food

Tonight Chef Jonathon Frazier and Darren Howlett had the great fortune of sitting down with Hans Peter Meyer, reknown local food reviewer and Comox Valley commerce enthusiast (for lack of a better term). As of late, Hans has become better known for hisambitious efforts to get the Comox Valley on the map, so-to-speak, with his "Making Shift Happen" and #WeAreYQQ.  Both are efforts to
shine a light on small businesses and their growth within the valley howthey impact our local economy. It was very difficult to contain this episode to just a half hour so promises have been made to explore this further. Take a listen and let us know what you think - we would love to hear your ideas and comments.

Arzeena Hamir of Amara Farms, Merville Organics and
many others organizations came into the Edible Valley studio today to talk
organics. Arzeena is a noted food activist from Richmond BC who relocated to
the Valley years ago to establish a farm. An authority on organics and
sustainability, she is the driving force behind Merville Organics - a group of farmers upholding high standards for collective organic farming. It was
great just to hear her take on the entire process and where organic food is
heading here in the Valley. We look forward to checking in with Arzeena on a
regular basis to see how things develop for organic farming here in the Comox
Valley. 
Amara Farm 
2631 Kirby Rd,
Courtenay, BC V0R,
Canada
Phone:
(250) 331-0543
Website: http://mervilleorganics.ca/
Email: mervilleorganics@gmail.com
Facebook: Amara Farm
                  Merville Organics
 

Chef Jonathan Frazier and
Darren Howlett are back this week  to reflect on the last few shows and
catch up, as they have actually not seen each other in a month. They also look forward to the next few weeks and months, and talk what's coming
up (or not coming up) in the next while for food in the Valley. 

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

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

Tonight is a very special episode of the Edible Valley Podcast. As you may know, Chef Jonathan and Darren both work at the Atlas Cafe and although this podcast is not affiliated with Atlas, Trent and Sandra have given us endless support for what we do. Tonight, we've brought them into the studio to discuss everything, including Atlas's 20th anniversary which is right around the corner - April 24th! We dig back into the past and find out the secret history and origins of one of Courtenay's longest running restaurants, and touch on some of the hurdles that can be found along the way to running a successful restaurant. Cheers Atlas, and here's to 20 more.Atlas Café is located in the hub of Downtown Courtenay.
http://atlascafe.ca
Email: eat@atlascafe.ca
Phone:250-338-9838
Address is:
Atlas Café
250 6th Street
Courtenay, BC V9N 1M1
HOURS of OPERATION
8:30am to 9:30pm    Tuesday through Thursday
8:30am to 10pm       Friday and Saturday
8:30am to 3:30pm    Sunday
Closed                      Monday
breakfast is served until 2pm on
weekends.
Closed
on most public holidays

  This week the boys are back in studio with Max Oudendag of the White Whale Public House and Oyster Bar. Chef Jon and Darren talk to Max about opening a new restaurant in the current Valley climate - its' ups, its' downs, and everything in between. They discuss future plans, missed steps and forging forward. And of course, the bounty of the Beautiful Comox Valley, and why this restaurant thrives in this specific environment. For more info:WHITE WHALE PUBLIC HOUSEhttp://whitewhalecourtenay.caOpen :11:30 am – late, 7 days a weekADDRESS975 Comox RoadCourtenay, British Columbia V9N 3P7PHONE :250-338-1468

Chef Jon and Darren are at it again, this time sitting down with Paul DeRidder of Beez Kneez Catering. It's hard not to reminisce of days past when we all worked together at the Atlas Cafe. Once we get past that, we dig down into Paul's preference of catering over cooking for a restaurant, and how quickly he adapted to the change. We also talk about the freedom that comes from stepping out into your own venture.

The dynamic duo of Chef Jon and Darren talk with Fred Smith of Tin Town Tacos. We discuss the process of getting into the local food culture scene from the ground floor, and the difficulties and hiccups along the way. We also discuss our upcoming, sold-out Tin Town Table private dining experience, hosted by Fred, with Chef Jon and Darren making the 6 course meal. Give it a listen - we'd love some feedback!

Today we bring you up to speed on the original co-host of the Edible Valley. Blayne Prowse left the podcast nearly two years ago, after an interview on this very show. During an interview based on permaculture, it resonated with him so astutely that after the taping, he began to dig deeper, and opted to pursue a life of permaculture and sustainable living. 
  We are very privileged and proud to bring you up to speed on Blayne's findings and adopted lifestyle. 
  Tell us what you think - we would love to hear from you!

  Ivan Loubier of IvansTruffles.com stopped by the studio to share his wares with  Jonathan and Darren of the Edible Valley. This was one of those rare treats where the interview was based on rare treats! The hosts discussed with Ivan the difficulties of starting a micro business - then completely uprooting and relocating! He further goes into having to cater to an entirely new clientele after essentially starting over.
  Ivan touches on his current successes, his favourite triumphs and a glimpse into his newest confection that he swears is going to revolutionize chocolate! Get caught up in the obvious and evident passion of the newest Edible Valley podcast!

Chef Jonathan Frazier and Local Food Entrepreneur Darren Howlett get a chance to sit down with Grace Obal of Bates Beach Farms, to talk about all of the wonderful things happening in the local farming scene during this incredible summer of amazing crop yields. Grace relates to us how her and her husband developed this special little farm, tucked away in an incredibly beautiful and lesser known area of the Comox Valley. What began as a rock filled swamp (seriously - take a listen!), was worked and reworked with love and determination into an incredibly verdant and bountiful farm. She also divulges the inside scoop on a few secret (and amazing) projects she and her husband are developing for her farm, the local youth and our community! Take a listen!