Getting ready for summer

Photo: Contributed In Canada, we pride ourselves on our climatic toughness. We like to trade stories of the worst winters and compare the endurance we have against those from other cities. Did you know the corner of Portage and Main in Winnipeg is the windiest street corner in the

Quails' takes over vineyard

Photo: Quails' Gate Estate Winery Pioneers of British Columbia’s wine industry — the Stewart family of Quails’ Gate Winery and the Martiniuk family of Stoneboat Vineyards — have come together in a vineyard partnership. Quails’ Gate Winery has taken ove

Canola restrictions lifted

Photo: The Canadian Press Riders and their horses pass through a canola field as they take an afternoon trail ride near Cremona, Alta. A three-year Chinese ban on Canadian canola has come to an end, according to the federal government. In a joint statement released Wednesday afterno

Local breweries medal up

Photo: Bad Tattoo Penticton's craft brewery scene walked away with multiple awards at the Canadian Brewing Awards this weekend in Calgary. The annual awards recognize the best of Canadian beers, and Penticton, recently dubbed "Canada's Craft Beer Capital" by Lonely Pl

Best for outdoor dining, pets

Photo: Contributed Outdoor patio at DunnEnzie's, Lakeshore Rd. location Six restaurants in the Okanagan area have made the OpenTable 100 Best Restaurants for outdoor dining. According to OpenTable, Canadians have enthusiastically returned to dining out with May reservations up 6

Assaulted with a cookie

Photo: Contributed A Kelowna resident says she is left traumatized after she says a group of teenage girls threw a cookie at her face while riding the bus. Greta Fader says she was riding a Kelowna Transit bus on Monday near Richter Street and Highway 97 just after 4:30 p.m. when the i

Restaurants hit by shortage

Photo: The Canadian Press A worker organizes chairs and tables on the patio of a restaurant on College St., Toronto, Thursday, October 28, 2021. Restaurants across Canada are cutting back hours and tightening up menus as persistent labour shortages and spiking costs threaten to derail the ind

Craft radler recalled

Photo: CFIA A popular B.C.-based craft brewery has issued a recall on one of its products. Tree Brewing Co. has recalled cans of its Golden Larch grapefruit radler because they contain sulphites not declared on the label. “If you have a sensitivity to sulphites, do not consum

Local grape grower lauded

Photo: Contributed A second-generation farmer has been honoured by the BC Grapegrowers’ Association for cultivating grapes that have created award-winning wines. Heidi Lorch has been named 2021 Viticulturist of the Year, receiving recognition on Tuesday at Lorch’s Peak Vine

Sharing is caring

Photo: Contributed This week I’d like to focus more on the Happy part of the name of my column, rather than the Gourmand. People who know me will shake their heads and say how can you separate the two? Well, I suppose in some ways I can’t. But I’d like to offer a diff

Old Doc's pub gets facelift

Photo: Jill Jarrett New entrance (L) interior (R) Big things are underway at one of the longest-standing pubs in downtown Kelowna. The former Doc Willoughby’s is undergoing a complete transformation, including name change and is scheduled to open sometime in the middle of June

Ice cream shop changes fruit

Photo: Cherry On Top Shake Shop The previous operators of the Penticton Peach are on the move with its own new "fruitful" venture. Some Penticton residents were in an uproar in April when The Peach announced it had lost the bid to operate the iconic beachfront stand. Famil

2021 Stag's Hollow white

Photo: Contributed Wine: Tragically Vidal, 2021 Winery: Stag’s Hollow, Okanagan Falls Why drink it? This wine recently won double gold at the International Cascadia competition, where one judge called it a perfect example of Vidal, a typically slightly sweet, tropically-scente

Little Italy says ciao

Photo: Google Street View Vernon's Little Italy Market and Deli is closing its doors. The Sacco family made the announcement on Facebook that the popular eatery is coming to an end. “It is with great sadness that I make this announcement,” a May 2 post on the deli

2015 Volcanic Hills

Photo: Contributed Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon, 2015 Winery: Volcanic Hills, West Kelowna Why drink it? This wine just won double gold at the International Cascadia competition. A deep, dark red in the glass, and a swirl will first give you aromas of blackberry bramble, dark plums, and

The darling buds of May

Photo: Contributed Dancing around the May Pole. Mother Nature carries on her work as we flip the calendar pages. We didn’t have many April showers, but the flowers of May are coming, nonetheless. Soon summer will be here. Can you feel the excitement? People are in their gar

Brew takes aim at Putin

Photo: Darren Handschuh Andrea Malysh holds some 'special' beer with a message to the president of Russia. North Okanagan residents can sip a cool one while letting the president of Russia know what they really think of him. And they'll be raising money to help Ukrainian

Nk'Mip Cellars Rose

Photo: Contributed Wine: Rosé, 2020 Winery: Nk’Mip Cellars, Osoyoos/OIiver Why drink it? The 2021 vintage should be on shelves soon, and select wines from the winery can be found at the District Wine Village in Oliver. The 2020 rosé is a bright ruby red in colour

Tasty Easter trivia treats

Photo: Contributed In northwestern Germany it is the Easter fox who brings the chocolate eggs, not a bunny. It’s Easter time, and so I’m guessing as you read this, you’re nibbling on those little Eggies or maybe some jellybeans. It’s okay, I’m not judging

Farmer's market returns

The Vernon Farmer's Market moves back outdoors this week. The first outdoor market of the year will be held in the parking lot at Kal Tire Place on Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The popular market features artisan and crafters, farm and orchard produce, as well as food and concession