Archive for the ‘Foodie Websites’ Category
Mixing drinks in the middle of the ocean
Thursday, June 23rd, 2011
On my recent transatlantic cruise from Florida to Rome, Italy, I was faced with the pleasure (and sometimes irritation) of a slew of sea days to start the trip before we hit our first port. There are endless things to do on a cruise ship floating over the waves in the centre of the Atlantic, and the staff are well versed in how to keep guest entertained.
A large part of cruising is the food and drink, and Holland America Line (HAL) knows its guests well enough to realize they had a captive audience lying in the sun with a drink in hand by the pool, and created the Mixology 101 class series. Taught in three sessions on longer cruises, shorter for some smaller voyages, the martini mixing classes take place at HAL’s poolside Ocean bar. Anyone is welcome to watch, but if you pay the $12 class fee you can sample all the cocktails and get some hands-on instruction (as well as a cheesy but cute ‘dipolma’ to take home). (more…)
Posted in Food, Foodie Websites, Travel, Travel - Cruising | No Comments »
Lady Marmalade makes a sexy Victoria breakfast
Monday, June 13th, 2011
I am lucky enough to have two talented Vancouver Island burlesque dancers as friends, and had the opportunity to watch them perform in Victoria, BC at last Friday’s Burlesque Explosion. After a great show and fun evening in Victoria’s downtown (Canucks had just won Game Five, lots of celebrating in BC’s capital city), we woke up the next morning hungry for a big, hangover-friendly breakfast. (more…)
Posted in Food, Foodie Websites, Vancouver Island | No Comments »
Enjoying the Best of BC Wines at the 2011 Swirl Gala
Tuesday, March 1st, 2011
The third annual Parksville Uncorked festival took place on the eastern shores of Vancouver Island this past weekend, and the wine did flow…
Parksville Uncorked began three years ago as a way for local resorts to bring together the best of BC Wines, paired with amazing Vancouver Island food right here in the picturesque oceanside city of Parksville. The weekend-long festival has expanded over the years to include winemakers dinners, bubbly brunches, beer sampling and educational wine seminars. But the jewel in the crown of the festival is still the Swirl gala wine and food tasting, back at the beautiful Beach Club Resort this year to tempt guests with fine wines and fantastic local food. (more…)
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Making bread and canning on a Sunday afternoon
Sunday, September 26th, 2010
I recently came across an old photo of my mother and I in the kitchen. I’m about 11 in this picture and it looks like I’m learning how to make banana bread. Memories came flooding back of of those fall afternoons helping out as my mother made bread from scratch and canned bushels of tomatoes (all this with four kids, I might add). I realized it was time that I jumped back in and started making more of the food we like to eat, and no time better than right now while the BC harvest is in full swing and produce is at its freshest. (more…)
Posted in Food, Foodie Websites, Vancouver Island | 2 Comments »
Howling Bluff Winery wins Gold Medal
Friday, September 17th, 2010
I just attended an inspired private tasting of Pinot Noir vintages from Howling Bluff Winery in Penticton at Naramata Benches.
Winemaker Luke Smith annouced during our tasting that he had just been notified (20 minutes before we arrived) that their 2008 Pinot Noir has won the 2010 Gold Medal Award from Wine Access.
I had the chance to sample their wines and my immature palate agrees – fantastic!
Congrats to Howling Bluff, now run out and grab a a bottle of their award winning 2008!
Posted in British Columbia, Food, Foodie Websites, Travel, Wine | No Comments »