Category Archives: Your Island Guide

Your guide to the best our islands have to offer.

06.28.11
by

Fernwood Bites Back

Fernwood Bites 2011
Fernwood Square
Victoria, BC
June 26, 2011

E: At the rate I was flying on a Sunday, the early evening couldn’t come any sooner. Expectations were very high between James and I for Fernwood Bites, and I must say, we weren’t disappointed. It helped us identify what the best of Fernwood is all about: locally grown products and innovation.

Aubergine Speciality Foods, a quaint grocery store, was our first stop and we were greeted with rustic tomatoes and Cherry Coke from Great Britain!

J: I was keeping my eyes on the groceries from the UK, the locally grown produce and those South African teas. But let’s not forget the baked goods and fair trade coffee. Mmmm, cookies with macadamia nuts.

I walked away with something for almost everyone in my family. My dad loved that Heirloom tomato.

While Ed rushed off after forgetting his wallet and apparently his pants too (he was flashing knees in khaki shorts), I took my mark near the Fernwood Bites starting line.

Continue reading →

06.26.11
by

Fernwood Bites 2011, this coming Sunday.

Well, not quite, but yes, James and I will kick-start the summer (at least) by attending Fernwood Bites 2011. This local event returns for its second year, and we’re already donning our bibs in preparation. I don’t know if I can convince James to sport a bonnet to celebrate his Scottish heritage, but we’ll see since this year’s event promises to have more wine tasting.

But for me, I’m looking forward to sampling what Kulu Restaurant, The Parsonage Cafe, Stage Wine Bar, and The Superior will offer. They’re just a few names out of the many that will be present.

And upon entry, I’ll most likely make a beeline to the Sea Cider Farm’s table. I bought a jar of hickory smoked sunflower seeds from them last year at the Organic Islands Festival and Sustainability Expo, and that barely survived a week. Although I don’t expect to see them selling a complete line of their other products, anything can happen. I’m already curious to see if I can find the elusive huckleberry when that Expo returns in 2012.

06.25.11
by

There’s Always Room for Bacon


Two Hungry Blokes will be getting our fill of Freybe’s back bacon courtesy of Thrifty Foods’ 8th Annual Back Bacon Breakfast. Bunwiches with back bacon, lettuce and tomato will be served to support the Queen Alexandra’s Jeneece Place and the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.

The event will take place on Thursday, June 30th from 6am – 10am at all Thrifty Foods’ stores.

05.31.11
by

Goldstream Station Market 2011

Saturdays
10 am – 2 pm
May 28 – October 22, 2011
Bryn Maur Rd.
Langford, BC

I welcomed the return of the Goldstream Station Market and not even the rain could dampen my spirits. Many familiar faces from the local farming community, as well as talented crafters, were on hand to hail the start of another great market year.

The Shriners’ Clown Unit were out in full force sans makeup for the sake of collecting for charities. And with their old train on site (actually it’s just a vehicle with a steam engine facade), one couldn’t help but marvel at this Victoria Day parade veteran. With a pitched tent out the back of the caboose, the Shriners were ready to deliver some barbecued goodies. Continue reading →

04.06.11
by

A Couple of Delicious Fundraisers

This one almost slipped my radar but thanks to Stephanie of Cupcakes & Sundry, I managed to home in on it. For those people who live in the greater Toronto area, this Sunday April 10th there were be multiple bake sales to help raise funds for the Japan earthquake victims. Some of the best bakers in the TO area will be selling off delicious goodies for only a fraction of the cost.

There is also live music and pieces of artwork will be auctioned off. Come out and show your support for those in need.

Stephanie of the Cupcakes and Sundry food blog will be selling her wares at the Liberty Noodle from 11am to 3 pm.

On Saturday, April 16th, the Langford Fire Hall #1 in Langford, British Columbia will be hosting a Book & Baked Goods Sale from 9am to 2pm. All proceeds go to support a family with one final wish.

Donations of monetary value or book sale items may be made by contacting Rebecca at 250-920-8433. Please only donate what would be sellable.

Special thanks for this fundraiser go to the Langford Fire & Rescue and the Langford Women’s Auxiliary.

02.15.11
by

Gung Hei Fat Boys

Jade Fountain Restaurant
3366 Douglas Street
Victoria, BC
(250) 383-8718


J: Ed, myself and professional photographer Qué Banh were to hold a proper Chinese New Year celebration but unfortunately Qué fell ill, leaving the monkeys to run the zoo.

We took two flights of stairs to the basement of the Red Lion Inn. A former ballroom-turned restaurant, Jade Fountain was populated. My reservation for Sunday brunch, made over half a week earlier, meant nothing. Instead, we were given a number and directed down a crowded ramp in the vicinity of the washrooms. Today it appeared, was not a good day to be of either Chinese descent or big boned. Fortunately I was only the latter. Ed and I played the child’s game of ‘Traffic Lights’ for a half hour, slowly making our way towards the dinning tables before our lucky 13 was finally called.

E: Be glad it wasn’t the unlucky number four. In Chinese or Japanese, the word has two meanings: either the number four or death. For the most part, it’s considered an unlucky number.

Continue reading →