Okanagan food

This week we want to let you know about two new things starting up. Or rather, we should say they are new incarnations of already good things. You may have heard of them, but in case you haven’t, here is your chance to be a part of that cool, “in-the-know” group of folks that roll in this town (says the geeky food nerd – but I do know a few cool people).

The first thing is Okanagan Street Food

You might have met Neil Schroeter in his special truck at the Kelowna Farmer’s Market last summer. I know Martin was drawn in from the memories of our days on the movie catering trucks. He holds a special kind of respect for any chef who chooses such “extreme” conditions to demonstrate the craft of cooking. Neil is known to many Okanagan foodies from his years as the chef at the Cellar Door Bistro at Sumac Ridge winery. He has cooked in many places across Canada and has a true passion for fresh, flavorful food, something we have plenty of in the Okanagan! He has now expanded his Street Food business and is taking up permanent residence at 812 Crowley Avenue in downtown Kelowna. He will have all the fresh, homemade favourites you saw at the market or may have picked up recently at Okanagan Grocery, AND he will be making fresh breakfast and lunch, as well as featuring a “winter wine club” dinner for the next few months. I am not sure if winter will last that long, but I am certainly keen to tolerate it if I can participate in these dinners! Watch for it opening in early February, and save me a seat!

The second thing that I want to share is a worldwide phenomenon that until now hasn’t taken hold in our little valley. But the buzz has begun, and I can’t help but share. Slow Food Okanagan will host its first event of sorts on Monday, February 21st at the Penticton Wine Info Centre. It will be a simple potluck affair, designed to be a brainstorming session for those interested in being involved in spreading the good word about eating locally. Even if you know nothing about this Italian project that has grown to 100,000 members in 153 countries, please do come if you want to learn. Slow Food was created in part as an alternative to “fast food”, and it has grown as a forum for educating people about how to enjoy food and ensure it can be enjoyed by all. The philosophy is summed up on their website:

We believe that everyone has a fundamental right to the pleasure of good food and consequently the responsibility to protect the heritage of food, tradition and culture that make this pleasure possible.

Slow Food is about caring and sharing. I hope to see you at the Potluck. If you can’t make it, please contact me if you want more information, or “like” the Slow Food Okanagan Facebook page and watch for future happenings.

Here’s to great Okanagan food!

Kristin

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.