Producer

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Finally after a long wait: Flavour - The North Vancouver Island Picnic! We were lucky to have Darren walk the grounds of Flavour while recording interviews with many exibitors and guest to find out who they were, what they brought and why they were there. Please enjoy, we sure did.

Today Chef Jonathan Frazier and Darren Howlett had the wonderful opportunity to sit with Vickey Brown of the Comox Valley Farmers Market, Sue Smith formerly of Beyond the Kitchen Door and Chef/President Leslie Stav of North Vancouver Island Chef's Assosciation. In a lively discussion about the direction and future of Comox Valley Farmers Markets, we discuss the growth and continued trends towards supporting (and eating) local and the connection between our local Chefs and the Market. 

As you know, we love nothing more than to shine a light on any homegrown Comox Valley foods, products, farmers and producers as we can. It’s the reason we do what we do. Tonight we have Greg Wilson and James McKerricher of The Butcher’s Block in studio. Now, we don’t throw around phrases like ‘pillar of the community’ or ‘interwoven in the history of theComox Valley’ very often – but both stand true here. At 25+ years in the Valley, it’s of a small handful of food businesses that are wholly Comox Valleyian (we’re making up words today, that’s the kind of day it is); and have the tenure. Tonight we get to the heart of ‘why?’. Why have they been successful? Why here? Why sell what they sell? Listen in to this feel-good episode and let us know what you think as we reminisce over the last 25 years of the Valley, and talk about simply great food

#100 – We did it! We hit our first major milestone with episode 100. Passing this threshold would have felt off if we had anyone other than Mr. Blayne Prowse as our guest. There would not have been an episode100 without him. There would not have been an episode 1 without him!
 
Jon, Darren and Blayne take this opportunity to reflect on the podcasts beginnings and through it’s hurdles, adjustments,refinements and victories. They also speak to where EdibleValley is heading for the next 100 episodes – format, guests, and changes. Listen in and find out some of their favorite episodes, some that may have been a little more challenging and some that changed their lives entirely.
 
Thanks for tuning in. We share this milestone with you, our cherished audience. Thank you!

Nancy Farey – the Mustard Lady! Nancy sits in with Chef Jonathan Frazier and Darren Howlett to discuss arguably the best condiment in the world, mustard! Nancy started her small business out of her kitchen some years ago with a few key mustard flavors in hand, to disperse among friends. Now you can find 11 regular mustards, and some special or seasonal ones too, all up and down the island. Listen in on her journey from finding a post retirement hobby to creating an Island wide food business! 

Well aren't we lucky? We get to sit down with Mr Ivan Loubier of Ivan's Truffles once again. Chef Jonathon Frazier and Darren Howlett talk flavour, ambition, audience and truff-cicles with Ivan all over again. It's interesting to see how his buisiness has developed as he has set his roots and gained a firm footing here in the Valley. Listen in and let us know what you think!
                                                            

Switching gears for this episode, we invited a few friends (Arzeena Hamir and Blayne Prowse) to discuss the issue of rising produce costs. Specifically, 'How did we get here?', and 'What can we do about it?'.  We are living in a time when our current models are starting to fail us, and new models, or outright change from the ground up is required. It was an illuminating chat with some great ideas and options, and an interesting new format for the Edible Valley. We hope to pepper in a few of these throughout the year - let us know what you think!

Today we check back in with wonder-couple Brian and Leah of Clever Crow and Clever Crow Farms. There have been many exciting developments with these two in their forays into the local food scene and local food culture; including buying a farm (!) and developing a commercial kitchen / retail shop (!!). Listen in as we get a chance to discuss the last two years with these two - their struggles, achievements and victories! Oh, and the debut of a new product that truly speaks to the Comox Valley's sensibilities...  Don't forget to visit Clever Crow at the Farmer Market which has now moved inside to the Native Sons Hall.

Doug
Smith of Natural Pastures was gracious enough to join us tonight to discuss
cheese! As one of the Comox Valley’s cornerstone food producers that help put
our humble, beautiful Valley on the map, Doug is one of those key talents that
took a small business idea, and turned it into a national brand! He walks us
through the process of getting started, growing to fit your market, and
establishing yourself amongst your peers. We had a great time with Doug – who is
just a wealth of information of Valley history, business planning and above
all: Cheese!

Allen McWilliam of Tannadice Farms sat down with Chef Jon and Darren in the studio today. Allen treated us to the background story of how the farm has grown from its' humble beginnings to the cornerstone-of-the-valley it has become. Humble and gracious, he shared a loving history of the Valley, and was able to relate his unique view on the farming scene here and how it has evolved and grown over the years. And he brought sausages!

 Today we sat down with
the lovably quirky Allison MacKenzie of Dark Side Chocolates. Allison discussed how she sort of 'fell into' the business, the merits of good dark chocolate
over mass produced cheaper chocolate, and finding new flavour combinations. We
also touched upon the ups and downs of being a small business in the Comox Valley
and all that comes with it.Dark Side Chocolates
P.O. Box 1119, 
2722 Dunsmuir Avenue
Cumberland, B.C. V0R 1S0
Phone: 250-336-0126
Website: http://darksidechocolates.com
Facebook:
Dark Side Chocolates

 Today, we got to sit down with Layne and Brenda of 40 Knots Winery. We had a wonderful time discussing not just their wine making, but what lead them down the road to wine making as a career. But beyond that, we talked about their impressive community involvement - the 40 knots social calendar is downright exhausting! And as you know, we love getting a chance to speak with community minded businesses!  
Web: http://www.40knotswinery.com
 
Email:  infoat40KnotsWinery@gmail.com
Phone: (250)
941-8810
 
Address is: 40 KNOTS WINERY
2400 Anderton Road,
Comox, BC V9M 4E5
Open Thursday - Sunday, 11:30 am - 5:30
pm (and most statutory holidays)