Local

On Sat. May 26 at Locals Restaurant, Canadian celebrity Chef Ned Bell headlined a special gourmet "estuary luncheon" to benefit Project Watershed's partnership with the K'omoks First Nation to restore the old sawmill site on the Courtenay River. Returning this land back to nature will help save local wild salmon populations in one of BC's top chinook estuaries - and fundraising is essential to "unpave a parking lot and put up paradise". As founder of Chefs for Oceans and the Executive Chef of OceanWise, Chef Ned Bell wants his food to start conversations about supply choices, creative and sustainable seafood options, and working together for a healthier future. We also spoke with Lesley Stav, President of the North Vancouver Island Chefs Association; Tim Ennis, Executive Director of the Comox Valley Land Trust and Project Manager for the Kus-kus-sum initiative; Chef Ronald St. Pierre of Locals; and Vanessa Scott, a writer, community organizer and volunteer with Project Watershed. 

This week the boys have the chance to catch up and talk with each other. Darren takes time to go over of few of his favourite places around the valley that he has had the chance to visit in the last little while. If your looking for a new spots or revisiting an old one ,you may have to check out this episode. With over 100 places around to visit we chat about restaurants, pubs, food trucks, cafes and more.  Jonathan also drops some hints of his next venture.

 There are those places in town where I ask myself “How did I not know about this sooner”? We take  a drive up to Forbidden Plateau to talk with Martina & Max of Wood Mountain Lodge . Do not let their not too distant location keep you away from this breathtaking gem. This Vancouver Island boutique style lodge and spa includes a full commercial kitchen and is open to the public on weekends. They are working towards creating an environment which will encourage a creative yet down to earth experience. Wood Mountain Lodge is a spot to get inspired and find an excuse to invite a bunch of family and friends to come out for a good time and enjoy the beauty and bounty of the Comox Valley.
 

It's time to quench your thirst! We are lucky enough to have Jessica Macpherson of Heavenly Libations come to the studio to talk about shrubs. What’s a shrub, you ask? You'll have an to listen to Jessica explain their make up, history and flavours. From sodas to cocktails, this old school way of preserving will touch your taste buds

Today we bring back two of our very first guests on the podcast: Lia and BrianMcCormick.  We always like catching up with our old neighbours, and this episode is no exception. The Clever Crow duo run a farm filled with ducks and chickens; a store featuring the ever popular and locally produced hand harvested salts; cooking classes; and soon a commercial kitchen. 

Finally!! We have a chance to talk with Michael Vossen, our local mushroom man and forager. This is our opportunity to pick Michaels brain on; where to pick? what to pick? what you can grow? and some precautions when picking. We also learn about what he has at the market from fresh to dried. Hope this get you excited about mushroom whether cooking or picking we get the chance to learn Mushrooms. 

This episode 150 we are lucky enough to have Shannon Simpson from Shannon’s Tool Box and Huband Salad bar fame to discuss the joys of food labels. We take time to learn not just what the ingredients are but what they mean from serving sizes, fat to sugar and everything in between. We also have some helpful suggestions of what you should be eating. After listening here is a list of the Dirty Dozen; Strawberries, Apples, Nectarines, Peaches, Celery, Grapes, Cherries, Spinach, Tomatoes, Sweet bell peppers, Cherry tomatoes, and Cucumbers. Hope this can help you plan your next meal.

 
 With the new year upon us Darren and Jonathan spend time discussing 2017 and the events surrounding it. This is a chance for the two to reminisce about the previous year. From farming to food banks, they discuss all the interesting events and people they had the fortune of meeting. Darren and Jonathan also spend some time planning for upcoming food challenges, topics, and their ability to interview and learn more in the upcoming year. Feel free to join with us.

On this week's episode we have the wonderful oppurtunity of sitting down with Shannon Simpson and Caroline Fisher and talking about the amazing salad bar program and Huband Elementary. This program provides a healthy nutritious meal available to all the students for a low cost. Students help portion it, serve it, and importantly not waste anything. Grab a plate and dive in with us as we learn about this program and how you could start it in your own school.

Allain Lepine from 'Island of Eden Farms' joins Chef Jonathan and Darren tonight to talk about their use of hydroponics to grow local greens and veggies. Starting their farm within a 2.5m x 2.5m x 12m space, they make great use of newer farming techniques, such as vertical and horizontal farming. With the ablility to produce fresh greens year long, and no need of pesticides or herbicides. Listen in to learn more!   

Lucky us! Tonight, we get to talk to Eduardo Uranga and Thierry Vrain (and Ivan Loubier) of the CCAC - The Community Created Agricultural Co-op. An ambitious venture - they aim to acquire agricultural land to grow pesticide and antibiotic free foods for 300 families. Listen in and see just how far they've come, how well planned and sourced this project is, and how you can still get involved before it's too late! 

After teasing for the last few episodes, we finally spill the beans. A long-table dining experience in downtown Courtenay is coming up this Sunday evening and you're invited! The dinner will be on Duncan avenue, between 5th street and 6th street (there are just a handful of tickets left!). We're inviting you to experience some of the finest food the Comox Valley has to offer. Our own Chef Jonathan Frazier has created a 4 course menu reflecting the essence of the Valley itself - it's truly inspiring. Dawn Postnikoff of West Coast Gourmet is organizing this inaugural event and joins us on this episode. The ever amazing Connie Earl sits in as well to reveal pairings, inspirations and other sneak previews. We're all so excited! We hope you are too!
 
Sunset on the Street Long Table Dinner Downtown Courtenay Sunday, September 17th 5:00 pm 4 Course Gourmet Dinner paired with Local Spirits & Wines. Live Music with Easy Street. $100 The Downtown Courtenay