Flavour

Words Richard Hope A few years back in a London market in the U.K., I encountered a kombucha evangelist who was convinced his fizzy tea could cure a child's Type 1 diabetes. While I admired his enthusiasm for fermentation, I was a little concerned he'd been sampling a little too much of his own product.  [...]

Words Joan Saunders Photos Sarah Hartley Photography July is a glorious month, and outdoor dining is one of summer’s greatest pleasures. It’s lovely when we can sit outside, whether it’s on a deck, a patio, at the park or at the beach, on these perfect, long, drawn out evenings. One of my favourite ways to

Words Richard Hope Picture this: It's a warm July evening on your patio on Vancouver Island. The sun casts golden light across the San Juan Islands as you pour a glass of locally-made rosé. This scene, once uncommon in B.C., has become a summer staple. What was once dismissed as “white zinfandel” or “blush” has

Words Joan Saunders Photos Sarah Hartley Photography Don’t even try to think that I’m being stereotypical in making ribs for Father’s Day. I will happily devour homemade ribs on any occasion, even if no fathers are even remotely in the vicinity, as I always forget how good, and how easy to make, they really are.

Words Harninder Jacquot, Reel Meals YYJ Photo Sarah Hartley Photography I scream! You scream! We all scream for ... protein? Cottage cheese offers several health benefits, including supporting weight loss, providing essential nutrients and promoting muscle growth. It is also a good source of calcium, which is important for bone health. Whether you are a

Words Richard Hope With spring's arrival, B.C. wineries face unprecedented challenges. Two years ago, 50% of the grape harvest was lost to forest fires. In 2024, over 95% was lost due to extreme frosts. Alongside ongoing challenges with tariffs and changes to interprovincial trade, making wine in B.C. has never been more difficult. Yet, despite

Words Joan Saunders Photos Kathryn Brimacombe Photography As it’s May, we are lucky enough to be able to take advantage of a local, extremely tasty, springtime harvest: asparagus. Pick some up at a roadside stand or farmers’ market, then see what recipe strikes your fancy. You can bake asparagus, steam it, throw it into pasta

Words Joan Saunders Photos Kathryn Brimacombe Photography My mom used to make hot cross buns every year at Easter and it’s a tradition that I’ve recently rediscovered, as I’ve never been much of a bread baker. Why? Because homemade bread is so difficult for me to resist, especially when I’ve made some gorgeous buns studded

Words Richard Hope Top Picks from the 2025 Vancouver International Wine Festival Vancouver hosted its annual International Wine Festival at the beginning of March. I attended various events, including tastings, panels and masterclasses, that challenged my wine assumptions and gave me the chance to source some great recommendations. The event featured several seminars on sustainability

Words Joan Saunders Photos Kathryn Brimacombe Photography I do love to create a meal that focuses on a theme, and in March I can happily seize upon the opportunity to put together a delicious St. Patrick’s day feast. There are always the perennial classics that I could go for, like a hearty Irish stew or