– by Steve Duck –
Coming your way in March … local tastes to delight the palate! Awaken your taste buds to all that is locally grown and produced on the Saanich Peninsula. Sip & Savour Sidney takes place on Thursday,
March 27th at the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney.
With the Spring’s colourful flower bloom, emerging tree buds and thoughts of planting the garden, welcome the season with a celebration of flavours from your regional backyard. Buy local. Cook local. Eat local. While your taste buds sing, enjoy the sounds of local musicians Charlie Burton and the Craig Henderson Trio as you stroll through the gardens and fields of the Saanich Peninsula … all under one roof! Learn more about supporting sustainable agriculture and chat with local food experts.
The evening opens with a tasting or two of wine, spirits and cider featuring beverages from local producers. Here, you will be able to indulge in the Peninsula’s finest and find your new favourite. Try pairing your drink of choice with local treats … delicious hard and soft cheeses, handmade chocolates, or dip with a biscotti.
Sip a little before you Savour a lot …
Enjoy a gourmet dinner prepared by Red Seal-certified Chef Graham Little from Island Culinary Services. Savour a buffet of local vegetables, fruits, meats. and seafoods – a menu that will highlight the exceptional foods produced on the Saanich Peninsula. Be prepared for an evening of culinary excellence made with quality local products!
“This is an exciting time to be involved in food production on Vancouver Island. For decades, big food companies have been marketing to us with the message that quick, easy, convenient, and cheap are the most important attributes of food. However, there’s a significant and growing community here that sees how limited this view is. We see how food can enrich our lives in so many ways,” says Heather Stretch of Saanich Organics. “I get to experience the joy of growing good food from seed to market. But all of us can experience the enjoyment and fulfillment that comes from preparing and eating beautiful, delicious, sustainably produced, healthy local food. Rather than rushing through a mediocre meal and rushing off to another event, the meal itself can be the event. We can sustain not only our bodies, but also our relationships, our communities, and our agricultural lands every time we eat. I eagerly anticipate Sip & Savour Sidney as an opportunity to celebrate our local food culture.”
Dave Friend of the Growing Young Farmers Society: “On Vancouver Island we have become dependent on imported food … to such an extent that if the transport bringing our food came to a stop – for whatever the reason – we would then have only 72 hours of food supply! Therefore, we really do need more people growing more health-friendly organic food ON Vancouver Island FOR Vancouver Island!”
Tickets are $55 per person for the full evening, all inclusive and can be purchased from the Mary Winspear Cultural Centre, online at
www.marywinspear.com, by phone at 250-656-0275 or in person at the Centre. Advance ticket sales only, NO tickets will be available at the door. We are pleased to offer options to meet most dietary needs.
Sip & Savour Sidney will profile and encourage the public to support local farmers. Support local and become immersed in the region’s delicious beverages and foods at Sip & Savour Sidney, an event that will delight your palate. A remarkable evening you don’t want to miss!
