Hastings House Country House Hotel will host their next “Chefs Across the Water” dinner on Monday, September 30, 2013 with Irish Chef Denis Cotter. Known for his cutting edge vegetarian fare, this edition of Chefs Across the Water with Chef Cotter will be the first meatless dinner and also the first to feature a chef […]

I love seeing Vancouver and the region from the skies, and with a week of sunshine and unobstructed views it’s a great time to consider scenic tours from Saltspring Air. Flying in a floatplane — to me — is one of those truly “West Coast” experiences. You walk out onto the dock, hop into the […]

Today I’m heading over to Salt Spring Island (otherwise known as our ‘Happy Place’) to enjoy the second annual Glowtini competition. Bartenders and mixologist from the isle will compete to tantalize taste-buds with a custom cocktail created specifically for Salt Spring Islanders and guests this holiday season. I’ll be joined by Janice Mansfield and David […]

Taking a floatplane is a quintessentially Canadian way to fly. It could be for your commute, quick escape, holiday, or your sightseeing vehicle of choice. Puttering along the water you ascend high enough to clear the trees of Stanley Park but you’re low enough to spot cruise ship passengers waving as they sail under the […]

Earlier this week locals along with ferry and floatplane travellers gathered at Hastings House on the beautiful gulf island known as Salt Spring. The second event in the Chefs Across the Water dining series featured the culinary creations of Chef Lee Parsons of Vancouver’s Wedgewood Hotel and Spa. Chef Parsons along with Sous Chef Nathan […]

Our fortunate geography lends itself to interesting adventures in dining, from open fields in Pemberton to picnics in the middle of Robson Street. Chefs Across the Water fits right in as top chefs from around the province gather on Salt Spring Island to prepare multi-course dinners at the Hastings House Dinning Room, perched above Ganges […]

As mentioned in this morning’s contest post, I spent the better part of the day on Salt Spring Island judging the “Glowtini” competition. Heading over to the island with Saltspring Air There were six participants from around the island who all prepared special holiday cocktails — the winning drink to be featured at restaurants and […]

This morning I’m heading over to Salt Spring Island to judge the Glowtini competition where local bartenders and mixologists will be creating their idea of the perfect Salt Spring Island holiday cocktail. Participants will be from Auntie Pestos Cafe, Harbour House Hotel Restaurant and Organic Farm, Marketplace Cafe, Moby’s Oyster Bar + Marine Grill, Oystercatcher, […]

Following a quick pit-stop at home to sleep and re-pack after a trip to the Cariboo, John and I were off to Salt Spring Island for the weekend. This member of the Gulf Island chain in the Georgia Strait, between Vancouver Island and the mainland of BC, is a favourite destination of ours (that we […]

Outside the rain is coming in sideway off the harbour, but it only ads to the ambiance. Fresh cut flowers on the table, and fireplace ablaze, I’m sipping my mocha and typing out a blog post with my legs draped over the sides of this armchair that I wish would just swallow me whole. Last […]