Sustainable Dinner Series
In a cozy heritage barn nestled among rows of lavender in Metchosin, roughly 30 guests sat down for an incredible family-style meal to share stories, make friendships and talk about how sustainability is affecting local lives and businesses. The event was the second in an on-going series organized by Fjällräven, the Swedish-based outdoor equipment company that opened a store in downtown Victoria in 2018.
The event was hosted by Bilston Creek Farm, a multi-use space that includes a spectacular wedding venue, a lavender farm and an upcoming catering company. Owners Ben Drury, Andrew Penn and Melanie Penn who are brand ambassadors for Fjällräven, had the goal to start a dialogue about how the South Island can approach and embrace sustainability in a time where population growth is exploding, particularly in the neighbouring communities of Langford and Collwood.
The guest list was an eclectic mix of ages and backgrounds and included environmental activists, youth organizers, First Nations community leaders, social media influencers, scientists and business owners from all over the Island, Vancouver and Squamish. As dishes were being brought to the table prepared by Sandi Irving, executive chef at the farm, guests were encouraged to share their stories of how sustainability impacts their lives and to have meaningful conversations with their fellow diners.
The dinner was a beautiful plant-based menu that included local and, of course, sustainably farmed vegetables accented by food items that are harvested at Bilston Farm such as honey, apple cider and lavender.
The evening ended with a frozen chocolate and lavender pie as well as short presentations from two key-note speakers: Norm Hann owns a paddle-boarding expedition company with tours in the Great Bear Rainforest and Andy MacKinnon is a Metchosin Councillor and former forest ecologist. Both spoke to the importance of protecting the land, collaborating and partnering with local First Nations groups, and inspiring youth to get involved.
