cold weather fast approaching, Darren and Jonathan are wondering what everyone's doing with their wonderful bounty of winter vegetables? They have some interesting ideas of their own, of course.  

Ever wonder how the Comox Valley stacks up to Portland? How about our rapidly growing food truck scene? This week Jon and Darren discuss all things "Portlandia" and our own small town vibrant food scene and much more.

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Finally after a long wait: Flavour - The North Vancouver Island Picnic! We were lucky to have Darren walk the grounds of Flavour while recording interviews with many exibitors and guest to find out who they were, what they brought and why they were there. Please enjoy, we sure did.

Dave Semmelink joins Jonathan and Darren today to talkabout his involvement with Lush Valley and his farm, Lentelus Organics. Jonathan met Dave while on a Lush Valley tree-harvesting day, raising money for the Comox Valley Chef's Association, and knew he was the kind of guy we love having on the show. With his feet firmly entrenched in local food production, and deftly involved in community efforts, we asked him to regale us with his LushValley tales. To our surprise, he was more suited as a follow-up to our recentCharcuterie and Local Farming episodes. Listen in as Dave delves into Farming,Food and Philanthropy!  
 
www.lentelusorganics.com

Returning guest Cat Leduc joins Darren and Chef Jonathan along side Lynda Smith (her first appearance) for the newest Edible Valley Podcast. Today's exciting topic: Canning and Preserving! As we move into fall,we are well into harvest season - what better time to consider new options of how you are going to preserve your bounty? Listen in as our experts throw out some new flavours, ideas, and tips for you for your next food projects!

Cohen Brown of Clandestino Salumi joins a returning Brian McCormick of Clever Crow to today’s Edible Valley podcast! Chef Jonathon Frazier, Darren Howlett, and their guests discuss charcuterie! First we have to ask: What is charcuterie? We found we each have a slightly different opinion of the common theme; none of us define it the same way. We all agree that it centers around cured meats and the conversation goes from there! 
 
After listening to the episode, you may want to check out :
 In The Charcuterie: The Fatted Calf's Guide to Making Sausage, Salumi, Pates,Roasts, Confits, and Other Meaty Goods

As we near the end of summer, Chef Jonathan and Darren
thought it may be interesting to hear from a few local farmers about how this
summer compared to others, and the state of local farming in the Comox Valley.
In attendance were: Gardening enthusiast extraordinaire: Ms. Toni Dunne; Owner
of Ashbury Farms: Mr. Miguel Laroche; and recently relocated member of Merville
Organics Ms. Robin Sturley. Listen in and hear how they weathered this years'
curveballs, rolled with the changes, and dealt with the excesses. Let us know
how your garden and your bounty may have differed from previous years - we
would love to hear about it!