Local

  As promised, today we present to you the full recording of our culinary adventure at Clever Crow farm last week. Listen in for the deep dive into techniques, methods, and chef tricks and all of the laughs and great conversation had with our wonderful audience.

Today is the big day! We recap and review our cooking adventure at the Clever Crow farm, where  Chef Jonathon cooked a multi layered Germanic themed meal for a captive audience, who were ready to learn from the master.

Who better to redefine 'pizza' than the very farmer who grows/raises the ingredients? In this episode Jonathan, Darren and William meet with Jim from Jackknife Pizza. Jim has embarked on a journey to challenge our view of pizza by throwing out the playbook and starting from scratch. From aging the Pizza dough, tossing out the standbys, to a complete bottom up revolution on traditional flavour combinations, Jim has tapped into his extensive farming knowledge to bring a completely new pizza offering to the table. And we're all better for it.

In this episode Jonathan, Darren and William deep dive into all aspects of food and menu planning, from taking stock of what you have, too deciding how many meals you are planning for - it can all be so daunting but with the tips, tricks and even ‘Jon’s 6 step plan’ you’ll save time, waste less and eat better!

You asked ,we reply! A long time listener of The Edible Valley Podcast asked for tips on stir-fry’s. We took the opportunity to dig right in and discuss our favourite aspects and elements of this family classic.  Stay tune for an upcoming video of this podcast.

In today's episode, we discuss the pros and cons of dining both with, and without companions. Does it affect the experience? The food? The enjoyment? Listen in for Jonathan's, William's, and Darren's various takes' on the matter. 

Welcome to the Edible Valley Podcast. This is Episode 178, and today we are with Sharon Janzen from Alderlane Farmhouse Bakery. Sharon grew up in Vancouver and always had an entrepreneurial flair, spending a lot of her time making and selling things—starting with sling-style baby carriers, which she made and then sold across Canada. Then she moved to Thetis Island, as her husband got a new job at a children’s camp. Sharon decided to start experimenting with baking and selling cinnamon buns, thus laying the groundwork for the future Alderlane Farmhouse Bakery. In 2000 she moved to Vancouver Island. After gaining more baking experience, she saw an opportunity to sell goods from a wicker basket in the schools and businesses throughout the valley. She started by placing a basket in the staff room at Miracle Beach Elementary and Black Creek Elementary, where teachers and staff paid for goods using the honour system. She then quickly moved on to selling at offices, car dealerships, and dentists, operating the entire business just out of the back of her Volkswagen Jetta.  Word of her delicious baking spread throughout the valley, and people started asking Sharon if she was at any farmers’ markets. In response, she scaled up her business and started selling at the Comox Valley Farmers’ Market. Her husband, who is a crucial support, retrofitted her equipment with wheels so she could operate efficiently and continue to grow her business.  We have a lot to share with you about this incredible story of Canadian entrepreneurialism. Edible Valley is very proud to introduce Sharon Janzen. 

  On this episode, our guest Diane Jackson moved to the valley four years ago from Vancouver where she met her partner Andrew who along with Diane also had a huge passion and desire for a simpler way of life and to farm, they set out creating a list of things that needed to get done, starting with moving here and it is a list they continue to use today. But Diane's passion for all things local and farming can be traced much further back to her time in Toronto where she trained as a sommelier with the international sommeliers guild, …..armed with this knowledge and passion she went on to open a successful casual fine dining restaurant in Flesherton, an all season town of 800 people in rural Ontario.  But after many happy years she heard her province of BC calling her home and moved to Osoyoos where she was a sommelier before eventually heading home to Vancouver where she met Andrew and started her plans for what we now know as Fitzgerald Farms.    If you wish to learn more about the Farm here are a few easy way to contact Diane Address:  Fitzgerald Farm                  6499 Fitzgerald Road                 Courtenay BC, Canada Facebook: Fitzgerald Farm Email: dianejackson22@gmail.com Phone Number: 250-485-2487

What a great time we had talking to the owners of Tidal Cafe! Kurt and Blythe Reimer were exuberant, enthusiastic, and gracious guests on this episode the Edible Valley. Their passion for the Valley, good food, and building community bursts forth in everything they do. It's impossible to not get swept up in their energy and dedication to their craft!   Facebook: Tidal Cafe Instagram:Tidal Cafe

 With the easing off on Covid-19 restrictions, people are returning to their daily and weekly routines, including dining out. Jonathan and Darren discuss the process of returning to the restaurant industry under these new conditions, and also touch on what they’ve been doing in food during the closure.