Edible Vancouver Island Holiday 2022

I grew up in Edmonton in the ’70s, where Christmases were white, tinsel was considered a trendy decoration and the star dish of Christmas dinner was the Jell-O salad—my favourite was green Jell-O in a Christmas tree mold with grapes and marshmallows. One of my favourite childhood memories was buying our tree—despite the fact that every tree was frozen solid, wrapped in twine, and you had no idea what it looked like until you got home and let it thaw. One year my mom announced that the tree we bought was unacceptable—half of it didn’t have branches. She had heard about a tree lot that had the best trees, located near Candy Cane Lane. Us kids

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 DL Acken

begged my dad to listen to her and get the new tree, because it meant that we could drive through Candy Cane Lane, a legendary street in west Edmonton where every house had the best holiday decorations in the city. My dad nally gave in, and $60 dollars later, we got a new tree. We put so much tinsel on it I am not sure if we fully appreciated the beauty of it, but the memory remains sweet. e Island is lled with magical holiday experiences, whether you head out to one of our charming Christmas tree farms to nd the perfect tree (page 40, written by Camilla Samp son) or drive through historical Ladysmith whose Christmas “light up” is legendary and culinary experiences are delicious (page 22, written by Carolyn Heller). We hope this issue inspires you to plan a few new traditions this season. But if celebrating at home is more your style, our table-scaping experts Ashley Stelck and Patricia Pearson will inspire you with lots of fun, creative ideas on holiday table decor (page 28). And why not set the table for a holiday brunch this year with some delicious recipes from our friends down under, Bear and Joey Cafe (page 11)? I’d like to dedicate this holiday issue to my beloved brother Gregg Jonasson, who made my childhood Christmases magical; I miss you every day. And to my dear friend Matthew Howe who brought so much joy—we promise to keep singing, dancing and laughing throughout this season and beyond.

Dominic Hall Heidi Richter Janis Jean

Sabrina Currie AD DESIGN Leanne Von Hollen ADVERTISING Andrew Spark Dawn Postniko Peggie Terry ediblevancouverisland.com/advertise CONTACT US 140-4392 West Saanich Road Victoria, BC, V8Z 3E9 editor@ediblevancouverisland.com TO SUBSCRIBE Visit us online at ediblevancouverisland.com Edible Vancouver Island is published six times a year. Subscription rate is $42 CAD annually. LETTERS We welcome your feedback. To write to the editor, use the address above or, for the quickest response, email: editor@ediblevancouverisland.com

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

Karen Elgersma

No part of these publications may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher. Every e ort is made to avoid errors and omissions. If you notice an error, please accept our sincere apologies and notify us. © 2022. All rights reserved.

“What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace.” – Agnes M. Pahro

Printed in the U.S.

We Deliver! Subscribe at ediblevancouverisland.com to have copies delivered right to your door. Check out our website and follow us on social media @EdibleVanIsle for up-to-date events, recipes and news from the food and drink community of Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the surrounding areas.

On the cover: Holiday Wreath—story on page 18. Photo by Sabrina Currie.