British Columbia's Current Food Scene from The World's Greatest Honeymoons

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The Current Culinary Scene

British Columbia's bounty of quality raw ingredients—not to mention its hefty helping of farmers, vintners, chefs, and artisan producers—is as satisfying and memorable as the scenery. All combine to form a mix of world-class restaurants, authentic ethnic foods, top-notch cheap eats, and great culinary adventures that will have you reaching for your knife and fork more often than your camera! Here’s a look at some of BC’s notable foodie regions.

Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island, a short ferry or float plane ride from the bustling city of Vancouver, is home to many exceptional food experiences. That's due not only to the variety and quality of local goods but also to the talent of the area's artisans and producers. With its moderate offshore breezes and wealth of world-class chefs, the fertile Cowichan Valley and surrounding environs are leading the way in BC’s culinary renaissance.

A taste of the island's unique products can be unearthed minutes from Swartz Bay ferry terminal, where most travellers disembark, at Marley Farm. Owned by relatives of the late musician Bob Marley, this working farm and winery produces a wide range of varietal and fruit wines. One example: Kiwi Solera, a dessert wine fashioned from locally-grown yellow kiwis, is reminiscent of Spain's Solera sherries.

Speaking of apples, just around the corner sits one of the island’s newest culinary attractions and its second cidery. Opened in July 2007 on the Saanich peninsula, Sea Cider Farm and Ciderhouse is home to outstanding organic ciders ranging from delicate (Kings & Spies) to robust (Rumrunner). Further north, close to the Mill Bay ferry terminal, is award-winning Merridale Estate Cidery.

Fairburn Farm

An hour’s drive north of Victoria, the picturesque Cowichan Valley is a foodie’s nirvana with its wineries, fromageries, culinary retreats, and farmers markets. Set up base camp with Mara Jernigan at historic Fairburn Farm, one of BC’s favorite culinary retreats. As with any working farm, there is plenty to do and eat; Jernigan hosts cooking classes, traditional Sunday lunches on the huge wrap-around porch, and even private dinners. The farm is also home to North America’s only herd of mozzarella-producing Water Buffalo.

>>Wineries, breweries, and cideries on Vancouver Island.

Greater Vancouver

Unlike the laid-back lifestyle of Vancouver Island, Vancouver is a contrasting bustle of activity—just as you'd expect from any Pacific Rim hub. And where cultures meet, outstanding epicurean experiences result.

A host of cultural influences entice the epicurean in various food districts including Chinatown, Commercial Drive (the Italian District), and Main Street (Indo Canadian district). While Vancouver Island is more about the farms, Greater Vancouver can best be experienced through its many restaurants.

A Bakery Display, Granville Island

Then there’s Granville Island—the region’s foodie mecca. Here locals, chefs, and tourists mingle amongst the plethora of shops dedicated to all things indigenous. From Canada’s first artisan sake maker to a small goat cheese producer, Granville Island is a showplace for the region's culinary best.

If you’re hungry after visiting Granville Island, head to the locals’ favorite seafood shack—Go Fish. The little blue hut is home to some of the best and cheapest eats in the city and features the fresh catch of the day right off the nearby docks.

For a more upscale meal, break bread at some of Vancouver’s favorite locales, which continue to earn critically acclaimed reviews worldwide. West, situated on the South Granville slope, exemplifies local cuisine prepared using classical French techniques. A few blocks away, Vikram Vij mans the floor of his eponymous restaurant. Hailed as one of the best Indian restaurants in North America, Vij skilfully marries traditional Indian cookery with BC’s freshest local products.

Okanagan & Similkameen Valley

Another noteworthy culinary destination in BC is the province’s vineyard and orchard region, just a four-hour drive from the city. With more than 100 grape and fruit wineries, plus a variety of cheese makers, fruit orchards, roadside vegetable stands and restaurants, the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys offer a taste for everyone. (Photo: Apricots in the Okanagan Valley)

Explore the scenic route to the Okanagan via the Crowsnest Highway, winding through the Similkameen Valley—an example of what the Okanagan was like long ago. Small boutique wineries, such as Orofino, dot the landscape and are raising the bar—not just for the region, but for BC as a whole—with their award winning wines. In this picturesque valley you might take in the hospitality at Harvest Moon Guesthouse, near Keremeos; nestled on an organic farm, the three-room guesthouse features a hot tub in the orchard (perfect for gazing at the stars each night), a basket of organic fruits and vegetables, and a bottle of tantalizing fruit wine.

Another idea: visit the Naramata Bench, with its incredible assortment of wineries such as Lake Breeze Vineyards, whose patio restaurant combines Mediterranean influences with local products. Sip a glass of their most popular wine, Ehrenfelser, or try the unique Pinotage, a robust red that reflects the winemaker's South African heritage.

When to Visit

Many local farms and wineries provide unique venues for festivals and events that keep BC’s food and wine scene buzzing year-round—making any season a good time to visit. However, May to October offer the best selection of fresh fruits and vegetables. If visiting at this time, take in the Feast of Fields events in Whistler, Vancouver, and on Vancouver Island.

A Feast of Fields Celebration

In winter months, be sure to hit Cornucopia (BC’s biggest food and wine party, it's held in Whistler each November) or the Icewine Festival (in the Okanagan each January).

Spectacular British Columbia has long been known for its beauty and accessibility to pristine wilderness; adventurers come from across the globe to ski, snowboard, hike, swim, fish, bike, climb, and play here. And now BC’s culinary scene offers yet another reason to explore the ocean, mountains, valleys and woodlands that define this province as extraordinary.

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Article written by Eric S. Pateman, edited by WGH. Photos: www.HelloBC.com/JF Bergeron (Apricots); bmann (Feast of Fields); Suzanne Rodriguez (Granville bakery)