MyWestworld

A Fraser Valley Culinary Weekender

Posted on 19. Feb, 2010 by Sonu Purhar in Living

FOOD & WINE

In search of Obama’s fave White House cheese – made in B.C., no less

by Sonu Purhar

the getaway

For many travellers, the upper Fraser Valley calls to mind Harrison’s iconic mineral springs and spa, a 100,000-visitors-a-year attraction. Yet the region is ripe with lesser-known discoveries. Amply irrigated by the 1,368-kilometre Fraser River, the valley is one of B.C.’s major farming hubs, generating more than half of the province’s agricultural revenue. Perhaps not surprisingly, its diverse mix of fresh, organic produce and gourmet specialties is fast becoming the common denominator amongst the upper boroughs’ hundreds of family owned farmsteads.

The Farm House Natural Cheeses / courtesy Roam Mobility

In recent years, Harrison and Agassiz in particular have also ramped up the local culinary scene with a slew of community events. August’s Circle Farm Tour, for example, now entering its seventh year, is slated to host 2,000-plus slow-food lovers eager to nibble and nosh their way through the local bounty offered up by more than 60 farmers, roasters and growers. Last July’s farm-fresh picnic bonanza, Brunch on the Farm, a collaboration between specialty food homesteads Limbert Mountain Farm and Farm House Natural Cheeses, is another now-annual event thanks to overwhelming community response. Gourmands are taking note, too. Food columnist and celebrity Chef “Dez” (Gordon Desormeaux) hosts pick-your-own-ingredients cooking lessons in the Limbert Mountain Farm tea room, and word of Farm House Natural Cheeses has even spread all the way to the White House, where a platter of the dairy’s blue cheese and gouda was served at a presidential dinner last July by special request.

the hideaway

Along a winding dirt road just five km from Harrison’s seaside boulevard is South Garden B&B. Thanks in part to an unparalleled location – conveniently close to Harrison Beach but far enough away to retain the serenity of country life – the 1.5-hectare property’s three suites and one cottage are so popular that summer reservations must be booked a month in advance. (Our fave: the log-cabin-like Meadow Suite, complete with overstuffed bed, wood-burning fireplace and red-brick wall.) Made-to-order, locally sourced breakfasts are delivered in a wicker picnic basket along with dainty china and checkered cloths (the blueberry muffins are divine). But it’s the hammocks, rock waterfall, outdoor hot tub, private cooking lessons and spa services that transform this weekend retreat into a full-blown holiday, complete with hikes to the cliffside lookout for worth-the-climb valley views. From $120/night. 1-866-796-3048
the inside track

The way it was: The Agassiz-Harrison Museum’s charcoal-black wedding dress and bike-sized coffee grinders (604-796-3545). Java must-hav’a: The monsoon-cured Indian Malabar at the Back Porch coffee roaster and pottery shop (604-796-9871). Mr. Info Stream: Harrison Eco Tours’ Tony Nootebos – a mine of information on local wildlife, politics and history. The hairy truth: A certified Sasquatch researcher weighs in on “our big-footed brethren” – Harrison Visitors Centre (604-796-5580). Reel good eats”: Raven’s, for fresh seafood, hip decor and prime beachside views (604-796-8717).

>>For a spring-bloom roadtrip  in the region: Fraser Valley Roadtrip: Daffy Dally

Lead photo: courtesy Roam Mobility

Tags: B.C. foods at the White House, B.C. Fraser Valley Culinary Roadtrip, Chef Dez pick your own ingredients cooking lessons, Fraser Valley Agassiz Circle Farm Tour, Fraser Valley's Farm House Natural Cheeses, Limbert Mountain Farm, Nationally famous B.C. cheesemakers, President Obama's favourite B.C. cheese, the Fraser Valley, The Fraser Valley's Brunch on the Farm