Edible Vancouver Island Fall 2022

I am writing this from Sydney, Australia, where it’s win ter—but feels like a Vancouver Island autumn. My new granddaughter, Sunday (nicknamed Sunny), brought me to this part of the world, dragging me away from my West Coast summer, but somehow as I look out at the early sunset, watching my daughter feed her rstborn, with a re blazing, soft music playing in the background and the smell of apple pie baking in the oven, I am reminded of why I love fall so much. Fall inspires us to gather around the table or the re, light some candles and be grateful for friends, family and the incredible bounty of food that the harvest brings on Vancouver Island.

PUBLISHER + EDITOR‚IN‚CHIEF Karen Elgersma

ART DIRECTOR Danika McDowell EDITOR

Danielle Steiner COPY EDITOR Trish Weatherall SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Jenny Leung PHOTOGRAPHERS Danika McDowell Janis Jean

Every anksgiving we invite to our table anyone who has nowhere to go for dinner. We never know who will take us up on our o er—one year we had 42 people! I must admit I was a little terri ed when the last family reached out and said, “Can we come? ere are 5 of us!” But we just added another table and everyone brought something and it was the best anksgiving ever. Gathering together is what this season is all about—and if you are looking for a meal that’s fun and a little di erent, check out Danielle Steiner’s article on raclette, a delicious tradition that will inspire a seriously epic dinner party (page 22). And something I have always been super conscientious about when we host big dinner parties is making sure there are some interesting non-alcoholic beverages available; lately I can’t get enough local kombucha! Joanne Sasvari’s story on this delicious and nutritious beverage showcases how this is truly a passion project for many local entrepreneurs (page 34). While I love this time of year, I do get a little despondent at the end of summer. But I have discovered the best cure for the “summer-is-over” blues is to plan a road trip, and Del Elgersma’s “Galiano Getaway” story will inspire a delicious fall retreat that will kick those blues to the curb (page 26). And if a fall camping trip is your idea of the perfect autumn escape, check out the article by Camilla Sampson about the Backyard Table in the Comox Valley from chef Stephanie Noel (page 12). May this season inspire long walks in nature where you gather colourful leaves for your harvest table, trips to your local farmers’ market where you nd the perfect pumpkin and lots of time with friends, family and new friends around the table enjoying all that our magical, delicious Island has to o er.

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Edible Vancouver Island magazine is published six times per year by Karen Elgersma Media INC. 140-4392 West Saanich Road, Victoria, BC V8Z 3E9

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Karen Elgersma

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On the cover: Pear and Sunchoke Pain Perdu—recipe on page 8. Photo by Janis Jean.