Written By Guest Writer Edibles / Food Events Sep 24, 2012 Feast of Fields Cultivates Connections SHARE VIA: Facebook Twitter PinterestThe spread at Feast of Fields Vancouver Island Photo: MaryLou WakefieldVANCOUVER ISLAND. Last Sunday, my two sisters and I made the trek over the Malahat from Victoria, turned onto a winding country road south of Duncan past bucolic fields bathed in sunlight and followed the signs to Farm Folk City Folk’s annual Feast of Fields held this year at Alderlea Farm. Now in its 15th year, this moveable feast delights hundreds of participants who enjoy fresh, local fare. Most importantly, the event offers the opportunity to meet local farmers, fishers and other producers and make an enduring connection between the food they eat and those who produce it. Crab on Romaine Lettace Leaf from Cowichan Bay Seafood Photo: MaryLou Wakefield Producers easily engaged participants in convivial conversation during the 4-hour event. Gregg, along with his wife Anne Best of Cowichan Bay Seafood, explained what he hoped folks would take away from the experience. “I hope they get that it’s still possible to eat off the land and from the ocean without a whole pile of people in between,” he said. As we chatted, an enthusiastic participant leaned in to offer his comment after sampling Best’s simple presentation of fresh crab served on a crisp romaine leaf. “This is definitely the best I’ve had here today.” From there, we feasted on slow braised beef on polenta, marinated halibut, water buffalo mozzarella, emu pate, pork bratwurst, fresh strawberries, peach crumble with vanilla yogurt and my favourite, an inventive Finest at Sea albacore tuna and Galey Farm free run egg Nicoise Salad presented by Truffles Catering. Truffles made their mark on the classic with Sun Trio heritage bean and olive salad nestled in a Kildara Farm confit potato, drizzled with Dijon, egg and white truffle vinaigrette and topped with a Saanich Organics heirloom tomato chip. Salad Nicoise from Truffles Catering Photo: MaryLou Wakefield I met Selinde Krayenhoff, one of the farm’s 200 shareholders and a Feast of Fields volunteer in the on-site cafe. Selinde explained that Alderlea Farm is a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm owned and operated by John and Katy Ehrlich, and is both organic and biodynamic. Three days a week, the café prepares meals made from the farm’s veggies picked fresh that morning. “The more connected you are to your food, the more commitment you have to your farmer,” said Selinde, obviously exuberant about her own connection to the farm.Feast of Fields 2013, a fundraiser for Farm Folk/City Folk, will be held on September 22nd. Host farm TBD. —By Marylou Wakefield crabEdibleseventeventsfarmsFeast of FieldsFestivalfestivalsFundraiserVancouver IslandVancouver Island eventsVictoria SHARE VIA: Facebook Twitter Pinterest Written By: Guest Writer We get many people writing guest articles for us, as well as past contributors. This is the Guest ... Read More You may also like Food / Recipes October 25, 2021 Sopa Paella Try the iconic Valencian dish as a hearty fall soup brimming with seafood and chorizo. We were going through a heat wave in Victoria when I ... Read More Food / Recipes October 25, 2021 It’s a Pancake Day! That crisp edge in the fall air stirs up a craving for comfort that sometimes only a stack of hot pancakes can deliver. So get your cast-iron pan ... Read More Breads / Food / How to Cook / Recipes July 13, 2021 Rosemary and Feta Potato Loaf A delicious homemade bread is always a welcome treat that can really set the mood for a good day. This is an approachable recipe to bring to holiday ... Read More EAT Magazine News / Food News January 28, 2021 CITY EATS February | March 2021 If you haven’t yet taken advantage of Victoria’s free local delivery program, Downtown Delivers, you have until February 15 to try it ... Read More Food News / Pantry / Review January 28, 2021 Some Like It Hot — A Hot Sauce Tasting Party A Hot Sauce Tasting Party Gillie Easdon gathered 15 local, house-made hot sauces and four brave souls to taste-test them. It was a mid-October, late ... Read More EAT Magazine News / Food News December 7, 2020 EAT’s 2020 Gift Guide EAT’s 2020 Gift Guide. Not just for the holidays! Bolen Books Flavor by Yotam Ottolenghi ($45.00) Cat’s Meow Trivet ($6.95) Book Seat ... Read More Comments are closed.
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