Edible News + Notes: January 30, 2020

Photo from 1909 Kitchen Instagram page.

Island Accolades
 

Western Living Magazine recently announced their 2020 Foodies of the Year finalists. These 40 finalists include many influential Vancouver Island food and drink chefs and innovators. Our hats are off to you, finalists, and we wish you all luck in making the final top ten, which will be announced on March 7^th.

Andrew Mavor and Clark Deutscher (Chefs and Owners, Nowhere, Victoria) 
Bailey Williamson (Winemaker, Blue Grouse Estate Winery, Duncan, BC) 
Ben Anderson (Organizer, Bar Venner, Victoria)
D.L. Acken and Emily Lycopolus (Authors, Cedar and Salt, Salt Spring Island and Victoria)
Paul Moran (Chef, 1909 Kitchen, Tofino) 
Quinn Palmer and Michela Byl (Founders, Rootside Soda and the Esquimalt Wine Company, Esquimalt B.C.)
Robert Cassels (Chef, Saveur, Victoria)
Tarn and Toom (Chefs, Dumpling Drop, Victoria)
Warren Barr and Lily Verney-Downey (Chef and Owner, Pluvio, Ucluelet, B.C.)

To Do
 

Combat the winter blues by doing something different…like learning how to make cheese! Make Cheese with Paula offers classes in Nanaimo, Victoria and on Gabriola, where you can learn to make Parmesan, Asiago and more. Telling your dinner guests that you made the cheese they’re eating on that charcuterie board will definitely elicit some ooh’s and aah’s! Or consider hosting a cheese-making party in your home! 

And how is that New Year resolution to be more fit coming along? Well, here’s the perfect inspiration: get your sweat on and then get your drink on! Check out Sessions in Campbell River—a fully equipped spin studio that also features an artisanal taproom and kitchen. Go for a spin and then stay for a drink and a dish to refuel. (And stay tuned for a Comox Valley opening in the spring/summer!)

New Places
 

We’ve got a great date night idea for you: check out North Island College’s pop-up restaurant at The Park at Crown Isle on a Thursday or Friday night. Here, hospitality students are given the opportunity to work with Chef Jonathan Frazier in order to sharpen their skills with real customers. It’s a great way for the Comox Valley to enjoy tasty, locally prepared food and support Island students. But the restaurant is only open until March 6^th and seats fill quickly, so plan your date night ahead of time and reserve your table by emailing tourism@nic.bc.ca.

There’s a new boutique craft distillery making waves on the island with their handcrafted spirits made with B.C. grain. Misguided Spirits in Parksville offers direct sales from the distillery, so be sure to stop by and check out their location (and leave with a bottle of their small batch vodka in hand, of course!)

Closing 
 

Sadly, the Island has said goodbye to two local Vancouver Island businesses. The Livet restaurant in Victoria closed this month, with their last day of service having been on the 17^th. 

Island Bakery in Cobble Hill, which has been producing fresh bread for its customers for 38 years, decided to close their doors at the end of January. The store will be open until February 10^th in order to sell their day-old breads, so stop by for one last loaf and say goodbye.