VICTORIANS WINE AND DINE ALL SUMMER
Ocean Wise Swims Into Victoria
Beginning July 1, 2007, the Vancouver Aquarium is bringing their successful Ocean Wise program to Vancouver Island. Ocean Wise is a Vancouver Aquarium conservation initiative dedicated to helping restaurants and their customers make environmentally friendly seafood choices. The aquarium reviews the latest scientific information and then recommends sustainable seafood choices to Ocean Wise partner restaurants and markets ensuring all species used are caught in ways that minimize environmental impact and ensures the future health of the oceans. The Ocean Wise symbol on a menu or grocery display ensures that seafood item is the best choice to help protect ocean life. Participating restaurants in Victoria include The Fairmont Empress, Lure Restaurant, The Marina Restaurant, Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub and on Vancouver Island, The Landing West Coast Grill and Nimmo Bay Resort. For more information visit www.oceanwisecanada.org
New Ciderhouse Rules
On July 21, 2007, Vancouver Island's newest cidery, Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse, will open in Victoria, BC. Located on the Saanich Peninsula, 20 minutes north of Victoria, Sea Cider is a certified organic farm boasting panoramic orchards and ocean views. They grow certified organic heritage apples selected for their superior cider qualities and all ciders are crafted on site. Robust to delicate, still or sparkling, each Sea Cider label promises a balance of sophisticated flavours and aromas. Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse is the first cidery on the Saanich Peninsula and will be open to visitors for tastings, Wednesday to Sunday, 11:00 am - 7:00 pm. The Saanich Peninsula is arguably the newest and fastest growing agritourism region on southern Vancouver Island and is home to many local wineries. For more information visit www.seacider.ca.
Island Chefs Collaborative Farm Market
This summer, a new farm market designed and run by the Island Chefs Collaborative (ICC) is growing on Vancouver Island. Held every Thursday from 10:00 am - 6:00 pm in Bastion Square in downtown Victoria, BC, the market gives downtown residents and visitors the opportunity to taste some of the island's finest produce with local, primarily organic fruits and vegetables for sale at farmgate prices. Each week at the market ICC chefs will be on hand to provide recipes, cooking tips and explainations of the more exotic items for sale. Additionally, they will take some of that week's produce and create a dish that customers can take away with them or snack on while they shop. The ICC aims to increase public consumption of island grown produce and to decrease reliance on imported foodstuffs. Sales from the market will help provide income for local farmers, many of whom have come through the Island Chefs Collaborative funding program. For more information on the Island Chefs Collaborative visit www.islandchefscollaborative.com
History Bites
From August 3-5, 2007, a new culinary event called History Bites - An Edible Journey Through Victoria's Past will be held in Victoria, BC. Visitors will experience 100 years of Victoria's culinary influences from each decade from 1840 to 1940. Approximately 20 food booths will serve $1.00 "bites" representing cultural and historic dishes interpreted by modern chefs. The event will also include historical and culinary displays, entertainment and a beer garden. First Nations, Chinese and Jewish foods will be featured, to name just a few, as well as dishes from the eras of Fort Victoria and the Gold Rush. Venue locations include the Maritime Museum of British Columbia and Centennial Square. History Bites is organized in Association with the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association (BCRFA) and the Canadian Culinary Federation Victoria (CCFV). For more information visit www.bcrfa.com.
Victoria Symphony Splash
The 18th Annual Bayview Residences Victoria Symphony Splash will be held in Victoria, BC on August 5, 2007. The largest annual symphony event in North America and one of the city's most anticipated and popular free summer events, Symphony Splash transforms Victoria's picturesque Inner Harbour into an outdoor concert venue as the Victoria Symphony plays from a barge moored in the middle of the harbour. As the sun sets, the orchestra plays a perfect blend of classics and popular favourites creating a magical evening that comes to a dramatic close with Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture accompanied by fireworks. The Music Director of the Victoria Symphony, Tania Miller, is the youngest conductor of a major Canadian orchestra and the first Canadian woman to be appointed to such a position. For more information visit www.victoriasymphony.bc.ca.
Dragon Boating
The 13th Annual Victoria Dragon Boat Festival will be held August 17-19, 2007 in Victoria, BC's Inner Harbour. In Victoria, the water is a way of life and the sport of dragon boating has been increasing in popularity over recent years. Training occurs year-round, but dragon boating is most popular in the summer culminating with the annual Dragon Boat Festival. Ninety dragon boat teams from across North America with crews of 22 paddlers race head-to-head in a 470 m (1,540 ft.) sprint in full dragon boat regalia with timing drums thumping away. Fast and colourful, the races are just as exciting for spectators as the crews. The Victoria Dragon Boat Festival also includes on-shore cultural events including an entertainment stage with live music and dance, children's activity tent and food fair. For more information visit www.victoriadragonboat.com.
Information courtesty of Heather McGillivray of Tourism Victoria
Filed in REGIONAL/Victoria
