Sip and Savour, March 27, 2014 in Sidney BC. One of the aspects of social media I have enjoyed the most since 2009 has been the opportunity to connect with individuals locally who I might not have met otherwise. This is the case with Steven Duck of TIDES Group (The Island's Destination and Event Service). Steve has a long history of guiding hiking, biking and gourmet tours—here on Vancouver Island, in BC, and also further afield in Italy, … [Read more...]
Treasured Holiday Traditions – Tourtière
December 21, 2012 By 6 Comments
In honour of my grandmother Marion, and my mom (her daughter-in-law) Cassy. Christmas would not be Christmas in our household without Tourtière. My dad came from Québec, and my grandmother would serve it every Christmas Eve, right after Midnight Mass. In time, my own mother learned to make tourtière, and eventually I followed the tradition. Like many cherished recipes, the one for Tourtière is highly debated; every region of Québec has … [Read more...]
Cowichan Wine and Culinary Festival September 8-16, 2012
August 31, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Summer will soon be over, but there is still the opportunity to enjoy the last few days of sun, and revel in the culinary bounty this season brings. A short drive north of Victoria lays “The Warm Land”. The wineries and food producers of the Cowichan Valley have once again united to present the 8th annual Wine and Culinary Festival September 8th – 16th. Marsha, Wine Taster at Damali Winery The festival begins with a Grape Stomp at the … [Read more...]
Greek Fest, August 28th – September 3rd, Victoria BC
August 28, 2012 By 1 Comment
As summer slowly wends its way to a close, and the nights get a touch cooler, we have one last opportunity to experience the warmth of distant, sunnier climes. Perhaps you haven't had the chance to vacation in Greece this year, but you can definitely experience the hospitality of the local Victoria Greek community during the 11th annual Greek Fest, September 28th - September 3rd. I don't know how this well-attended local festival has remained … [Read more...]
Royal Tea at the Fairmont Empress to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee
July 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment
When Executive Chef Kamal Silva was appointed to the Fairmont Empress Hotel, one of his very first decisions was to establish honey bee hives in the garden. (You can read more about the arrival of the Queen Bee in May 2011 here) Fairmont Empress Executive Chef, Kamal Silva, and Director of Food and Beverage, Nathan Pearce Now, a little over a year later, the bees have produced thousands of pounds of honey, and Chef Silva is incorporating it … [Read more...]
Shakespeare’s Great Monologues Monday May 21 at The Well
May 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment
KeepItSimple Theatre Productions and THE WELL Café & Arts Venue present William Shakespeare's Great Monologues (an interactive evening of monologues, dialogues, and great food) Monday May 21, 2012 at 7pm. Keep it Simple was founded by Artistic Director David Christopher, Ryan Levis, and Marianne Christopher in 2011, and has focused on Shakespeare's histories. Here's a chance to hear some of Shakespeare's iconic monologues. THE WELL … [Read more...]
Why is YOUR business using social media?
January 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment
In 2012, social media is ubiquitous. Many consumers count on the recommendations of their friends for their purchasing decisions. I'm no different. For this first day of the year, we were on a mission - a walk at Island View Beach, followed by nachos. I did what I often do - sent out a request via Twitter. This is the result. View the story "Why is YOUR business using social media?" on Storify] … [Read more...]
A Weekend At Merridale Cider – Field to Table Dinner
November 7, 2011 By 3 Comments
What a welcome! We were greeted in the CiderHouse at Merridale Estate Cidery by name, even though we'd never met Maria before. She led us down the path to our home for the night - one of two yurts. On a previous visit to the Cowichan Valley, for Gourmet Gala, we'd been very impressed by the offerings from the cidery - flavourful artichoke dip, crusty breads baked in their own wood-fired brick oven, cider samples, and a taste of the new … [Read more...]
Gourmet Gala in the Cowichan Valley
September 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment
We're thrilled to be guests of Gourmet Gala taking place in the Cowichan Valley Saturday October 1st, as a fundraiser of the Duncan Chamber of Commerce for a new regional visitor information centre. It's only in recent years that I've come to know the valley better. As a child growing up in Ucluelet, with grandparents in Victoria, there was no time for dawdling on the 6 hour trek between the two spots. … [Read more...]
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