Edible News + Notes: June 1, 2020
New “Normal”
Many restaurants are figuring out what a new “normal” looks like, and Ox Chophouse in Campbell River has decided to take this time as an opportunity to redesign their menu, kitchen and dining room. They are closed for the summer while they implement these changes, with a plan to reopen in the fall.
Districts all around the Island are making it easier for social distancing to remain in effect while dining out by offering patio/sidewalk dining options. Courtenay, Nanaimo, Langford and Sidney city councils have all approved temporary patio expansion programs in their downtowns for restaurants. And Ace Brewing in Courtenay recently received approval to open a new patio that will seat up to 68 people.
We love seeing the creativity that has come through this time, and one business that has pivoted to a new format at least for the time being is RnR Diner in Saanichton. The restaurant has brought back a model popular in decades past: the drive-in restaurant. Sit back in the comfort of your own car and enjoy the unique experience of having your dinner delivered on a tray right to your vehicle door.
B.C. Farmer’s markets have continued the sale of food items during the pandemic, with many restrictions in place to help limit the spread of COVID-19. But as of the end of May, Dr. Bonnie Henry has lifted a couple of those restrictions, allowing merchandise and non-food items to resume sales and permitting food consumption at tables again.
Off The Eaten Track has launched a series of online foodie experiences in Victoria for those not ready to venture out yet. The Brown Bag Food Tours are a collection of dishes from local restaurants and foodie businesses that are delivered safely to either a home or hotel room. The bags contain between 5–7 dishes including bao buns, hand pies, bread, charcuterie, and more. The cost ranges from $80-$120 which includes delivery and a $5 donation to a local charity.
And when Boom + Batten in Victoria reopens their doors for dine-in service on June 3, you might see a new face in the kitchen, as they have recently welcomed new Executive Chef, Matt Cusano.
Kudos
Kudos goes out to Rumble Supershake, the nutritional drink company founded and grown out of Victoria. In March the company donated 10,000 of their drinks to the Mustard Seed of Victoria—and since then have donated a total of over 48,000 drinks to food banks and community organizations across Canada. Each drink is full of nutrients and is the perfect shelf-stable product to help fill the bellies of those who need it most.
Wayward Distillery, like many distilleries during this time, found a way to pivot their production to making hand sanitizer. But they went a step further to help protect the community by donating 2,000 litres of it for distribution to Comox Valley and Campbell River not-for-profits and emergency services.
Congratulations to Atlas Café on their 25th anniversary! While the momentous anniversary mightn’t have been allowed the celebration it deserves during the pandemic, the restaurant used its downtime to do some updates and repairs, and we look forward to them serving Courtenay with its delicious fare for many years to come.
Coming Soon
It’s exciting to see that the pandemic hasn’t stopped some businesses from forging ahead with new openings, including Cube Food Box. Coming soon to Victoria, they will be offering a variety of fresh meal boxes perfect for office lunches, picnics or family dinner.
A new grocer is also coming to Victoria: Urban Grocer will be settling into the old Safeway location near the Fort Street and Oak Bay Avenue junction. At 10,000 square feet, it hopes to become a go-to destination for products and services for the area.
Agri-tech company Pontus Water Lentils is looking to use an aquaponics system to produce water lentils, which are high in protein. The business plans to build a new 10,000 square foot closed-cycle system in Victoria. It would grow rainbow trout, whose waste would be used as fertilizer for the plants, which would in turn filter the water back for the fish. The business would be capable of producing approximately 6.4 metric tonnes of dried and powdered lentils and 11,000 trout each year.
A six-month study regarding the feasibility of a meat processing plant or “abbatoir” in Victoria will be underway soon. Currently, hog and cattle need to be transported up island or to the mainland for processing, so a facility capable of handling these products could help enhance the local food supply chain.
Resources
The B.C. government has developed a resource to highlight agriculture-related jobs in response to the pandemic: the B.C. Farm, Fish and Food Job Connector. The site will help connect farmers, seafood businesses and food processers with potential employees, assisting with their hiring and planning needs.
