April 2008
Eat In
New World Provence: Modern French Cooking for Friends and Family by Alessandra and Jean-Francis Quaglia is a love story as much as a cookbook. The husband and wife team from Provence Mediterranean Grill and Provence Marinaside met in a kitchen in Nice, France, where they cultivated their love of Southern French cuisine—and each other. Now, after more than 10 years in the Vancouver restaurant scene, they mark their continued commitment to Provence-style cuisine with this gorgeous cookbook. A focus on seasonal, sustainable choices puts a West Coast spin on classic dishes. The book is also a tribute to their mothers, who bestowed their foodie passion on their children. In turn, Alessandra and Jean-Francis are passing it on to their two sons. arsenalpulp.com
Check Out
The name of this Whistler company is a clever play on the French word for “tea” and a Sanskrit greeting. Namasthé Tea Co. features organic, whole-leaf teas with blends concocted by company founder Isabelle Ranger, a yoga enthusiast and registered herbalist who creates teas for her patients. While Starbucks-owned Tazo Tea’s slick branding suggests their teas are based on ancient recipes and modern-day savoir-faire, Isabelle’s teas really are steeped in herbal lore and an understanding of the times. Flavours including Fresh Tracks, a breakfast blend inspired by the crisp mountain air, the unique EchinaChai, and the calming herbal Savasana are helping Isabelle fulfill her dharma: to change the world one cup at a time. Available at Whole Foods. namasthe.ca
Eat Out
Quick—get your bike out of storage and in for a spring tune-up, because if this event is half as cute as its poster, you won’t regret it. Slow Food Vancouver gets in the cherry blossom spirit April 19 and you and your two-wheeler are invited. Bike the Blossoms promises a self-guided bike tour of the pinkest streets, with neighbourhood pit stops at community centres and eateries where you can sample artisan foods from Fraser Valley farmers. For further assurance of the “darling” factor of this free event, check out their website for details of a treasure hunt, brought to you by the Slow Food Vancouver Scavenger Hunt Subcommittee. Pre-register on the website, and pick up your route map at VanDusen Garden on event day. slowfoodvancouver.com
Trish Kelly lives and eats in Vancouver. She loves crème brulée, keeners, and safety-conscious escargots. At her request, SharedVISION donates Trish’s freelance fee to a local foodfocused non-profit organization. This month’s recipient is Quest Food Exchange (questoutreach.org), whose zero-waste policy redistributes donated food to 60,000 people a month.
