It’s not every day that you get to sit down for dinner with the farmer who supplied the ingredients you are about to enjoy. Last week growers and producers who are members of the Abbotsford Circle Farm Tour were invited to a longtable dinner at Tanglebank Gardens to dine with local media. This unique ‘meet and greet’ was catered by Chef Sarah Kruk of Brambles Bistro (at Tanglebank) and a memorable six course meal was served up, putting passion on the plate and respecting the local ingredients.
Abbotsford Circle Farm Tour Dinner
I sat across from the charming husband and wife team, Tim and Flo Rempel, that lead Rockweld Farm. This dynamic duo can be found selling their SPCA certified, organic-fed chicken and eggs at up to 16 farmers markets in the Greater Vancouver area.
The first course was served as guests mingled about Tanglebank’s covered garden entrance with glasses of Maan Farms Blackberry Wine in hand. Name tags identified members of the media and farm participants as introductions were made and directions to farms were given.
Course: Mini bacon confit duck cabbage roll with ginger-bramble berry wine reduction
Producer/Farmer: One Love Farm cabbage, Maan Farms blackberry wine, Campbell’s ginger honey
“Did you see the blue fence when you drove in?” asked Arina Onnick from Onnick’s Blueberry Farm who wore a beautiful lavender cape and custom jewelry she designed herself. She took over the farm from her father a few years ago and continues to produce high quality, plump, juicy blueberries along with creative treats, like the thoughtfully decorated bonbons we enjoyed at the end of the night.
Once the first rich spoonful of the sweet cabbage rolls made it to everyone’s lips seats were taken and the next six courses began.
Course: Chicken velouté with early harvest vegetables
Producer/Farmer: Rockweld Farm chicken, Lepp Farm Market corn, Brambles carrots and turnips
The savoury, silky soup was paired with a 2012 Symmetry by Mt Lehman Winery. The blend of Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Ehrefelser, Riesling and Oraniensteiner brought out sweeter notes from the corn in the velouté.
As I chatted with Tim and Flo of Rockweld we realized their chicken was the star attraction of the dish. They were asked to stand up and tell the group a bit more about their family business, and this introduction continued throughout the rest of the courses as each farmer stood to tell their story and share how their product came to be on our plates.
There’s really nothing like a good meal and a great story, and I could have listened to Tim and Flo talk about raising their chicken until the proverbial cows came home. Stories about their community, their family, and how Tim discovered that his baby chicks like country music. We were only one course down and I had already got so much out of this dinner.
Course: Tomme goat cheese and duo of beets
Producer/Farmer: Mt Lehman Goat Cheese, Brambles beets, honey and micro-greens, Taves Apple Barn Elstar apples
Course: Cider-braised pork with caramelized Russian garlic jus, blue capri and hazelnut twice-baked soufflé, honey-roasted pumpkin and harvest vegetable purée
Producer/Farmer: Lepp Farm Market pork shoulder, One Love Russian garlic and winter luxury pumpkin, Mt Lehman goat cheese, Taves Apple Barn cider and cinderella pumpkin, Campbell’s squash honey and honeycomb
If you could put autumn on a plate, this main dish (pictured above) would be it. Apples, pumpkin, pork, cider, honey, oh my! I didn’t know where to start. The pork shoulder was succulent and my fork slid through picking up tender morsels that I smothered in garlic and honey. The soufflé cut through all of the sweetness on the plate, adding a dry and savoury balance the soft and sticky components.
I don’t think Charlotte Lepp finished her story about how their market grew from humble beginnings as a corn stand on the side of the highway before we were all scooping up the last bites on our plates, getting very close to licking them clean.
Course: Mead poached pear and brown butter shortbread tart with Concord coulis and pecan praline ice cream.
Producer/Farmer: Campbell’s mead, Lepp pears, Birchwood ice cream
Moving onto dessert, we finally heard from Judy and Mike Campbell who could teach you everything there is to know about honey and mead. Health benefits, recipes, how to make award-winning mead, how to get honey flavoured by flourishing crops from local farms, and more.
I first met the Campbells last year during an Abbotsford Circle Farm Tour and this charming couple is a wealth of information about all things bees. Their honey and honeycomb added a unique touch to many of the dishes at this event.
Course: Blueberry bonbon
Producer/Farmer: Onnick’s Blueberry Farm
Arina Onnick was the last farmer to speak as she told of her blueberry ventures into iced teas, bonbons, coffee, and other tempting creations with her six different varieties grown sustainably, food-safe, cannon-free, and using ethical agricultural practices. Arina’s creative and lovingly crafted chocolates were the perfect way to end the meal with those last sips of Mt Lehman Winery’s late harvest Chardonnay/Sauvignon Blanc.
More information about the Abbotsford Circle Farm Tour — a self-guided tour that takes you around farm-gate shops and markets in the area — is available online and via Tourism Abbotsford. Our hosts at Tanglebank will offer longtable dinners with Circle Farm Tour members in 2015 so be sure to follow them on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news.
The 20th Word Vancouver takes place this week, featuring readings, writing workshops, musical entertainment, and more. Since this celebration of all things reading and writing is also a part Culture Days, all events and activities are free!
Word Vancouver
Enjoy and participate in festival activities at various venues around Vancouver. Celebrating Canadian literary talents, you can choose from 100 readings, 150 authors, and 20 workshops.
Wednesday, September 24, 2014 event at 12:30pm
The Paper Hound (344 West Pender St)
Wednesday, September 24, 2014 event at 6:30pm
Banyen Books & Sound (3608 West 4th Ave)
Thursday, September 25, 2014 event 6:30pm
Banyen Books & Sound (3608 West 4th Ave)
Thursday, September 25, 2014 event at 7:00pm
The Cottage Bistro (4470 Main St)
Friday, September 26, 2014 event at 6:30pm
Christianne’s Lyceum (3696 West 8th Ave)
Friday, September 26, 2014 event at 7:30pm
Historic Joy Kogawa House (1450 West 64th Ave)
Saturday, September 27, 2014 event 11:00am to 5:00pm
Central Branch, VPL (350 West Georgia St)
Saturday, September 27, 2014 event at 1:30pm
SFU Harbour Centre, Room 3000
Sunday, September 28, 2014 event 11:00am to 5:00pm
Library Square (in and around VPL Central Branch)
A full program is available for download. New this year is Chapbooks, and the festival will celebrate this form of creative expression with a workshop, exhibits, readings, and a panel discussion. Check out the Cap Art Vending Project, a functional vending machine created by Capilano University’s Anne Stone. A nickel will drop down a miniature chapbook, poem, or story written by a creative individual. You can also purchase a festival book bag for $20 that will come pre-filled with literary treasures.
Don’t miss Kids Lit, Kids Words on Saturday at the Vancouver Public Library, the Canada Writes series, visual exhibits, Word Talks, and main stage entertainment hosted by David C. Jones. Authors in attendance include Bruce Grierson, George Murray, Sarah Ellis, Dina Del Bucchia, Grant Lawrence, Kevin Chong, Wayde Compton, William New, Doretta Lau, Nancy Lee, Tilar Mazzeo, Ian Weir, Caroline Adderson, Danielle S. Marcotte, Linda Bailey, Willie Sellars, and many more.
Win a Word Vancouver Prize Pack
Word Vancouver has offered up a fantastic prize pack for me to give away to one lucky reader that contains:
The Wind Is Not A River
by Brian Payton (novel)
Will Starling
by Ian Weir (novel)
Sensational Vancouver
by Eve Lazarus (non-fiction illustrated)
Not Just Another Princess Story
by Sheri Radford, illustrated by Qin Leng (children’s book)
The Yoga Game
by Kathy Beliveau, illustrated by Denise Holmes (children’s book)
All of the authors are reading at the festival so I will draw one winner at random from all entries on Friday, September 26, 2014 and the winner can pick up their prize pack over the weekend — and potentially get their books signed on-site! Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment naming a favourite book that you have read lately (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
Follow Word Vancouver on Facebook and Twitter for more information about events this week. The Vancouver Book and Magazine Fair Society produced the former The Word On The Street Vancouver festival between 1995 and 2012, which was rebranded as Word Vancouver in 2013. Over the span of two decades, the festival has expanded from a single day event to a five-day event, attracting thousands of local, Canadian, and international festival-goers to its events. Word Vancouver has become Western Canada’s largest celebration of reading and writing primarily by remaining 100 percent free and providing all-ages programming, making it inclusive and accessible.
Update The winner is @Bookful42 on Twitter!
When the S.S. Beaver ran aground in 1888, Prospect Point was known as Calamity Point. The accident followed years of shipping mishaps caused by rocks and strong tidal currents. Three months later a light was established, just four days after Stanley Park itself was established.
The first light was a fixed white beacon housed in a square lantern room perched atop the pyramidal roof of the keeper’s dwelling. In 1900, the characteristic of the fog bell was changed from two strokes in quick succession every minute to one stroke every twenty seconds. Keeper John Grove had to wind up the weights that powered the fog bell every thirty minutes. A boat and boathouse were also supplied to the station in 1900.
In 1906, the MV Princess Victoria sliced through the tug Chehalis just off Brockton Point, two kilometers southeast of Prospect Point, killing eight passengers and crew aboard the Chehalis. To prevent tragedies like that of the Chehalis from occurring in The Narrows, a new duty was given to Keeper Grove, the operation of semaphore signal masts starting in 1909. [Source]
A signal station went in at Stanley Park’s highest point in 1923 and the original Prospect Point Lighthouse remained standing after 1938, when the Lions Gate Bridge was constructed. The lighthouse we know today was built in 1948. [Source]. This beacon is today’s Vancouver Icons photo feature:
Previous Vancouver Icons posts: Engagement, Ovaltine Cafe, The English Bay Slide, Freezing Water #7, Cleveland Dam, Heritage Hall, School of Theology Building at UBC, Gate to the Northwest Passage, St Paul’s Hospital, Capilano Lake, Stawamus Chief, Nine O’Clock Gun, Malkin Bowl, Search, Vancouver Rowing Club, Echoes, Point Atkinson Lighthouse, English Bay Inukshuk, Hollow Tree, Hotel Europe, Lions Gate Bridge Lions, LightShed, Granville Bridge, 217.5 Arc x 13′, Canoe Bridge, Vancouver Block, Bloedel Conservatory, Centennial Rocket, Canada Place, Old Courthouse/Vancouver Art Gallery, Dominion Building, Science World, Gastown Steam Clock, SFU Burnaby, Commodore Lanes, Siwash Rock, Kitsilano Pool, White Rock Pier, Main Post Office, Planetarium Building, Lord Stanley Statue, Vancouver Library Central Branch, Victory Square, Digital Orca, The Crab Sculpture, Girl in Wetsuit, The Sun Tower, The Hotel Vancouver, The Gassy Jack Statue, The Marine Building, and The Angel of Victory. Should you have a suggestion for the Vancouver Icons series please feel free to leave a note in the comments. It should be a thing, statue, or place that is very visible and recognizable to the public.
Around the Dome, a month-long family-friendly science festival, kicks off this weekend and to celebrate Science World will have free admission on Saturday, September 27, 2014 and Sunday, September 28, 2014. Presented by Genome British Columbia, Around the Dome Festival celebrates all of the amazing science and technology that can be found right here in Vancouver.
Around the Dome Festival
Join Science World all month for a full array of engaging experiences for adults, teens, children and teachers, until October 26, 2014. Special events during this time include Water Weekend, SWEET: Murder Mystery, Global Cardboard Challenge, Meet a Scientist, Meet a First Responder, Opening the Door career networking event for high schoolers, City Farm Fest, DIY Science, and a Short Film Festival.
Free Weekend at Science World
Around the Dome is being launched with a family-friendly celebration that’s free for everyone thanks to support from Genome British Columbia and BC Hydro. Head to Science World at TELUS World of Science for a Community Science Celebration this weekend, September 27th and September 28th, to learn about local businesses, organizations, and innovator in the science and technology fields in our own backyard.
For more information follow Science World on Facebook and Twitter. Science World is open 10:00am to 5:00pm weekdays and 10:00am to 6:00pm on weekends and stat holidays. Closed Mondays from October to December.
The Peninsula Community Foundation will host its 22nd “Vintage Affair” fundraising gala on October 23rd to benefit KidSport Surrey, Semiahmoo House Society and Sources Food Bank Resource Centre.
What: Peninsula Community Foundation Vintage Affair presented by Envision Financial.
When: Thursday October 23rd from 7:00pm to 10:00pm.
Where: Hazelmere Golf and Country Club at 18150 8th Ave, Surrey.
Tickets: $150. Available online or by calling (604) 716-4289.
Guests of the Vintage Affair will enjoy a curated selection of wines from local vintners paired with creative appetizers, a live DJ, and an exciting silent auction with items from prestigious South Surrey and White Rock boutiques. Evening draws include a climate-controlled wine cabinet filled with 100 bottles of wine and a $2,000 cash prize. The soiree will be MC’d by weather man, Mark Madryga, a South Surrey resident.
Vintage Affair will be a great reason to dress up, enjoy local wine, and support the South Surrey and White Rock community.
The Peninsula Community Foundation was established in 1998, inspired by the yearly success of Vintage Affair; first held in 1992. The Foundation, managed by a volunteer board, provides financial assistance to education, health care, family and community facilities programs. To date, the Foundation has raised more than $1,000,000 in cash support to the area’s charities and non-profits. Last year, the event’s proceeds completed a six-year commitment for $500,000 towards The Centre For Active Living.
Win Tickets
The Peninsula Community Foundation has generously offered up a pair of tickets to this gala evening (value $300) for me to give away to a lucky reader and their guest. Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Wednesday, October 1, 2014. Must be 19+. Follow the Peninsula Community Foundation on Facebook and Twitter for more information.
Update The winner is Angela!
