Food & Drink
Classic food phrases
Jul 15, 2023 / 4:00 am
Photo: Pixabay Apple cake a la mode Have you ever noticed how many strange words there are to describe different food dishes or styles of preparation? Even though many of us only speak English, most of us know these common terms from menus, cookbooks and general usage. I think I lea
Wine village in the works
Jul 14, 2023 / 6:00 pm
Photo: Summerland BottleNeck Wine Village Summerland BottleNeck Wine Village has announced it hopes to have their new endeavour up and running within the next nine months. In a press release issued Friday, the village said they hope to open their doors by March 2024. The project, simil
Ribfest seeks ranch home
Jul 13, 2023 / 11:07 am
Photo: Historic O'Keefe Ranch Vernon's Ribfest is hoping to make Historic O'Keefe Ranch its permanent home. After three moves in its first three years, the festival is looking to plant some roots. Organizer Elaine Gallacher says last weekend's event "went really
New exec chef in 'Kitchen'
Jul 12, 2023 / 5:00 pm
Photo: Italian Kitchen Vernon's Italian Kitchen has a new executive chef. Prasad Chavan is a Sysco Regina spring food expo winner with significant experience in the Okanagan. He was formerly head chef at O'Rourke Family Estates (Peak Cellar Winery). "The res
Prime drink recalled
Jul 12, 2023 / 9:18 am
Photo: The Canadian Press A caffeinated energy drink being promoted by American social media influencers is set to be recalled in Canada. Health Canada says Prime Energy exceeds the acceptable caffeine limit of 180 mg per can and should not be sold in Canada. Health Canada says it
Growers allege dumping
Jul 10, 2023 / 7:49 am
Photo: Castanet The BC Fruit Growers’ Association alleges dumping of American cherries onto the Canadian market. The Kelowna-based organization has initiated the first step of an anti-dumping trade action, to request the Canadian Border Services Agency monitor pricing and quantit
New boss for Phantom
Jul 9, 2023 / 4:00 am
Photo: Phantom Creek Estates Phantom Creek Estates has announced Francois Mateo is the new Managing Director as the Black Sage Bench winery set its sights high for BC wines. Phantom Creek aims to be instrumental in developing a collective mission, to further establish BC on the world w
Burrowing Owl Cab Sauv
Jul 9, 2023 / 4:00 am
Photo: Contributed Wine: Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Winery: Burrowing Owl Estate Winery Why drink it? Because it tastes good, of course. Seriously, though, I love giving Burrowing Owl reds as gifts. Wine lovers recognize the bottles as premium wine, somethin
History lessons with fun sips
Jul 8, 2023 / 6:05 pm
Photo: Summerland Museum & Archives Society The Summerland Museum 'popped-up' at the Summerland Heritage Cider Co. on Friday to share some local history The Summerland Museum is on the move — heading to local wineries and distilleries to share some history. Throug
Potluck proficiency
Jul 8, 2023 / 4:00 am
Photo: Pixabay Summer is a time for relaxing. Especially in the Okanagan where it feels hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk most days, most of us aren’t too keen to cook often. When people are gathering, it can be a lot of fun to have everyone contribute a bit of something.
Pick cherries for wine deals
Jul 6, 2023 / 8:00 pm
Photo: @bellahomestead Head out to Bella Wines in Naramata this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to help pick cherries for the animals on the farm and get a deal on their bubbly. The sparkling wine house shared on social media that guests coming out to taste wine can also help with their o
Celeb chef kitchen takeover
Jul 6, 2023 / 11:11 am
Photo: Facebook/Roger Mooking Vernon's Predator Ridge Resort is hosting celebrity chef Roger Mooking for an intimate kitchen takeover experience. Mooking is a chef, restaurateur, cookbook author, and visual and recording artist born in Trinidad and raised in Canada. He is the ho
Park party for a great cause
Jul 4, 2023 / 2:04 pm
Photo: Okanagan Falls Skaha Lake Winery Association file photo A unique event supporting a good cause and featuring wine, food and music is coming to Okanagan Falls. Frälik in the Falls, in the spirit of Party in the Park, will take place the evening of July 22 at Centennial Park
Best of the Bench is here
Jul 3, 2023 / 4:00 am
Photo: Contributed "Four seasons of fun" is an ongoing collaboration between Castanet and Visit Penticton showcasing what Penticton has to offer all year round. Watch for it every Monday morning. The second annual Best of the Bench event will be uncorking some of its best win
Bars feel same pressures
Jul 2, 2023 / 4:00 am
Photo: Unsplash/Amie Johnson Liquor industry insiders are as concerned about public safety as everyone else. Alliance of Beverage Licensees (ABLE BC) members met in Vernon this week, to talk with local liquor licensees, liquor store workers, pubs and bars and hear their concerns. Ex
2021 Kitsch Block Party
Jul 2, 2023 / 4:00 am
Photo: Contributed 2021 Kitsch Block Party Wine: Kitsch 2021 Block Party Okanagan Valley, British Columbia Winery: Kitsch Wines Why drink it? Because, as the winery team says, it’s a party — a block party — and we’re invited. One of Trent Kitsch&rsqu
As Canadian as...
Jul 1, 2023 / 4:00 am
Photo: Pixabay Poutine is considered by many to be truly Canadian food. Sitting on the edge of summer with our national day (Canada Day) of pride upon us, I am reminded of that phrase our neighbours to the south use: “As American as hot dogs and apple pie”. That doesn&rs
Picker campsite success
Jun 30, 2023 / 3:17 pm
Photo: Sebastian Kanally Left to right: Mark Pendergraft, RDOS board chair, Minister of Agriculture Pam Alexis, Area C RDOS director Rick Knodel A unique provincial partnership at the South Okanagan's largest seasonal worker campground might be an inspiration for other such collabo
All aboard the wine cruise!
Jun 30, 2023 / 4:00 am
Photo: Jon Manchester Shelley McDonald certainly "seized the day" when she started her business, Carpe D'Wine. McDonald moved from Edmonton with the dream of starting a wine truck. She ended up with a boat. So, of course, she started floating wine tours. Along wi
Tapas coming to Penticton
Jun 30, 2023 / 12:01 am
Photo: Instagram Christopher Royal has decided to add some Spanish flavour to Penticton’s burgeoning food scene. The managing partner of the wildly popular Pizzeria Tratto, Royal will soon be opening Chulo Tapas & Bar, a Spanish micro-restaurant that will offer small bites an