Chili Cook-off
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Veterans Memorial Park
Langford, BC
I’ll be attending the Rotary Club of West Shore’s 6th annual event. $5 will let you sample chili of all the competing teams and allow you to vote. Proceeds will go to local projects and the Goldstream Food Bank. I hope to see many of you there.
Unfiltered Fireweed Honey
Sea Bluff Farm
565 Wootton Rd.
Metchosin, BC
(250) 590-7415
Much can be said about consuming the golden smoothness of unfiltered fireweed honey. I purchased a large bottle ($20) from Sea Bluff Farm and I hope there’s enough to last me awhile. I could see the lighter yellow of the honey inside the mason jar. To me, unfiltered means all natural, including all the stuff the bees leave behind, so why mess with a good thing?
While Fireweed is considered the most sought after honey available, I definitely wouldn’t ignore other types. The taste of honey can vary depending on the region and the process used by the beekeeper.
Since I’m British in descent, I decided to have my first taste by using the tried and true toast with tea method: A cup of Red Rose and two slices of buttered toast. I spread a good amount of honey on my toast but I refrained from drowning the two slices. With unfiltered fireweed honey (or at least with Sea Bluff’s) you need to avoid being overpowered by the natural sweetness. The delicate taste will trick you.
I settled in for a bit of heaven. I quietly wondered if bees have tea breaks? Has a bee ever been fired for dipping into the company vat? Do ants go to discos? The strange things one thinks when under the influence of tea and honey.
Shopper’s Tip: When purchasing honey in the province of B.C., it is always a good idea to support our own bee keepers by purchasing their products.
For more information on local beekeepers or beekeeping visit the Capital Region Beekeepers Association.
E: The community of Fernwood is a really nice place to visit, and I really wish I lived here. I feel right at home, and just attending their inaugural foodie fest is just temptation in action. Especially with all the good restaurants located here. To name a few, there’s Lucy’s In the Square, the Cornerstone Cafe, Fernwood Inn and Stir it Up. And all of them didn’t disappoint at this event.
J: And don’t forget the wonderful Little Piggy, Ed. I definitely felt very comfortable among the crowd. I talked with people I didn’t know, bumped into those I did and enjoyed the very social atmosphere that was Fernwood Bites. I’ll be planning a return. Aubergine is just one of a a few businesses that really caught my attention. They’re also highly regarded too.
Spinnakers Brew Pub
308 Catherine Street
Victoria West, BC
(250) 384-2739
What’s in an essence—the flavour? the spirit within? Perhaps it’s the divine force that’s unique to each and every soul.
In this case, it’s what’s unique to each and every ingredient. Spinnaker’s prides themselves in locally grown and produced products, and while I stopped by to purchase tickets to the coming Island Chefs’ Collaborative 3rd annual food festival, Defending our Backyard, I couldn’t help but notice they were selling ice cream too, at $6 per 12 oz tub.
The Reef
533 Yates St.
Victoria, BC
(250) 388-5375
E: Avast ye mates! Shiver me timbers and gimme a beach to land on. Where I be today is at the Reef. In the Caribbean and ready to sample some rye. But, it’s really a bottle of rum that I seek.
J: Add tasteful mosaic tiles, one lifeless parrot (Monty Python sketch not included) and a bar that’d you expect at a beach, that’s only scratching the surface.
I rather enjoyed this place and I grooved to reggae music (or maybe my pants were too tight). Our friendly and helpful waitress even had that cock-eyed attitude that I love. If Blackbeard walked by and asked to use the little pirate’s room, I wouldn’t have batted an eye.
Victoria Highland Games & Celtic Festival
Topaz Park
Victoria, BC
It’s the weekend that Summer officially begins and I had a choice of geeking out at a Steampunk convention or heading to the 147th Victoria Highland Games & Celtic Festival. I’m glad I did the latter because I’m dying for an opportunity to try haggis. Sadly, there was none to be found but plenty to toss about.
I could’ve ran out to the field to catch one, but I’m sure I’d be recreating a moment from Braveheart with angry Scots chasing after me. With no James in sight to catch the ball, I’m just gonna get plummeled.
Yes, there was Scottish food to be found, but not of the variety that I hoped. I can certainly understand that it’s impossible to predict how many pieces are haggis are needed to feed a hungry mass of people, and rationing would be required. But this isn’t the Blitz.
But at least I didn’t come out disappointed. I made some inquiries and was told haggis can be bought locally in the Brentwood Bay area.
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