The Edible Valley Podcast

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 24: Weinberg's Good Food

Jon with co-host and past guest Darren Howlett welcome Leah Weinberg to Edible Valley. Regular co-host Blayne is away with another commitment and was disappointed to miss this interview. Weinberg's Good Food is a recent addition to the Comox Valley food scene. Located at the Buckley Bay Petro-Canada station, on the bottom side, beside Fanny Bay Oysters Seafood Shop.  Weinberg's is a small independently operated store that focuses on local and organic food. Striving to provide healthy food for their own family brought the store into fruition. Along with a marvelous selection of great foods, they also have local made crafts and artisan products. With the love of good food only slightly topping a great appreciation for quality coffee, Weinberg's also serves great espresso and an assortment of your favorite coffee beverages using beans roasted at Creekmore's Coffee in Coombs.

Episode 23: Eatmore Sprouts

Eatmore Sprouts has been a symbol of Comox Valley organic farming for decades with their little operation on the north end of Courtenay, and spreading their lovely product all around western Canada. This episode of Edible Valley we welcome Angie and Amy, two talented ladies left with the enviable task of re-vitalizing the dormant market garden on the Eatmore site. With copious amounts of beautiful organic compost they have quickly created a wonderful environment to grow a large variety of vegetables, from summer squash, spinach, carrots, asian greens, pumpkins, kales, broccoli and so much more. Angie and Amy hope to continue to market this produce all winter long at the Comox Valley Farmers Market, as well as selling at Seeds Food Market and Edible Island. Thank you ladies for your story and input on our local food scene. See you at the Market.

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.

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.

Episode 21: Darren Howlett of Kamma Bento Sushi

Something relatively new to the Comox Valley are food carts. Darren Howlett, a local business man, needing a new challenge, decided that building a food cart and focusing on serving sushi. The inherent challenges of setting up a kitchen in a small space, plus having the ability to keep that space up to the requirements of the health inspectors made this project a little more difficult than originally anticipated. After working a few events with Kamma Bento, Darren is excited by the positive feedback of his new endeavor. Thanks for sharing your story Darren, we hope to sample your sushi soon.
Upcoming Events

Episode 20: Winter Gardening with Arzeena Hamir

With Jon away for this weeks recording, Blayne needed a guest and co-host, so he thought that Arzeena Hamir for Amara Farm would fill this role perfectly. The topic of this episode it winter gardening. The Comox Valley has an excellent climate for harvesting vegetables all winter long. If you have been interested in trying out some winter gardening, this episode will have some great tips for you. Remember to keep supporting our local farmers this winter as many of them will have fresh vegetables available during the "off season" Stop by and say Hi to Arzeena at the Market and pick up some Kale, Bok Choy, Mustard greens and many other delicious, fresh veggies. Thanks for being a good sport for join the podcast, and for having such a great community spirit Arzeena.
Up Coming Events:

Episode 19: Tina Willard-Stepen of Seeds Food Market.

Tina Willard-Stepen has been operating Seeds Food Market in Cumberland for almost 5 years. This "Green Grocery" was the first true grocery store in the Village in many years. With a mix of organic, local and natural products as well as family favorites and comfort food, the staff at Seeds strives to offer something for everyone, at competitive prices.  Seeds is a great place to find Tannadice Farms products as well as Island Bison, Pattison Farms, Natural Pastures Cheeses, and many niche products that my be tough to find in a larger shop. Thanks for being a wonderful guest, neighbour and for having such a strong community spirit Tina.

Episode 18: Hans Peter Meyer

Hans Peter Meyer is a writer, photographer, social media artist and coach. He has become well known in the Comox Valley and beyond for writing about food and events happening on Vancouver Island. We brought Hans in for a discussion on Flavour- The North Island Gourmet Picnic, which Hans was social media sponsor.  A segment on using social media to promote food tourism in the area during our visit was quite informative for the hosts. Thanks Hans for coming into studio and we look forward to having you in studio again to talk about upcoming 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!

Episode 17: Island Bison

As we mentioned last week in the Edible Valley, Jon and Blayne had the opportunity to visit Island Bison as part of the North Vancouver Island Chefs Associations meeting. We had a facinating tour and informative conversation with Mark Vance, owner of Island Bison. Mark, along with his wife Lisa and four children, and mother and father purchased Island Bison about a year and a half ago. With no farming background of this scale, just the dream and passion the farm is running successfully and they are having a great time with this new adventure. Bison are an amazing animal that was brought back from the brink of extinction. While the population is still a sliver of what it once was, it is being successfully farmed as alternative meat source to beef and farm raised venison. Thanks Mark for sharing your story. Check Island Bisons website at islandbison.com and you can find the product at the Saturday farmers market, Seeds grocery in Cumberland and Edible Island in Courtenay.

September 23rd- Flavour the North Vancouver Island Gourmet Picnic.  SOLD OUT. If you did not get a ticket for this years event, keep your eyes peeled for it again in 2013. I do believe the organizers are still looking for volunteers so this may be a way in. Contact them through the site. Visit the beautiful grounds of Coastal Black Winery and sample products from dozens of chefs and farmers from around the Comox Valley. Once again, Jon will be wearing many hats at this event. Blayne will be walking around and eating, what he does best! Island Soda Works will also be dishing out samples at this wonderful event.
October 5 and 6-The Foggy Mountain Fall Fair in Cumberland. Come for the pie of the year contest, apple sports, crafts, walking and biking tours and so much more. For more information check this link
The Comox Valley $100 dollar challenge. Join our initiative and help to keep dollars in the local economy.
Of course the Comox Valley Farmers Market twice weekly Saturday 9-12 at the Fair Grounds on Headquarters and Wednesday from 9-12 at the Comox Bay Farm.
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Thanks for listening to our podcast. For suggestions or feedback please contact us ediblevalley@gmail.com, "like" our facebook page and follow our twitter feed @ediblevalley