Last week I was sent an email from the 100-Mile Diet Society, with a link to a video (scroll down to view) that I think is one of the sweetest, most effective and creative pieces of promotion I’ve seen in a while. Of course I tweeted it, and saw others picked it up and did the same…one of the many reasons I love the power of social media. The fact that I love this video so much, combined with the fact that it speaks to an issue I support, I wanted to get to know the 100-Mile Diet Society and who the people are behind it a little bit better, and I thought my readers might too.

On that note, I am honoured to introduce Shirlene Cote of the 100-Mile Diet Society. A professed lover of food, Shirlene admits she thinks about food all the time, so having the opportunity to do work that revolves around food is pretty ideal for her.  She also loves working with youth, and is currently working on an education program that brings the two together; food serves as an engaging, not to mention delicious, lens for exploring current issues relating to health, the environment, economy and society. Well said!

Is there a certain food or dish that reminds you of home?
It’s pretty simple, but I love strawberries and my mother would always serve them up with whipped cream on my birthday.

What is the ideal Shirlene meal?
Hmm, I think this is the most difficult question.  I’ve never been good at choosing favorites.  However, I think I’ll take the easy way out by saying breakfast.  I love breakfast!  Eggs, jams, fresh fruit and blueberry pancakes.  If it’s the weekend and late morning, I don’t see why I can’t justify having it all, especially if I skip lunch.

What are you having for dinner tonight?
Tonight I had spaghetti squash from Delta splattered with some sauce made from tomatoes, oregano and garlic I grew and canned in the summer.  I also joined this awesome Grain CSA last year and received some lovely hard spring wheat that grew in Agassiz, from which I made some garlic bread.  Happens that it was mostly 100-Mile tonight (although I used some Italian parmesan, I could have used another local hard cheese).

Is there one food that gives you the heebie jeebies?
I started to include some of the sustainable seafoods into my diet about a year ago, but there are still some that I have not been able to acquire a taste for.  Recently I discovered that Black Cod, aka Sablefish, was one of them.  It’s something about the texture.  Different strokes for different folks though- my partner loves it!

How would someone start on their own 100 Mile Diet? Where would they go for info to make food choices and plan meals, especially now that we’re getting into Winter and the bounty of Spring harvest is almost over?
This is probably not the best time to try out the 100-Mile Diet, but making a 100-Mile meal could be a nice way to start- the holidays are a great time for this.  For what’s in season, check out www.getlocalbc.org.

If you’re feeling inspired to go local all the way with a 100-Mile Challenge, late spring might be the best time of year and if you’re really eager, start planning now. Learn about what foods are in season throughout the year, join a recipe exchange online, start your own community kitchen and/or get your family on board for extra support.  Its pretty fun once you get into it and you definitely learn a lot about yourself, your community and the food system currently in place, not to mention how innovative you can be.

There are lots of resources out there to help you get on your way.  The food network has created an awesome database for recipes and locating food close to home.
Check out our website for more tips, links and resources.  Also, check out our newest website if you’re interested in learning more about what makes this region such a fascinating place to eat.

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* And if you haven’t seen the video I mentioned up top, take a few minutes to watch it here, I promise it won’t disappoint!

Home is Where the Food is from The Juki Museum on Vimeo.

Chewing The Fat Foodie Interviews are back!

Read on to meet Justin Faubert, owner of LWF Food Service Consulting (landwaterfork). Justin has been working here in Vancouver as a chef for the past 12 years and currently offers catering/personal chefs services, as well as consulting focusing on local products and companies with an emphasis on the sustainability of our food system. He is just finishing a contract working privately as a chef for a family at their summer home on one of the Gulf Islands (very cool!) and when he’s not working with our food system, he spends his time raising two young children; his son, 4, and daughter, 2.

Is there a certain food or dish that reminds you of growing up?

Growing up living very close to my paternal grandparents, I would spend a lot of time at their house. My grandmother grew up on a farm and raising 5 children after the war, she knew how to make food (and a dollar) last. Eating according to the seasons was just the way we ate. It was the cheapest, most practical way of having meals. I can’t say there is a certain food that reminds me of growing up, but there are a few that take me back: fresh strawberries in the field, green beans and rhubarb out of the backyard garden, fresh lettuce with a buttermilk dressing, chicken & sliders, coconut cream pie, pumpkin cookies in the fall. Just a few of the many that come to mind.

What is the ideal Justin meal?

Kind of a tricky question to answer. I think the ideal meal is usually one that satisfies whatever craving you may have at the time. It could be in a high end restaurant or a “mom & pop” off the highway. There are a few meals that stand out for me. On the fine dining side, I’ve had flawless food and dining experiences at Gary Danko’s in San Francisco and 2941Restaurant just outside Washington, DC. On the simpler side, a few years ago I was part of a group of chefs and media from Vancouver and Vancouver Island visiting a supplier’s farm north of Quadra Island. On the boat back, we were having a few snacks  and I was standing beside James Barber, who was making himself a sandwich (it was more like a slice of ham folded into a slice of bread, maybe a touch of mustard). As he finished, he turned and offered the sandwich to me. How can you say no to that! James Barber making your lunch. That was a great ham sandwich and not because of the quality of the ingredients.

My ideal meal though, if I had to choose one, would have to be BBQ. If I’m down in the southern US, I always try to find the best place around. Ribs, brisket, chicken, catfish, beans, slaw, cornbread, all washed down with a cold beer. That satifies my soul.

What are you having for dinner tonight?

Dinners at home tend to be fairly simple. With kids around, it’s always best to get dinner ready in a hurry and to do something that doesn’t need your constant attention. Tonight it’s dry rubbed chicken thighs on the grill, UBC Farm yellow beans, some local potatoes and maybe a tomato from the garden. For dessert, we’ll eat a few handfuls of plums from the trees in the yard. Easy!

Is there a food that gives you the heebie jeebies?

I wouldn’t call myself an adventurous eater, but I don’t mind trying different foods. Things I tend not to like are flavours or textures that are too excessive: too salty, too sweet, too spicy, to slimy.

How and why did you start a food blog?

I started a blog for selfish reasons I guess. I wanted to practice my food writing earlier this year after attending the Fancy Food Show in San Francisco and thought starting a blog would be an easy way for me to get my food thoughts out there for others to see. It’s also a great way to let others know what I’m doing (professionally), catalogue and share recipes that I think are worthwhile and to give people an insight into some food happenings and events that I feel are important. For the most part, the food and the events have local ties, but sometimes I’ll post something that I think will have an impact on our food system, even if it is from somewhere else in the world. I’d love for “landwaterfork” to be a meeting place for others to share their views concerning our food system, (so please feel free to leave a comment or question!) and how it can become more sustainable and accessible to everyone.

Everyone, meet Shannon of Bakergirl Creations. Shannon, meet everyone!

Shannon is the latest interviewee of my Chewing The Fat foodie interview series, not only because she’s a food blogger (about sweet, sugary, delicious baking) but also because she will be doing some guest blogging here, and I wanted to introduce her first. So all you sweet-tooth people (and those who are truly terrified of baking), get ready for some recipes and ideas on this culinary art from the lovely Shannon in the coming weeks.

Tell us about yourself. My name is Shannon Sterling.  I work for The University of British Columbia as a Student Development Officer.  My role has me supporting and working with students who are engaged in their academic and co-curricular communities.  My work really focuses on leadership development and training as well as transition programming and support for new university students.  When I get home, I am a self-professed foodie.  I love to read recipes, surf blogs, garden and dream up random creations that take their inspiration from many places and people.  Add to the mix a love of reading and a new indulgence of golf and I’m pretty busy – not that I’m complaining!

Is there a certain food or dish that reminds you of home?
There are lots!  My mom was an avid cook and baker.  Some of my first memories are of me sitting on the counter watching her make batches and batches of whatever it was that struck her fancy.  If it came to a meal I would say my mom’s slow baked spareribs might top the list.  They were the “go to” meal when we had company.  It was also something we always did together, so there are great memories there.  They were sweet, savory and full of garlicky goodness.  They don’t make it onto our table very often because they aren’t the healthiest of proteins, but every once in a while a great treat.  If it was baked goods, hands down it would be my mom’s carrot cake.  Super moist.  Raisins, nuts, carrots and cream cheese icing to die for.  It is the one recipe she says is a “family secret” not be shared…

What is the ideal Shannon meal?
That’s a very difficult question.  It totally depends.  Are we going for ease?  Comfort? Indulgence?  If I’m cooking, and this is my ideal meal, it would have to start with a nice big cool class (or two) of Pinot Grigot or Pinot Gris.  I love puttering around the kitchen with a glass of wine in hand.  It feels so civilized.  The meal itself, I suppose would have to include a big fresh salad with homemade dressing, probably a spinach, feta and apple salad with bacon vinaigrette… seriously so good.  Mushroom risotto with lots of ooeey gooey cheese is something I make often and with ease, not to mention it is filling and has all those tasty meaty mushrooms in it.  The protein would have to be campfire cooked steak.  Whenever we go camping we only cook over the campfire (provided there are no campfire bans!) and the steaks are always amazing, there is just nothing like that on a gas grill in my humble opinion.  Finally, what meal would be complete without a dessert?  And pie is my favourite to make and to eat.  Pies of any variety are sweet and yet savory with the perfect flaky buttery crust. Fresh blueberries are on the brain right now, so I might say a blueberry pie, ala mode of course!

What are you having for dinner (or dessert) tonight?
Dinner tonight has to be easy and relatively heat free because we are amidst a heat wave right now.  I think it will be a chicken and Soba Noodle chili lime salad.  We have company
coming so I want it to be easy and stress free.  More time chatting, less time in the hot kitchen.  Dessert is going to be homemade chocolate ice cream with blackberries on top.

Is there one food that gives you the heebie jeebies?
As a kid I was pretty adventurous and willing to eat just about anything.   I love to try new foods and to incorporate them into my home cooking.  The only thing that I can remember actively turning down was chicken feet!  There is just something about the look if it that makes my skin crawl, sorry to those good friends who swear they are so good, I just can’t go there!    Though I am apparently really missing out, so maybe one day I will take the plunge and try my first chicken foot…maybe!

What do you say to people who don’t like baking because it’s too ‘by the book’?
I would say, no you don’t!  I am a self-professed poor recipe follower.  I read recipe books like novels.  I never tire of them, they inspire.  Yes, baking is more of a science, measuring  is certainly important to the makeup and chemistry of the piece.  However, you can modify and personalize as you become comfortable.  Everyone has to start somewhere.  Think about elementary school, you didn’t just freehand your alphabet the first time did you?  No, you probably traced a whole bunch of your ABC’s.  Baking is like that, the recipes are dotted lines or your training wheels and then once you get the hang of it you can start personalizing and making it your own.

What are you plans as guest blogger here?
I want to share my love and passion for food and for the process of creating memorable meals.  I also love connecting stories to recipes.  I hope that I hear from readers or other fellow bloggers what it is they are making, why they love it and what inspires them to create and experiment in the kitchen.

There is this very cool thing happening in Vancouver. It involves food,  meeting new people, and getting out of your recurring routine. This very cool thing is called Social Bites, and Annika Reinhardt is the creative genius behind it. Oh, and not to mention the event planner, sponsorship coordinator, publicist, marketing manager, web designer, call center - basically she does it all and she’s awesome at it.

The premise behind Social Bites? Hobby chefs prepare their favourite savoury dish in their own kitchen. Each hobby chef welcomes four dinner guests in two “sittings”. The hobby chef spends about one hour with the first four guests, eating and mingling. Goodbyes are said and the next four guests are welcomed. Another exciting hour is spent with new friends before everyone heads off to the Social Bites Hot Spot location. Then the guests judge the dishes they ate, feedback is polled at the end of the evening, and the Social Bites Hobby Chef Award is presented to the hobby chef winner. Fun!

About Annika:
I love to entertain and cook. I hardly ever follow a recipe which maybe explains why baking is not my forté. I love sharing my food experiences with others because I find it inspiring. Having a great meal with great people is what I call “a perfect night out”. Since I eat a lot, I have to work out a lot, or at least I try to. I love running along the seawall, I snowboard, bike and recently started yoga.

Is there a certain food or dish that reminds you of home?
I was born and raised in Germany, about 2 ½ hours southwest of Berlin in a small village (+/- 700 people) called Reinsdorf. My mom is a great cook and the first dish she makes when I get home is Schnitzel. Very German, I know.

What is the ideal Annika meal?
I love to entertain; hence any meal that involves more people than just me is perfect. I actually like using a Raclette grill for dinner parties. It’s almost like a table BBQ with small pans used for melting Raclette cheese. I believe the French invented it, even though the Swiss will argue it was their idea. It’s great if you have 6-8 guests. The best part about it - it’s not that much work for the host as everything is cooked at the table and everyone can create their own meal.

Do you have a favourite spot for dining out?
I love Vijs. I am a total sucker for Indian food and I really like Vikram Vij and Meeru Dhalwala who own the restaurant. Vikram actually speaks German as he studied hotel management in Austria. My new favourite dish at Vijs is the cricket bread with roasted crickets on the side.

Is there one food that gives you the heebie jeebies?
Fish used to give me the heebie jeebies. I had a fish phobia for the longest time. I could not look at fish, swim with fish and certainly did not eat fish. My mom said that when I was 4 years old I already requested that my food was made in a different pan than the one she used to fry fish in. I got over my phobia about 2 years ago on a trip to Belize. First time I really snorkeled with fish and we even caught a barracuda. The locals breaded our catch and grilled it, simple but absolutely delicious. Since then, I have tried all kinds of white fish, mussels, prawns, shrimp etc. I still can’t do Salmon or Sushi but I am hopeful that I’ll eventually get there.

Knowing you and the idea behind Social Bites, what is you advice to others who may be hosting an upcoming dinner party?
I have three tips. They might be obvious but sometimes we forget about them:

1. Know who is coming for dinner. Don’t serve fish if one of your friends has a fish phobia (I am speaking from experience here!).
2. Make your dinner party entertaining. A chat around the dinner table is great but try to spice it up a bit with some fun food trivia questions, a foodie gift, or a quick educational “food speech”. Your guests will appreciate it and new dinner conversations are guaranteed to come out of it.
3. Always say thank you. Call or send an email to your friends after your dinner party and thank them for coming. Often dinner guests bring drinks or dishes to a dinner party and there is nothing better for them than hearing their contributions were appreciated.

** Annika is always looking for hobby chefs ready to cook up a storm at one of her Social Bites Dinner Excursions around town. If you love food and want to show off your cooking skills, please send a note to annika@socialbites.ca for more information!

As part of our foodie interview series Chewing the Fat, we recently interviewed Christy from the Australian foodie blog Fig & Cherry. Now Fig & Cherry has been nominated in the Blogger’s Choice Awards for Best Food Blog. Woo hoo Christy, congratulations!

If you haven’t already visited her blog from our interview with her, or otherwise, please do so here…and if you enjoy it, you can vote for it here.

Good luck Christy!