Get Fresh Blog

September 28, 2011
Apple Day at Sea Cider

Local Food Events by Caprina Valentine | Comments (0) Tags: apples, cider, events, pie —

We had a great day at Sea Cider’s Annual Apple Day!
Browse on for photos and a recap of the event including 2nd Annual Get Fresh with Apple Pie contest, raffle fundraiser for LifeCycles Fruit Tree Project, apple identification and tasty eats and treats from Truffles and Ambrosia.

2nd Annual Get Fresh with Apple Pie Contest!

Sea Cider apple orchard, looking towards Georgia Strait

Tasty eats and treats were enjoyed by all from Truffles and Ambrosia, as well as full cider tasting flights from Sea Cider. We indulged in the delicious cider marinated pork taco with apple onion salsa from Ambrosia, as well as their apple crisp.

Sea Cider Pommeau, Cyser and Pomona

apple identification and lessons on fruit tree pruning

BC Fruit Testers offered apple identification, overflowing with a wealth of fascinating knowledge about fruit tree growing conditions, physiology and genetics. Noah & Elisabeth’s apples were identified as Spartan, King and the third is likely a Cox’s Orange Pippin. I also inquired about pruning techniques, for which he insisted pruning actually be done during the period of vigorous growth (March thru July) and never in the cold, rainy season (ahem, November) when it exposes the “open wounds” to contagions and fungus. Great tips and info for next spring!

Chef Dan Hayes of The London Chef judges the apple pie contest

Chef Dan Hayes of The London Chef had a great time judging our 2nd Annual Get Fresh with Apple Pie Contest, in which we had four entrants this year. Congratulations to 1st place winner Maria Nunn for her traditional pie and 2nd place winner Renee Reese for content. And an honourable mention to second year entrant Steph Miller.

Chef Dan Hayes of The London Chef judges the apple pie contest

Chef Dan Hayes holds the winning pie!

Afterwards, the pies were divided up and shared amongst the crowd, while we drew our raffle fundraiser for LifeCycles Fruit Tree Project. In all, the table raised $218 towards LifeCycles.

Thanks again to all who participated! And thanks to our raffle donors: Sea Cider, Canoe Brewpub, Pizzeria Prima Strada, Pescatores & Bon Rouge, Teafarm and Vancouver Island Salt Co.

September 18, 2011
2nd Annual Get Fresh with Pie!

Local Food Events by Elisabeth Bond | Comments (0) Tags: apple days, apple pie, get fresh with pie, pie contest, sea cider —

Don your aprons, slice those local apples and roll out your secret dough recipe… it’s time for the 2nd Annual Apple Pie Contest. We invite you to enter and wow us with the best apple pie of them all! The winner will receive a Gift Certificate for 2 for a long flight cider tasting, plus artisan platter and a bottle of cider to take home. The runner up will receive a tasty bottle of Sea Cider.

contest details:

contest is open to anyone
try to use as many local ingredients as possible (see links provided below for resources)
judging will take place between 2-3 pm on “Apple Day” at Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse, Sunday, September 25.
The winners will be announced at 3pm.
please rsvp so we know how many tasty pies will be arriving on Apple Day. Email us and put Pie Contest in the subject line.
please include a card with your name, phone number and email with your pie entry. Let us know a little bit about your ingredients – what kind of apples did you use and where did they come from etc.

It’s going to be a great day, so come enjoy the organic orchard and join in the celebration of harvest. Taste the goodness of fresh, ripe apples in their many delicious forms. There will lots happening and plenty to sip and nibble at Apple Day.

Last year we put together an incredible basket of local goodies kindly donated by all our Get Fresh Guide partners. We will work with Sea Cider and other local businesses to create another basket of treats. Raffle tickets will be sold on Apple Day with all proceeds going to Lifecycles Fruit Tree Project. Tickets will be sold for $5 each or 3 for $10. You may donate more in support of Lifecycles if you choose! Last year we raised just over $570, let’s see if we beat that this year.

Lifecycles and BC Fruit Testers will be on hand to offer advice on pruning your fruit trees. Perhaps you have a mystery apple growing in your yard? They are available to answer all your questions regarding identifying and caring for your fruit trees. Don’t forget to bring a sample!

resources

Great places to buy local apples:
Oldfield Orchard – 6286 Oldfield Road, 250.652.1579
The Root Cellar – 1286 McKenzie Avenue, 250.477.9495
Ambrosio Markets – various locations around town Oak Bay, James Bay, Cook Street Village
Dan’s Farm & Country Market – 2030 Bear Hill Road, 250.652.9100
Apple Luscious Organic Orchards – 110 Heidi Place, Saltspring Island
Niagara Grocery – 579 Niagara Street, James Bay

Looking for some Island Grown Wheat Flour?
True Grain Mill - 1725 Cowichan Bay Rd and Mill Bay Centre

Want to make your own lard? Here are some useful tips from Chef Heidi Fink
Chef Heidi Fink – Lip Smacking Blog

Please bring your pie to Sea Cider anytime before 1pm on Sunday, Sept.25. Make sure to label it and include your contact info so we can be sure to get a hold of you if you are not on site for the judging hour. Stick around after the judging as I’m sure there will loads of delicious pies to sample! Best of luck to you all, see you on Apple Day!

Apple Day takes place at Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse on Sunday, September 25 from 11am to 4pm.
Sea Cider is located at 2847 Mt. St. Michael Rd, Saanichton.

August 11, 2011
Sooke Farm & Food Garden Tour

Local Food Events by Elisabeth Bond | Comments (0)

Sooke Region Food CHI Society with support from the District of Sooke is proud to present their second annual Farm & Food Garden Tour. The event will take place in Sooke, this Sunday, August 14 from 10am – 5pm.

This self-guided tour features ten beautiful, bountiful farms and food gardens in and around the Otter Point area. The goal of the tour is to showcase self-sufficiency and interest more people in farming and local food. Visitors will have the opportunity to see, first hand, sustainable food production systems for a variety of products, and meet the people involved.

Come see self-sufficiency in action and meet folks growing everything from fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers to raising heritage breeds of turkeys, chickens, cows and pigs. Beekeeping and fantastic value-added products are also tour highlights.

You’ll have a chance to admire the diverse range of farm buildings from historical houses, cob buildings, earth ovens and greenhouses. Whether on new or historical properties, on small or large acreages or lovingly worked by new or established growers, the Sook Farm and Food Garden Tour is a chance to see the amazing growers in your community.

Bring the family (like we did last year. It was such a great day out!) for a fun and educational event. Learn what you can grow and harvest in your own garden, check out demonstrations and purchase fresh produce right off the farm.

Tickets are $10 and free for ages 15 and under. You can pick up your ticket and map in Sooke at Shoppers Drug Mart, Peoples Drug Mart, Double D Gardens, Westburn Garden Centre, and Sooke Country Market (Saturdays 10-2). In Victoria tickets are available at Dig This and Moss Street Market (Saturdays 10-2)

March 18, 2011
Film and Feast: A Slow Food Event at Canoe Brewpub

Local Food Events by Elisabeth Bond | Comments (0) Tags: canoe brewpub, finest at sea, food security, local feast, sea cider, slow food, untamed harvest —

A Slow Food event and film screening of:
‘Food Security: It’s in your Hands’
produced by Nick Versteeg

Wednesday, March 23rd at 5:30pm
at Canoe Brewpub 450 Swift Street

If you missed the sold out screening at this year’s Victoria Film Festival, here is your chance to watch the film and enjoy some delicious food and drink.

Catch the dirt on local and sustainable farming practices. Meet new and seasoned farmers alike. Get the buzz on the local bee community. Be inspired to plant your own food. Find out how you can support small scale local farms. Learn more about the future of local food security.

Canoe’s expert chefs have prepared amazing organic delicacies with greens from Saanich Organics, fish from Finest at Sea and mushrooms foraged by Eric Whitehead of Untamed Feast. Enjoy a refreshing complimentary glass of Kings and Spies from Sea Cider Farm and Ciderhouse.

Advance tickets are $35 and $30 for Slow Food members.
Tickets are also being sold at the Cascadia Liquor Stores at Quadra & McKenzie in Victoria and in Colwood at the corner of Kelly Road and Hatley Park Plaza.

February 14, 2011
Seedy Saturdays

Local Food Events by Elisabeth Bond | Comments (0)

February and March are the best months to time to buy, sell and trade local seeds.

Most farmers will have spent many a dark wintery night pouring over their farm plans, seed catalogues and planting schedules awaiting the last frost and signs that spring will soon be on the way. Perhaps you do the same thing on a smaller scale whether it’s for your backyard plot, community garden, greenhouse or apartment balcony. I’d like to hope that the last frost came and went last week and it’s time to get serious about the first plantings of the year. The middle of this month is a great time to get seeds going inside near a bright sunny window or in a greenhouse. (we have our tomatoes and leeks on a warming mat and they are looking very happy so far!!)

Why buy local seeds you may ask?

1. It is another way to support your local farmers. Seed saving is an important part of harvest allowing farmers to be self-sufficient and create another revenue stream.
2. Seeds from local plants have adapted themselves to the climate, soil conditions and ecosystem of the Pacific Northwest. They are more resistant to pest in our region.
3. You can connect with your local growers and seed savers. Ask questions, share information and seek advice from the very people who have experience growing these particular plants.
4. Put money back into our local economy and avoid the big companies who threaten to spread terminator seeds around the globe.
5. Save and share open pollinated and heirloom seeds to preserve local plant heritage.
6. Enjoy the best tasting vegetables grown from quality, organic and lovingly preserved seeds.

Where can you find local seeds?

Seedy Saturdays

Victoria
February 19th, 10am – 4pm
Victoria Conference Centre (720 Douglas Street)
Admission: $7, under 12 free
Get all the details on vendors and speakers here.

Sooke
February 26, 10am – 3pm
Sooke Community Hall, 2037 Shields Road (across from Legion)
More info!

Courtenay
Filberg Centre, 411 Anderton Ave (downtown Courtenay)
March 5th, 10am – 3pm
Early bird wristbands: $6 Door: $8
Visit the site!

Gabriola Island
Seedy Saturday and Spring Fair
March 5th, 11am – 3pm
More info!

Nanaimo
(Seedy Sunday)March 6th, 10am – 3pm
Bowen Park Auditorium, 500 Bowen Road
Admission: $3
More info!

Cobble Hill
March 12th, 10am – 3pm
Cobble Hill Hall, 3550 Watson Avenue
Don’t miss guest speaker, Dan Jason of Saltspring Seeds at 1pm “How to start a community seed bank”
Email for more info!

Duncan
March 26, 10am – 3pm
Mercury Theatre, 331 Brae Road
More info!

If you can’t make it to any of these island seed events there are still local seed companies that you can connect with.
Jump back to our 12 Days of Shopping Local: Seeds! to find some useful links.

Here is a quick reference list:
Seeds of Victoria
Full Circle Seeds
Old Country Seeds
Saltspring Island Seeds
Brother Nature Organic Seeds
Stellar Seeds

Happy Seed Shopping & Planting! We’d love to hear about some of your most unique purchases or trades!

November 11, 2010
Enjoy a Spectacular Local Feast …

Local Food Events by Elisabeth Bond | Comments (0)

The Best of Naramata Winemaker’s Dinner
Thursday, November 18 at 7pm
Brentwood Bay – SeaGrille

The days are getting shorter, it’s time to add some flavour and fizz to those long wintery nights. You are invited to an exciting culinary event featuring two of BC’s finest winemakers. The evening will begin with a sparkling wine and oyster reception, and then Chef Audrey LeFrancois will prepare a special five course tasting dinner featuring locally grown and harvested foods, perfectly paired with wines from Laughing Stock & Elephant Wineries.

the menu

Oyster + Sparkling Reception
Paired with: Elephant Island Pink Elephant – 2008
Finished brut with currant and green apple notes both in aroma and on the palate and a lingering cassis finish

1st Course

Seaweed and Tuna Tartar
Pomegranate pearls with a potato gaufrette

Paired with: Blind Trust White – 2009
Luscious tropical fruit flavours, grapefruit acidity, ripe apricot and mango, with a floral aroma

2nd Course

Colossal Seared Scallop
Vanilla and orange blossom beurre blanc and prosciutto chip

Paired with: Small Caps Viognier – 2009
Clean lively flavours of rich peach and mango with a long finish and a touch of orange zest

3rd Course

Huckleberry Braised Pork Belly
Creamy braised black pepper cabbage

Paired with: Small Caps Syrah – 2008
Intense purple colour, a black currant and carmelized nose; intense black cherry, plum, clove & tobacco on the palate, with a long supple finish.

4th Course

Cocoa Bean Crusted Bison
Cherry tarragon compote, swiss chard

Paired with: Portfolio – 2007
Packed with candied cherry, black berries & dar, chocolate tones; rich, layered and concentrated, this wine finishes with a smooth, refined elegance.

5th Course

Brown Butter Ice Cream Parfait
Framboise whipped cream, crushed praline

Paired with: Elephant Island Framboise – 2009
Fresh, tart and rich

Tickets are: $99* per person
* plus HST and gratuities
Tickets are available at the Front Desk or call 888.544.2079
Brentwood Bay :: Resort/Spa/Seagrille/Pub/ Marina
849 Verdier Ave. Brentwood Bay BC

September 27, 2010
and the Winner’s are….

Local Food Events by Elisabeth Bond | Comments (0) Tags: apple pie, fundraiser, lifecycles, sea cider —

Yippee for yummy, local Apple Pies! Thank you to Mary, Steph, Finn and John, Noah, Matt, Sophie, Kari, Carol, Lori and Lucas for entering the first “Get Fresh with Pie” contest at Sea Cider’s Apple Day!

Congratulations to MARY GIDNEY – first prize winner with her pie made with ‘Wealthy Apples’ from Metchosin and STEPH MILLER for her second prize winning entry. To our hosts at Sea Cider and our fine judges, Heidi Fink and Don Genova we also extend big thanks for your contributions.

Congratulations to JOHN WATTS who won the incredible raffle basket full of local goodies in the draw yesterday at Sea Cider!!!

We appreciate all those that bought tickets in support of Lifecycles Fruit Tree Project. Together we raised $570!!!

Thank you to everyone below for you very generous donations:

Georgie’s Cafe – EcoFair Bolga Woven Basket
Pizzeria Prima Strada – $50 Gift Certificate
Victoria Spirits – Leftcoast Hemp Vodka, Victoria Gin and Twisted & Bitters
Sea Cider – Honey & Cider Roasted Nuts, organic honey, Wild English and Pippins Cider
Melinda’s Biscotti – Biscotti
Bon Rouge or the Oyster – $100 Gift Certificate
Green Village – Onya Weigh Bags
Driftwood Brewery – Farmhand Ale, Whitebark Ale and Driftwood Ale

September 15, 2010
Get Fresh with Pie!

Local Food Events,Local Liquor by Elisabeth Bond | Comments (0) Tags: apple pie, local apples, pie contest, sea cider —

Hey there apple lovers, don your aprons… we are hosting a Pie Baking Contest! We invite you to enter and take a crack at creating the best apple pie of them all. The winner will receive a lovely bottle of hand-crafted organic Cider, a Gift Certificate for 2 for a cider tasting plus the adoration of all your friends and fans.