Winter came as sort of a shock to us Okanaganians this year. After a difficult, wet spring we were blessed with marathon hot summer days – the kind of summer I remember growing up with here. Because of this bizarre weather, word is 2012 is going to be a phenomenal vintage – best since 2005. Do plan to get your orders in to your favorite wineries early next year.
This was also a special year for me – I published a cookbook. A dream fulfilled, The Butcher, The Baker, The Wine & Cheese Maker: An Okanagan Cookbook’s pages are filled with the familiar faces of our incredible food and wine country. The recipes are a compilation from our best chefs across the valley – each one paired with a farmer that they work with and a winemaker, creating stories of the relationships between these three key creative people behind the menu. It is a celebration of wine country and a tribute to these amazing, passionate people – many of whom I am proud to call my friend. This book is for them and marks the renaissance of the spotlight including the farmer – the key person in the food chain.
Happy Christmas and warm wishes from the team at Food & Wine Trails Magazine for a 2013 filled with joy, love and laughter… and of course delicious food and wine.