Revelstoke foodies will reap the rewards of a summer of local food production this Saturday at the North Columbia Environmental Society’s Midsummer Night’s Green event at Benoit’s Wine Bar.
The event is returning with a new format. I spoke with organizer Hailey Ross about what’s on the menu. Here’s our conversation in bite-sized morsels, including lots of talking points for schmoozing at the event:
Ross says the participating restaurants will use local ingredients to create “something creative and something different.” She told me the staff at the Nomad have promised “to knock people’s socks off.” Many chefs are planning to get creative and highlight their talent.
“We kind of expect to see some pretty neat things coming to the event,” she said.
It’s a semi-formal affair featuring tapas plates from several local kitchens. Platters from each restaurant will be circulated one at a time to prevent a mad rush to the buffet. Unlike last year, there’s no judging.
Do you know what the most local winery is? Larch Hills near Salmon Arm, I’m told. Ross said they’re happy to have representatives from Larch Hills at the event. They’ll be providing wines, samples and information on their products – and it’s at Benoit’s so there’s lots more to choose from.
The food ingredients will include those grown at backyard gardens, and at Revelstoke’s Terra Firma Farm – and from the Revelstoke Farm & Craft Market.
The event is a fundraiser for the NCES Local Food Initiatives Committee – and they’ve certainly got lots of projects on the go if you’re interested in getting involved at the ground level.
The committee plans to continue work on education programs like the Farm to Table series that teaches kids the connection between the farm and the table.
They’re also working with the city to develop a local food charter. The goal would be to get everyone at the table discussing food issues. ”It’s something that provides a bit of clarity,” Ross explained.
Another possible new development is finding a new, larger location for a community garden in Revelstoke. Ross said the vision is for a collectively-managed garden divided into sections – tomatoes here, beans there – where fellow gardeners can learn skills from each other. “You help yourself to whatever’s there,” she said.
Another possible plan is partnering with the City of Revelstoke to turn landscaped areas into “productive space,” Ross explained.
Another future project idea is a garden and art tour.
Many of these initiatives require more (organic, vegetable-based) elbow grease, and the Midsummer Night’s Green event is a good place to start the networking.
The NCES is encouraging people to come out to Benoit’s Wine Bar this Saturday, Aug. 18 at 7 p.m. for the semi-formal event.
Tickets ($25 each) are available at Talisman on Mackenzie Avenue.