Edible Vancouver Island November/December 2023

I will never forget my first West Coast Christmas. I was 18 years old, and I had just moved to Vancouver from Edmonton. I had decided to take a gap year and work, make some money and explore this beautiful, new-to-me city. What I didn’t count on was how lonely I would be. Despite this, I was determined to experience every West Coast Christmas tradition I could, even if I had to do it alone. So, I went to the annual Sailpast at Vancouver Rowing Club, the lighting of the Christmas Tree at Robson Square, and I even strapped on some skates and twirled around the smallest outdoor rink I have ever skated on. I bought hot chocolate and sipped it while riding the Bright Nights Christmas Train in Stanley Park, I nibbled on roasted chestnuts at Granville Island and I had my first winter salmon dinner.

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 Jasmine Alexander D.L. Acken Danielle Steiner Derek Bissonnette AD DESIGN Leanne Von Hollen

I loved how different Christmas on the coast was, and I enjoyed being a lone traveller, exploring this new place. But I also remember thinking, “One day, I am going to have family and friends here I can share these experiences with.” Fast forward 38 years, and I still get a thrill when my family and I take in the Sidney Sailpast, go for a nature walk in the rain forest, or have a winter picnic on the beach like Theodore Cosco describes (page 32). There is truly nothing like the holidays on the coast; from the annual polar bear swims on New Year’s Day that Danielle Steiner enjoys (page 40) to planning the festive things we want to do (page 48) to deciding what new recipes we want to try–like Emily Lycopolus’ new twist on a traditional side dish (page 31). Regardless of the recipes you make and the gatherings you attend this festive season, may your holidays be filled with love, laughter and a deep sense of joy that comes from being with those we love. Karen Elgersma

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“For me, Christmas is the heart and soul of the cold months, the jewel in the crown of midwinter, the time to feast and to give. But it is, after all is said and done, just a few days that sit at the heart of the season. Three months of our year in which to offer warmth, welcome and something good to eat to all.” –Nigel Slater’s The Christmas Chronicles

ISSUE 24 • NOV/DEC 2023

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ISSUE 24 • NOV/DEC 2023 WINTER PICNICS • PEPPERMINT • HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES FEATURING OUR Holiday Gift Guide

Celebrating Local Food Stories of Vancouver Island & The Gulf Islands

On the cover: Mint Chocolate Icebox Cookies by Heidi Richter