July 20, 2018
After traveling the world for a few years now I thought that here we are flying all over the world while our own backyard in BC is so beautiful and I haven’t yet seen it all. A few weeks ago we had an opportunity to travel to the coast and decided to add a few days to begin exploring the vast sunshine Coast with its islands, inlets, beachfront homes and local food. The Sunshine Coast is part... View Article
May 11, 2017
I recently attended a cooking class at the Lake House Store in Kelowna. This is one of my favourite stores in town and much of my cookware and kitchen gadgets come from there, not the least a Kitchenaid, Vitamix, Fissler pressure cooker, Le Creuset, Nesspresso coffee maker (for my husband) and more, none of which I would do without. The state of the art kitchen is surprisingly spacious, hidden during the week by beautiful merchandise displayed on... View Article
March 17, 2017
What and Why International Women’s Day was special this year in Kelowna. With the hashtag #BEBOLDFORCHANGE women around the world gathered to celebrate social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women by holding various events and raising money to better their communities and beyond. Here in Kelowna a limited number of lucky guests were treated to a memorable dinner to celebrate women and forge a better, more gender inclusive world. Fittingly, the proceeds from our... View Article
September 17, 2015
Looking to discover you inner Italian? Here is how. Gian Marco Litrico offers classes that are so much more than just learning the language. With Gian Marco you will learn how to think like an Italian, how to cook Italian dishes and how to have an appreciation for Italian art, music, style and life. The classes are conversational and structured to be fun and informative, allowing you to progress at your own pace. The goal is... View Article
September 16, 2015
I have written about Sunshine farm before here and here and wanted to share the lovely experience we had this weekend at the much anticipated annual Tomato Festival held at their farm. Each fall Jon and Sher Alcock and their family host a tomato festival on their organic farm, opening the doors to local foodies and food enthusiasts who snap up the tickets to the sold out event. The festival is held in their front... View Article
August 15, 2015
How would you like to attend a dinner prepared by your city’s best chefs, paired with award winning local wines and served in the most beautiful and unique settings this summer? Look no further. On Wednesday this week culinary professionals, amateurs and food enthusiasts gathered across British Columbia at 30 different venues concurrently for the most anticipated culinary event of the year. The aptly named Summerdine is Canada’s largest concurrent dinner fund raiser organized to... View Article
July 15, 2015
For the third year in a row hundreds of people all dressed in white converged on a secret location in the Okanagan, flash mob style, setting long tables on the grass, covering them with white linen, white dishes and elaborate white center pieces, then wave white linen napkins in the air to signify the beginning of this special event that takes place in many countries around the world around the same time. Diner en Blanc... View Article
June 28, 2015
You know when something is special. Last year we attended a tomato festival at Sunshine Farm and I was completely taken by the people, the place, the idea. The Alcocks are special. Their background includes restaurants, fishery and farming and with this last venture they incorporated all that they believe in, including good food, mostly heirloom varieties, grown on their farm with integrity and sustainability. Sunshine farm was established by the Alcocks (Jon and Sher)... View Article
May 11, 2015
Tinhorn Creek Winery hosted one of their sold out long table dinners during the Spring Okanagan Wine Festival that I was recently invited to attend. Tinhorn Creek is well known in the valley not only for their wines but also for their fabulous events, from long table dinners at Miradoro restaurant to cooking classes, movies under the stars, open air concerts and this year dinner and dance in the vineyard (watch their website for details).... View Article
May 9, 2015
Okanagan Wine Festival offers many opportunities to educate your mind and palate by tasting local foods, wines and cheeses. One such opportunity presented itself the other night at a grilled cheese tasting paired with local wines, presented by Dairy Farmers of Canada. The event took place at the upstairs room at the Eldorado (affectionately referred to as the El by locals). The room was set with linen covered round tables for 8 and each guest... View Article
April 22, 2015
We are very fortunate to have Mission Hill Winery in the Okanagan. Situated on top of the hills in West Kelowna overlooking the lake, Mission Hill has been a prominent winery in the valley, contributing not only world class wines abut also food, art and music to the local cultural scene. Architecturally it is a stunning estate reminiscent of Tuscany, complete with a loggia, a bell tower and gorgeous views, spanning the vineyards, lake and... View Article
September 26, 2014
On Wednesday this week I was among more than one hundred guests from the culinary and wine industry here in the Okanagan invited to celebrated the official opening of the BC Wine Information Society Sensory Centre at the Okanagan College Penticton campus. The $650K centre was built thanks to a grant of $300K by the Wine Information Society that was matched by the Jim Pattison Foundation and was built at no cost to the college.... View Article
