The Best of BC

Thanks to all of you who entered the Best of BC contest. All of the comments below are worthy nominations, and I encourage you to read the comments, seek out these products and support your fellow British Columbians who make them.

Comments

[Chris Brower]

The Fishery's products -- yup, all of 'em -- are the best. Even plain ol' tuna isn't plain ol' tuna when it's from The Fishery on Salt Spring Island. The company offers various types of salmon, smoked and not smoked, and tuna, again smoked and not.

I've sent Arnie's products as gifts to friends and business associates all over Canada. I get can the product here in Ladysmith at Bouma Meats, but I think they are available at fine stores elsewhere.

Speaking of smoked salmon, Mrs. Bouma's smoked salmon is just over the top in flavour. Mm-mm. UN-real.

Also, I would be remiss if I did not also mention Denman Island Chocolate. The high cocoa content Cocoa Loco is my favourite.

What a bounty we have here in B.C., particularly on the Island. Thanks for asking, Don. We enjoy your progam on the CBC.

Chris Brower
Ladysmith, B.C.

[Chris Campbell]

Natural Pastures Comox Camembert - the worlds best. I lived on brie and camembert for two years in France - I know. Rarely ripe enough in the stores 'cos it sells too fast. They also have a "parmesan" - I have large chunk in our fridge that we have been eating off for a year - It is incredible - not sure it is a production item.

Have you tried Saltspring Mussels?

And, of course, quality assured farmed Atlantic and Chinook salmon!

[Bruce Ruddell]

Hi Don;

I think that you should include any smoked salmon product that comes from Saltspring Island's Seachange Seafoods.They are simply the best smoked salmon products on this planet or in space for that matter. After all their products have been included on two different spaceflights and enjoyed by Canadian and US astronauts far above this planet.

Bruce Ruddell

[Carol Curry]

Can't do a real BC basket without Roger's Chocolates available at fine locations throughout BC! And...if there's room...most bakeries carry "Nanaimo" Bars.

[Duane Laird]

Westham Island Estate Winery makes a nice selection of berry wines. The blackberry would go nice with the smoked salmon, and the currant is excellent with goats' cheese from Saltspring.

Cheers.

[Carol Curry]

Another goodie....Summerland Sweets syrups and jams. The fruit syrups are fantastic, and are available in 'sugar free' for those of us who can't have the sugar. Available at many locations throughout BC including major supermarkets.
(Carol, from Chilliwack, BC)

[geoff scott]

lesley stowe's raincoast crisps(both kinds)should
be in this basket! I'll bet you know them and
love them too!

[Kristie Hammond]

Your BC basket would be incomplete without a Nelson Chocofellar bar! These chocolate bars are made in Nelson, BC and have quite a reputation. In January I was with the West Kootenay Suzuki group, who were visiting Ottawa on a SEVEC exchange. The group left a Nelson Chocofellar gift package with the security staff to be passed along to the Governor General, who was rumored to love Nelson Chocofellar bars. We were only 10 minutes into our tour when one of her staff came to tell us the Governor General woudl like to meet our group to thank us personally for the chocolate. The guides told us that never happens and by that time were wondering where they could get their hands on some of this very special chocolate! This specialty chocolate is widely available throughout the Kootenays. It is even marketed as far away as Toronto, which is where the Governal General first discovered it.

[Lois Richards]

You have to include Little Creek Orignal Dressing from the Okanagan. Goes great with their organic greens too. Too bad it won't be the summer games as the outstanding produce from Kelowna organic growers at Suncatcher Farms(available at the farm or at Nature's Fare) and of course Milan Djordjevich's tomatoes from Stoney Paradise Farm can't be topped.

I also vote for Denman Island chocolate, or any of the chocolates from Greg Hook at Chocolate Arts - decadent!!!

[Sumitra Robertson]

Hi Don,
The best smoked salmon in BC is smoked by the folks in Albion at Bruce's Market. The Lower Mainland's best kept secret is Bruce's own wild single smoked salmon (they only smoke wild salmon). It is absoluetly sumptuous. Try it with radish sprouts or on a ploughman's lunch platter accompanied by Mountian Meadow Sheep Diary's sheep feta in rosemary and olive oil - divine. Mountain Meadow is located in Chase B.C., but its products are avialable in the Lower Mainland.

From the comments here already it sounds like creating the basket will be even more fun than winning it.

Cheers,
Sumitra

[Mary Ann Hyndman von Erb]

I think that Natural Pastures Cheese Co.'s Comox Camembert that won 4th in the world last week should be included in the Best Of B.C. basket!!!Natural Pastures Cheese Co. has 3 gold medals for Canada, and are finalists with 3 cheeses again! They will find out Friday how many more Golds they've won. Natural Pastures has only been in business 31/2 years!!! A remarkable achievement!
I think that all of their wonderful cheeses should be included in the Best Of B.C. basket!!
Love your feature stories! Mary Ann Hyndman von Erb

[Esther]

My basket would not be complete without the following local delicacies: Indian Candy from the Fisheries on Salt Spring; Over the Moon Cheese; Ronny's Homous, Archichoke, Spinach and Tzaziki dips; Little Creek Dressing; Chcolate Biscotti from Uprising; Terra Breads; Dutch Girl chocolates (on the drive)and your very own Duqqa spice. I would of course top it all off with our great B.C. wines. If the Olympics were held in the spring I would take them to the EastEnd
Farmers Market and fill their baskets up there with the best that B.C. has to offer. Here's to great eating on the west coast.

[SeaChange Staff]

Well, we aren’t shy about it, we at SeaChange think our own smoked salmon is the natural choice for the gift baskets. Award-winning products and packaging that truly represent the taste of British Columbia. We’re tucked away on Salt Spring Island but we p rovide the highest quality all-natural seafood products to over 250 locations in 75 different cities and towns spread throughout British Columbia. SeaChange wild smoked salmon is packed and ready to go. Pick us!›

[Donovan Woollard]

Siska Traditions is a venture of the Siska First Nation (near Lytton) that produces jellies from berries harvested wild by community members. The venture has catalysed increased learning of traditional knowledge and language, and enables Siska members to attain a livelihood from the resources of their territory. Plus they make a mean huckleberry jelly! Available from the Siska Art Gallery & Museum and at conferences throughout BC.

Donovan Woollard

[Marianna Harris]

I think you should definitely include
Orange flavoured sweened dried moist cranberries from Cranberries Naturally in Fort Langley. (888-1989). They are a unique and fresh taste and a great snack.

[shirley choo]

B.C. is known for its fabulous ice wines, so I would like to suggest the Jackson Triggs Grand Reserve Reisling Icewine. To finish the basket we need Chocolate Sparkle cookies from Senses and fruit for dessert (Royal Gala or Amrosia apples,juicy peaches and Lapin cherries).

[Brenda Berck]

Two farmers at Trout Lake--and Granville Island-- Farmers Markets have completely changed how I eat tomatoes, beans and potatoes. The basket should include purple potatoes from Helmers Organic Farm in Pemberton and tomatoes (esp. heritage tomatoes) and French green beans from Stoney Paradise Farm in Kelowna. Taste sensations, locally grown!

[Trudy Reid]

I think we can make it a one stop basket by shopping at Bruce's Market in Albion. Their smoked salmon either fresh or canned is excellent. They carry BC made fresh bread. The rosemary thyme with a little bit of Woolwich Dairy goat cheese and lovely bowl of salmon chowder (the recipe which they will not part with) add some local fresh produce (whatever is in season, a bunch of local strawberries and add some Roger's and Over the Moon chocolates with that apple caramel pie and you have an excellent picnic. How can it get any better than that? Oh right a nice bottle of BC red wine.

[Sandra Richards]

You should include in your basket the best smoked Salmon! Double smoked, lemon pepper or honey at Bruces's Market, Lougheed Hwy. Albion.
Price about $12. per pound which is half that charged at Granville Island Market. If you bring in your own salmon, they will smoke it for you as well.

[Astrid Bordeville]

Please check out the Website of the Vancouver Spice Company. www.vanspice.com There are a couple of wonderful spice blends made right here in Vancouver! West Coast Clam Chowder, Pacific Seafood Seasoning or Salmon Seasoning. The blends boast no fillers, msg, salt or sugar. There are also spice Cards with a medley of three spices Boasting west coast flavours. The Company is owned by a woman who created all the blends and markets them to local gift shops and Seafood shops around the lowermainland and Vancouver Island.

[M. Favaro]

Peasant Bread from the Common Loaf Bakery in Tofino. It is a thick hearty bread with ever seed and grain you could imagine. A meal on all it's own.

[Christy Raynolds]

I, too, nominate the Natural Pastures cheeses made in Courtenay--they are all delicious, but there is one made with wasabi that is tasty and very unique.

[Paul Shuley]

Hello Don Genova,
I would like to nominate John Bull Foods' Meat Pies for the Pacific Palate Food Basket. These awesome, meal-size pies (over 30 varieties), have been made in Port Coquitlam since 1988. From the British flavour of the original Steak & Kidney, to the Curried Chicken & Vegetable, and everything in between, these pies are representative of the diverse culture of BC.
John Bull Foods can be found in downtown Port Coquitlam, at 2540 Shaughnessy Street. 604-464-2099.
John Bull's Meat Pies can be found at the better butcher shops and delis around the lower mainland.

[Veronika Ciastko]

At Granville Market, most weekends, I find wonderfully thin wafers with a BC sunshine face imprinted on one side, and on the other, a saying: "THE SIGHT OF THE SUN IS LIFE AND LIFE IS LOVE" all around the word: Vancouver. These wafers are delicious with coffee or tea and are much appreciated as a gift box by any light sweet snack connoisseur. Created by Vlado.
A "must" in the Pacific Palate Food Basket!

[Ron Hartman]

Hi Don.

Love your show. So glad to see that one of your fans nominated Indian Candy as their selection for the basket. Although I'm located in Toronto, I always make sure I get my double smoked salmon fix when I visit B.C.

I also strongly recommend including your very own Dukka in the basket. I am particularly fond of the spicy blend. It is fantastic on it's own as an appetizer with virgin olive oil and fresh bread. I've visited the Common Loaf Bakery in Tofino and would wholely recommend the peasant bread.