Food & Drink

Where to get local produce

Photo: Contributed One of the best things about summer in the Okanagan Valley is having access to fresh, local, in-season fruits and vegetables. If you’re looking for a great place to find local produce and other goods in Kelowna with some of the best prices in town, check out Lo

4 Tims sold in Vernon

Photo: Google Street View A longtime franchisee has sold four of Vernon's Tim Hortons restaurants. Dan Currie has sold the Tims on 27th Street, Okanagan Landing, and north end restaurants, along with the Tim's outlet inside the Esso station on 34th Street. A sale price was n

Keep boiling the water

Photo: Pixabay Residents in Spallumcheen are reminded a boil water advisory issued July 27 is still in effect. In a news release Tuesday, the township advises “upon the advice of Interior Health and in an abundance of caution,” the Eagle Rock water system (remains) under th

Phantom Creek Viognier

Photo: Contributed Wine: Phantom Creek Estates 2021 Viognier Winery: Phantom Creek Estates Why drink it? Located on Black Sage Road, near Oliver, Phantom Creek Estates opened in 2019 and quickly became a winery known for quality: fine dining at its beautiful restaurant, world-class

Cheesy but true

Photo: Kristin Peturson-Laprise This week I want to talk about cheese, but not the famous European cheeses like Camembert or Gouda or Parmesan. I am going to share with you some historic highlights about processed cheeses, or as some call it, American cheese. It will be spread liberally w

SilverStar hosting Wine Fest

Photo: SilverStar The SilverStar Wine Festival promises to be a four-day food, wine and mountain adventure for foodies and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Organizers of the event August 10 to 13 are creating a culinary concoction for their guests with world-class expertise in all things win

Hit hard, pleading for help

Casey Richardson As South Okanagan wineries face devastating impacts from last winter's cold snap, local chambers of commerce are asking all levels of government to step in with financial aid and policy changes. In December and January, the region saw periods of extreme cold that kille

Old restaurant, new owner

Cindy White It’s not a hidden gem anymore. A new operator has taken over the historic house on Lawrence Avenue that used to be home to the Hidden Gem restaurant. It’s now Casa de Frida, in tribute to iconic Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. “She doesn’t call herself si

Food-insecure study results

Photo: The Canadian Press A woman shops for produce in Vancouver. The mere thought of grocery shopping causes so much anxiety for Jaimee Aragones that she avoids entering stores knowing she would return home without some food she can no longer afford for her kids. Aragones said her

Solvero Pinot Gris

Photo: Contributed Wine: Solvero Wines 2022 Pinot Gris Winery: Solvero Wines Why drink it? Talented winemaker Alison Moyes (Osoyoos Larose, Liquidity) is now leading the charge at Solvero Wines, with chic, delicious wines such as this Pinot Gris. Each label features a map of the vin

Life is a bowl of cherries

Photo: Contributed I want to reprint a column from many years ago, back in 2010. It’s a great example of how some things stay the same, but most things change. Our cherry tree is older now – it still gives us some cherries, but not the hundred pounds of days gone by. My ste

Soiree Rouge delights

Photo: Don Urquhart Click here to view gallery Photo: Don Urquhart Photo: Don Urquhart Photo: Don Urquhart Photo: Don Urquhart Photo: Don Urquhart Photo: Don Urquhart Photo: Don Urquhart Photo: Don Urquhart Photo: Don Urquhart Photo: Don Urquhart Offsetting the striking blues a

Noble Ridge Heritage

Photo: Contributed Wine: Noble Ridge 2020 Reserve Meritage Winery: Noble Ridge Vineyard & Winery Why drink it? A blend of Merlot (74 per cent) Cabernet Sauvignon (24 per cent) and just a hint of Malbec (two per cent), this balanced full-bodied red has notes of blackberry, blackc

Classic food phrases

Photo: Pixabay Apple cake a la mode Have you ever noticed how many strange words there are to describe different food dishes or styles of preparation? Even though many of us only speak English, most of us know these common terms from menus, cookbooks and general usage. I think I lea

Wine village in the works

Photo: Summerland BottleNeck Wine Village Summerland BottleNeck Wine Village has announced it hopes to have their new endeavour up and running within the next nine months. In a press release issued Friday, the village said they hope to open their doors by March 2024. The project, simil

Ribfest seeks ranch home

Photo: Historic O'Keefe Ranch Vernon's Ribfest is hoping to make Historic O'Keefe Ranch its permanent home. After three moves in its first three years, the festival is looking to plant some roots. Organizer Elaine Gallacher says last weekend's event "went really

New exec chef in 'Kitchen'

Photo: Italian Kitchen Vernon's Italian Kitchen has a new executive chef. Prasad Chavan is a Sysco Regina spring food expo winner with significant experience in the Okanagan. He was formerly head chef at O'Rourke Family Estates (Peak Cellar Winery). "The res

Prime drink recalled

Photo: The Canadian Press A caffeinated energy drink being promoted by American social media influencers is set to be recalled in Canada. Health Canada says Prime Energy exceeds the acceptable caffeine limit of 180 mg per can and should not be sold in Canada. Health Canada says it&#

Growers allege dumping

Photo: Castanet The BC Fruit Growers’ Association alleges dumping of American cherries onto the Canadian market. The Kelowna-based organization has initiated the first step of an anti-dumping trade action, to request the Canadian Border Services Agency monitor pricing and quantit

New boss for Phantom

Photo: Phantom Creek Estates Phantom Creek Estates has announced Francois Mateo is the new Managing Director as the Black Sage Bench winery set its sights high for BC wines. Phantom Creek aims to be instrumental in developing a collective mission, to further establish BC on the world w