Vancouver Island

In the latest episode of The Edible Valley Podcast, hosts Jonathan Frazier and William Stringer are joined by Mary-Jane Douglas, co-owner of Ridgewood Farm in Merville and an active member of the BC Cattlemen’s Association. Mary-Jane shares insights into her commitment to raising beef, eggs, and pork with sustainable practices, which are offered at the Comox Valley Farmer’s Market. She also highlights her excitement for “Burger It Forward,” a Canada-wide initiative launched by Canada’s beef farmers to support community restaurants and food banks. Last year, the campaign raised over $67,000, and organizers aim to expand BC’s participation in 2025. Mary-Jane encourages Vancouver Island restaurants to get involved, emphasizing the pride local farmers feel in supporting this community giveback program.

In Episode 229 of The Edible Valley Podcast, hosts Chef Jonathan Frazier and William Stringer delve into the fascinating world of oysters, focusing on their significance in Pacific Northwest cuisine and the unique farming methods used in Vancouver Island. From discussing the rich history of oysters in the region to exploring the pristine waters surrounding Vancouver Island and their impact on flavor, Chef Jonathan and William provide valuable insights into the cultivation, cooking techniques, and wine pairings for these delectable shellfish. Join them on a culinary journey as they uncover the secrets of these ocean delicacies.
 
Classic Mignonette sauce is a simple and flavorful accompaniment for fresh oysters, known for its tangy and slightly sweet taste. Here's a traditional recipe for making Mignonette sauce:
Ingredients:
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons finely minced shallots
1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Optional: a pinch of salt to taste
Instructions:
In a small bowl, combine the red wine vinegar, finely minced shallots, cracked and black pepper,. Stir well to mix all the ingredients together.
Taste the Mignonette sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary. If desired, add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the Mignonette sauce for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Before serving, give the Mignonette sauce a final stir to ensure all the ingredients are well combined.
To serve, spoon a small amount of the Mignonette sauce over freshly shucked oysters on the half-shell just before eating. Alternatively, serve the Mignonette sauce alongside the oysters in a small dish for dipping.
Mignonette sauce is best when made fresh and served immediately, but it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week in an airtight container. Give the sauce a quick stir before using it to refresh the flavors.
Feel free to customize the Mignonette sauce to your taste preferences by adjusting the quantities of shallots, black pepper, . Some variations include adding minced fresh herbs such as parsley, chives, or tarragon for added flavor complexity.

We are back! In this ‘3-3-1’ episode, your ‘3’ presenters Jonathan, Darren and William are back together! We also have 3 great guests, and 1 HUGE suprise! Join us for one episode of the Edible Valley Podcast you cant afford to miss!
 
Locals at the Old House stays Local
  When Chef Ronald and Tricia St Pierre started Locals 13 years ago, they set out to create a restaurant that highlighted the range and depth of amazing foods grown and produced in the Comox Valley, sourcing as many local ingredients as possible. Within a scant few years, the restaurant was so successful, that they needed to find a larger location.
   Serendipity stepped in, as the very restaurant that Chef Ronald established his esteemed reputation in, ‘The Old House’, had come available. Since then, the restaurant has been cemented as the Heart of Vancouver Island. 
   Chef Jonathan, Darren, Sean and Erin all grew up in this community, and the North Island, and all have strong backgrounds in food and hospitality. Aside from being a celebrated Chef of the Comox Valley for over 20 years, Jonathan started the Edible Valley podcast 10 years ago to get to the heart of the food he was featuring in all of his dishes, and the people behind that food. Darren quickly joined with his perspective as a hospitality-centered entrepreneur. Between the two of them, they have run, operated, and owned many key Comox Valley hospitality and food based establishments. 
  Sean made his mark in Vancouver Island hospitality by running the largest dining and entertainment venue in Victoria, and other successful restaurants for nearly a decade. His wife and partner is a Marketing, branding, and design professional, with experience in both in the public and private sectors – including hospitality. All 4 are eager to ply their trades and talents to further Locals’ reach.
  With a love of the menu, the atmosphere, and the culture, the new owners have no intent of changing anything, except to present the best and most polished version of Locals that it can be. A touch of modernization, a little experimentation, the introduction of a Market  Sheet – featuring  new items that highlight the best of what is available a la minute, Local’s will be the same but better.
  They wish Ronald and Tricia all the best in their retirement – although they won’t be straying too far, as they are making themselves available to mentor the crew where required.      
They invite you down to the restaurant to meet them yourself – or make a reservation today at 250-338-6493
   
 
 

Our listeners asked for it, and now we are doing it, this show is about BURGERS. Everybody likes burgers right? But are all burgers equal? In this episode of the Edible Valley Podcast we break down to the minutest detail everything that makes a good burger, from the protein, the best cut of meat, the bread, sauces and even toppings. This episode will you the key to making the burger this is guarantee to satisfy even the fussiest palate. 

After a trip to the local grocery store, Darren asks the question “What’s up with climbing food prices?” Jonathan, Darren and William dive into this one and on this episode we spend time talking about some of the effects that are driving up prices. We discuss from pandemics to wars and all the things in between. We try and answer what is happening in the market and we may even have a few things that can help you save a little money at the end of the day.  

  I’ve had a plan to get back in shape for quite some time. For the last five years or so I’ve slowly added a few pounds every trip around the sun, and now it’s noticeably impeding my enjoyment of life.   As I set about to take this seriously, Covid hit. Talk about bad timing. I was instantly in survival mode, and brushed my big plan aside.   As everything relaxes into a new normal, this is my opportunity to get back in shape, starting with eating healthy and getting out for some fresh air and exercise in our beautiful Valley.

We had such an enjoyable time today with esteemed Chef Stephanie (or 'Chefanie', as her friends and colleagues call her). Listen in to how this Montreal native fell in love with food, coastal living, and B.C. - and how the pursuit of those loves impacted and informed her unorthodox, amazing, and enviable career in food!
 
Cheffanie thrives on reconnecting diners to the land while celebrating the hardworking hands that feed us; the farmer’s bounty, the artisan’s craftsmanship, the fisherman’s catch. Backyard table elevates the farm-to-table experience & offers only the best and freshest of what is seasonally available, encouraging consumers to slow down and savour every bite – a practice we can implement daily. With ideals rooted in providing outstanding local and sustainable ingredients, we treat our food with love and respect.
Cheffanie backyard Kitchen
604-813-5136
backyardtable@cheffanie.com

In this tip-packed episode, Jonathan, Darren and William will guide you though the biggest pitfalls of Christmas meals. From when to begin preparation, to surprisingly simple hacks that can take your turkey to the next level, if you are hosting a big festive meal or just a small gathering, this is a must listen!

 
  The exuberant and lovely Maya Varela sits in today to tell us all about her amazing vegetarian meal service, L.I.V.E.
  As a Red Seal Chef, she’s delivering high end cuisine to your doorstep - which has been incredibly well-received. Listen in as we walk through her first year+ of starting a new business during such adverse times.
Facebook : Locally Inspired Vegetarian Eat

It's that time of year again where food preservation is on everyone's mind. We're gathering and harvesting the last of our summer bounty to store through the winter. Today's episode touches on the pros and cons of all of the major food preservation techniques - and a special guest weighs in with some great tips!