Edible Vancouver Island May/June 2024

When I was around nine years old, my family moved into a brand-new house, and my mom told me that I could choose the colour of paint and carpet for my bedroom. I was giddy! But I couldn’t decide between pink and purple paint or a pink and-purple patterned wallpaper, so I decided to have all three: one wall was pink, the other purple and the rest of the room was wall papered–and the shag rug was pink with a hint of purple. I loved that room! My love of colour has since become a strong influence in my cooking. My favourite thing to do on a Saturday is to visit the farmers' market and buy fresh produce and flowers, and then put all the beautiful, colourful market finds on my kitchen

PUBLISHER + EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Karen Elgersma

ART DIRECTOR Leanne Von Hollen EDITOR

Danielle Steiner COPY EDITOR Trish Weatherall OPERATIONS MANAGER Corry Matechuk SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Jenny Leung PHOTOGRAPHERS

Heidi Richter Sabrina Currie Elizabeth Nyland Jenny Leung AD DESIGN Leanne Von Hollen ADVERTISING ediblevancouverisland.com/advertise Peggie Terry Thom Klos Kimberly Johnston 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

island and plan what I will make for dinner–and how it will be served. Over the years I have learned from some amazing chefs the art of plating, and Carolyn Heller’s article (page 24) shares many of these insights from local chefs on how they ensure a dish’s colour and other aesthetics will perfectly complement its carefully curated flavours. As we celebrate Pride Month, we are also delighted to feature an article by Adrian Paradis (page 28) on the delightful LGBT2Q+ restaurant Friends of Dorothy, who pride themselves on their technicolour craft cocktails, dazzling décor and over-the-rainbow culinary experience. And since this May/June issue revolves around colour, of course we have to pay homage to the incredibly vibrant community of Victoria’s oldest Chinatown in an article by Charlayne Thornton-Joe (page 30). This issue is full of colour, but it’s truly the people and businesses behind every story that bring life and personality to its pages. We are so inspired by hearing the stories of the people behind the vibrant food and drink scene of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands–and hope that you are, too. Karen Elgersma

I’d like to dedicate this issue to my beautiful mother-in-law, Joyce Elgersma. You taught me the value of community, connection and faith. You have been the rock of this family, and your unwavering love has given us deep roots and a sense of belonging. We love you always.

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ISSUE 27 • MAY/JUN 2024

ISSUE 27 • MAY/JUN 2024 CHINATOWN • NATURAL DYES • MUSTARD

Celebrating Local Food Stories of Vancouver Island & The Gulf Islands

On the cover: Cocktails at Friends of Dorothy by Elizabeth Nyland