gifts Archives - West Coast Food

Shops & Markets December 21, 2019

6 Expert Tips to Last-Minute Christmas Foodie Gifts at Granville Island

By Joyce Chua, Vancouver Foodie Tours It’s the last “sprint to the finish line” to find a unique and thoughtful gift for everyone on that Christmas list. Luckily, here in Vancouver, we’re blessed with Granville Island – an area filled with Canadian artisans, one-of-a-kind goods, and delicious wares. The best part? It’s all at your fingertips – no shipping required. Check out these 6 expert tips on how you can find awesome last-minute gifts at Granville Island: 1. Arrive early or late Granville Island is a hub for Christmas activity, especially in and around the Public Market. If you’re able to shop the Island before 11:00am or after 4:00pm, you’ll avoid the masses and have a chance to chat with the bakers, chefs, artisans and makers. 2. Start at Make Vancouver Start at Make for a dose of gift inspiration. Start with a Canadiana t-shirt printed with images of Justin Trudeau,…

Shops & Markets December 9, 2019

Potter’s Farm & Nursery in Surrey Gets in the Christmas Spirit

by Catherine Dunwoody Imagine 28,000 square feet of Christmas entertaining ideas, delectable gift shopping, and décor all under one roof. The Christmas Store at Potters Nurseries in South Surrey is open now until Christmas Eve, and you have never seen a thing like it. The foodie on your list will love the thought you put into creating your own culinary gift basket, delicious hostess gift, or stocking stuffers for them. Think hot chocolate packs, dips, soups, crackers, sauces, jellies, British biscuits, and preserves from local wineries. Bacon candy canes? Why not. Ornaments with a food theme? How do a burger and fries grab you? And nutcrackers? Imagine an entire section dedicated to a jaw-dropping display and variety of options that make fabulous gifts. The Gourmet Food area offers thousands of products you won’t easily find elsewhere, including popcorn in at least 10 fun flavours, a staggering 30 flavours of hot…

Holiday November 26, 2019

Gifts in Richmond for All Your Favourite Foodies

By VisitRichmondBC.com With the holidays approaching fast, it’s time to start thinking about those gifts you want to buy. Especially when most of the people on your list probably have an overabundance of “stuff”, food and drink gifts can be ideal options since they don’t add to household clutter—and they taste delicious. Richmond has a wealth of different specialty food stores, as well as drink producers where you’ll find items to please the gourmands in your life. Give the Gift of Tea If you’re looking for the ultimate tea selection, head to Ten Fu Tea & Ginseng (Aberdeen Centre, 4151 Hazelbridge Way) where the knowledgeable staff will guide you through your purchasing decisions. The boutique has a range of pu-erh tea, a fermented tea that hails from Yunnan, China; plus oolong, jasmine, lapsang souchong (smoked black tea), and ginseng teas. Great Mountain Ginseng (Aberdeen Centre, 4151 Hazelbridge Way), a company…

Craft Food Products November 25, 2019

Gifts for the Foodie on Your List from Lonsdale Quay on Vancouver’s North Shore

By Gail Johnson For the food lover on your holiday gift list, North Vancouver’s Lonsdale Quay Public Market makes for one-stop shopping. Besides having a slew of locally made goods, the market by the water’s edge is a world away from echoey malls with panoramic outdoor views of downtown Vancouver. Here are a few take-home delights that will impress your discerning foodie friends. Giant Lollipops and Candy Canes from Olde World Confections These oversize treats will transport you straight to Dr. Seuss’s Whoville. Not your drugstore version, handmade peppermint candy canes are a full five feet long. Lollies large enough to make a Christmas stocking burst are wrapped with a ribbon and available in tutti fruity, lemonade, raspberry, strawberry, and cherry. Pickles from Kaylin & Hobbs Started by two Vancouver buddies who couldn’t find a New York style pickle in town, Kaylin & Hobbs makes multiple flavours of the crispy,…

Sweets December 4, 2018

Holiday Treats from Thomas Haas on Vancouver’s North Shore

by Catherine Dunwoody Chocolatier Thomas Haas has revealed their brand new holiday collection of Christmas-themed chocolates and candies, plus stocking stuffers and baked goods. A long-time resident of North Vancouver, Thomas and his wife Lisa own two patisseries, one on Harbourside (where the production kitchen is as well) and the other on Broadway in Kitsilano. The holiday goodies include Santa’s Belly — a chocolate crafted Santa belly filled with an assortment of salted dark chocolate caramels, cocoa nib crunch and caramelized almonds and hazelnuts dipped in dark, milk and white chocolate. An internationally acclaimed pâtissier, Thomas Haas gained experience in Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe and North America before settling in Vancouver in 2005. Haas is a fourth-generation pâtissier, and has held stints as Executive Pastry Chef at the Four Seasons Hotel, Executive Pastry Chef at chef Daniel Boulud’s flagship eatery Daniel on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, and has been singled…

Chef Stories December 4, 2017

Hot off the Presses: Ned Bell of Ocean Wise Publishes his First Recipe Book

Catherine Dunwoody Is there a seafood enthusiast on your Christmas list? We found the perfect present. Chef Ned Bell has his first cookbook recently published, titled Lure Sustainable Seafood – Recipes from the West Coast. Ned’s mission to bring sustainable seafood to restaurants and fish markets around BC, and now to our own kitchens with this cookbook has been impressive. As Dr. David Suzuki, award-winning scientist, environmentalist, and broadcaster says, “Ned’s passion for sustainable seafood is infectious and this book irresistible. Bring his recipes into your home to support healthy oceans.” Lure walks the reader through all things fish, from selecting to preparing, to cooking and serving fresh, delicious meals. With 80 recipes to make at home included, it’s a useful edition to any foodie’s library. Here’s a sneak peek with Chef Ned Bell’s recipe for Salmon Bake.