
Getting ready for summer
May 21, 2022 / 4:00 am
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
May 19, 2022 / 7:00 pm
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
May 18, 2022 / 4:40 pm
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
May 18, 2022 / 4:00 am
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
May 17, 2022 / 8:00 pm
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
May 17, 2022 / 11:29 am
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
May 15, 2022 / 7:53 am
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
May 14, 2022 / 5:30 am
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
May 14, 2022 / 4:00 am
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
May 14, 2022 / 4:00 am
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
May 13, 2022 / 5:28 pm
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
May 13, 2022 / 12:48 pm
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
May 8, 2022 / 4:00 am
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
May 4, 2022 / 2:20 pm
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
May 1, 2022 / 4:00 am
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
Apr 30, 2022 / 4:00 am
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
Apr 29, 2022 / 2:28 pm
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
Apr 24, 2022 / 4:00 am
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
Apr 16, 2022 / 4:00 am
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
Apr 12, 2022 / 6:00 pm
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