The Thunderbird: Vancouver businesses scramble to meet composting deadline

I began my Masters of Journalism at the University of British Columbia in September and as part of the program, all student work is published to the online news magazine The Thunderbird. 

My beat for the publication is sustainability and for my first piece I explored the adjustment process local Vancouver businesses – specifically restaurants – are going through in order to convert their waste management operations to compost collection. Diverting organic material from the waste stream was mandated by Metro Vancouver last Spring and began officially on Jan 1, 2015. All organic waste produced by commercial businesses is now supposed to be sorted into designated bins and end up on the compost heap rather than in the landfill. Apartments and condos are soon to follow suit in an effort to reduce the amount of waste produced in Vancouver and achieve the city’s goal of becoming the worlds greenest city. Read my article for The Thunderbird to learn more.

BC Living Article: Best Places to Eat in California’s Napa Valley

It is one of the worlds most natural partnerships – fine wine and good food. They are the most harmonious of pairs, as each works to enhance the other’s flavour. It comes as no surprise then that California’s Napa Valley has become known for not only their world class wines but their culinary culture as well. Over the years the valley has drawn chefs from around the world, who’s restaurants have earned critical acclaim and a few michelin stars for the amity created between menu and wine. 

This past summer my family, along with our longtime family friends, whiled away a beautiful ten days sampling all the cuisine this region has become famous for. Lunch, dinner and dessert all became welcome excuses to explore Napa’s diverse restaurant scene and savour a bottle or two (as is custom in the valley). Overall this delectable experience will not soon be forgotten, but there were a few places in particular that are worth not just remembering but also recommending. Here is the article I wrote for BC Living listing my top picks for Napa Valley fare.

Family reunion!

BC Living Article: Get This Look: Tacofino Commissary

Since first rolling onto the Vancouver scene in two brightly coloured food trucks, Vancouver Island’s Tacofino has made its Baja inspired food fare famous across town. It came as no surprise then, when last summer, 2012, they opened their first stationary eatery along Vancouver’s revived Hastings strip. The Tacofino Commissary successfully brought the fresh flavours they offered on the street to the comfort of a casual sit down joint.

Their menu effortlessly blends classic asian and west coast influences to create  stand out items like the yam tempura taco, or the chicken karaage taco, plus of course the classic skirt steak and fish tacos. And to match the harmony they have mastered in the kitchen they recruited design specialist Omar Arbel to create an interior that effectively combines the natural with the practical. Check out my BC Living article for more information about the restaurant and some ideas to bring this design scheme into your own home.