2012-08

This week we chat with Beth Turner from North Island College, who is the co-founder of Flavour, The North Island's Gourmet Picnic. This event has been in the works since last summer and is coming to fruition, less than one month away. A little exert from Flavour's website:
"Our finest chefs, vintners, farmers and producers are invited to showcase their talents, support Vancouver Island culinary culture and educate our community.
Our Festival is aimed at families and foodies. The focus will be on personal experience and will highlight the tastes of the island. Participants will interact with chefs, local wineries, breweries and producers as they sample and learn about all our region has to offer."
With over 45 participating vendors, chefs teaming with farmers, breweries, restaurants, live music and a gorgeous setting, this family friendly event is sure to sell out. We have been looking forward to this event since Edible Valley was in its infancy. Thanks for taking time from your hectic schedule and letting us know all about the event Beth. We will see you out there.

A little sample of what is to come at Flavour.
Chefs Day at the Farmers Market September 8th. Come cheer Jon on as he helps to create from the bounty of the market.
September 23rd- Flavour the North Vancouver Island Gourmet Picnic. 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.
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.
If you are enjoying the podcast we would appreciate it if you would help us by hitting our donate button. Every little bit helps us to keep our hosting site paid up and maybe sponsor one of our pre-game meals.
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

This week we had the pleasure to interview a relative newcomer to the Edible Valley, Arzeena Hamir. While Arzeena is new to the area, she is no stranger to the food culture. She has been involved with many different organizations over the years, including West Coast Seeds, former co-ordinator of the Richmond Food Security Council, and many non-profit societies in the Richmond area. She just returned this past weekend from the Garlic Festival in Richmond, a festival that she helped found four years ago. She has used SPIN farming(Small Plot INtensive) successfully in Richmond, growing food for a C.S.A. in the community. It was a lovely conversation full of knowledge and experience.
Thanks so much for having a visit with us Arzeena, the Edible Valley is lucky to have you growing food and sharing your wisdom.
Follow Arzeena on Twitter @arzeena
Like Amara Farm on Facebook
Mt. Washington Food and Wine Festival August 25th
The Comox Valley Exhibition at the Fairgrounds in Courtenay
Chefs Day at the Farmers Market September 8th. Come cheer Jon on as he helps to create from the bounty of the market.
September 23rd- Flavour the North Vancouver Island Gourmet Picnic. 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.
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.
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

Tonight we had a wonderful visit with Chef Aaron Rail from Avenue Bistro. Aaron and Jon have been executive chefs at sister restaurants Atlas Cafe and Avenue Bistro and have worked on various event together over the years. Aaron has worked as a chef, baker, brewer, pastery chef and began his career in the industry at age 13 flipping burgers at a fast food establishment. Thanks for sticking to it Aaron, you have made a great addition to the Edible Valley.
I wanted to elaborate on our pre-game meal. We were lucky to have sausages donated by two different vendors for us to try. Heather McWilliam from Tanadice Farm wanted us to try their new blue cheese and pear pork sausage. I found the blue cheese very mild and it combines nicely with the pear. Thank you Tanadice Farm. Greg at Butchers Block sent Jon home with chorizo sausage, breakfast sausage and turkey kielbasa. All were delicious. I love sausage, and Jon also picked up a few varieties of Natural Pastures cheeses. An easy, local meal. Please support these and other local producers. These are our friends and neighbors, co-workers and customers. Keep it local.
Mt. Washington Food and Wine Festival August 25th
The Comox Valley Exhibition at the Fairgrounds in Courtenay
Chefs Day at the Farmers Market September 8th. Come cheer Jon on as he helps to create from the bounty of the market.
September 23rd- Flavour the North Vancouver Island Gourmet Picnic. 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.
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.
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
And the Campbell River Salmon Festival August 10, 11, and 12th. Visit Ray at the Fanny Bay Oysters display

This week we introduce Mandolyn McScandalot to Edible Valley. She is the proprieter and head Soda Jerk with Island Soda Works. She wows us with her knowledge of fermentation, lacto-bacteria and unique flavor blends. She brought four flavours into the studio for us to sample. This soda is a wonderful mix of a delicious beverage, healthy tonic and a vitamin rich alternative to sports drinks or other so called "vitamin" drinks. When mixed with alcohol her soda will ward off hangover and will give an energy boost when you want an alternative to caffeine. We at Edible Valley have been big fans of Island Soda Works for several months now and we encourage you to support her exclusive blends of soda and avoid the unmentionable ingredients in the mass produced soft drinks of North America. I know none of them have "love" as one of the ingredients.
Thanks Mandolyn for the soda and the fantastic conversation.
Upcoming Events

An old co-worker of Blayne joins us in studio for this episode to talk about oyster farming. Ray Silvey is the sales manager of Fanny Bay Oysters, and has been an employee since 1994. Ray is a very informed and educated guest with a mountain of knowledge in the industry. Come along and learn something about a delicious, sustainable product grown right in our own backyard.
We had a microphone problem that we didn't know about until the episode was finished, so Ray's voice is pretty faint. Listen close because there is a lot of interesting content that Ray shares with us.
Upcoming Events
Filberg Festival and Nautical Days August 3-6th.
Comox Valley Farm Cycle Tour August 11th and 12th. For a list of participating farms check this link
Mt. Washington Food and Wine Festival August 25th
Chefs Day at the Farmers Market September 8th. Come cheer Jon on as he helps to create from the bounty of the market.
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.
And the Campbell River Salmon Festival August 10, 11, and 12th. Visit Ray at the Fanny Bay Oysters display
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