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The boys from Hanks *A Restaurant were guest-cheffing at Agrius and I knew I couldn’t miss it. While I admit I haven’t spent as much time as I’d like with the Hanks fellas, (and Laura!) I know them well enough to know that this was going to be an epic joining of talents and food and fun and ambiance and all of the best things you could ask for in a dinner party. We started out on the patio with a merging of appies – some from Hanks and some from Agrius – and drank Zanatta Brut and passionfruit beer. With a warm Hefeweizen glow, we piled into the dining room with our Wagyu beef shin pastrami sandwich ‘amuse bouche’ (I quote this because they were huge). There, we continued the feasting, partook in a unique and amazing cocktail like only Brooke Levie can make, listened to chill tunes from the DJ and made new table-friends amongst twirling pasta, steelhead and caviar and H.F. ducks. (see below for the explanation on that). The night was long and fun and we were all lulled into a comfortable state of satiation and familiarity by the time it ended with Peach Zelda and La Stella Moscato – a perfect ending to a truly fantastic night. (thank you table mates!) So, there you have it. I was going to write a big long story about this night and how it all unfolded. Though, I think this little story will suffice. I’ll let the photos do the rest of the talking.

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vancouver food and lifestyle photographer

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vancouver island food and lifestyle photographer

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vancouver food and lifestyle photographer

victoria food and lifestyle photographer

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victoria food and lifestyle photographer

victoria food and lifestyle photographer

vancouver food and lifestyle photographer

vancouver island food and lifestyle photographer

victoria food and lifestyle photographer

vancouver food and lifestyle photographer

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victoria food and lifestyle photographer

vancouver island food and lifestyle photographer

victoria food and lifestyle photography

vancouver food and lifestyle photographer

victoria food and lifestyle photographer

victoria food and lifestyle photographer

victoria food and lifestyle photographer

food and lifestyle photographer

victoria food and lifestyle photographer

vancouver food and lifestyle photographer

victoria food and lifestyle photographer

victoria food and lifestyle photographer

victoria food and lifestyle photographer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…so of course we blogged about it.

There were many pivotal birthdays in my family this year, including this first-time double-digit one. And while many were being celebrated, we waited until a summer trip to Quadra Island to take advantage of the trees and light to capture this monkey properly. Happy 10 years, T!

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food and lifestyle photographer Vancouver BC

food and lifestyle photographer Vancouver BC

Food and Lifestyle Photographer Vancouver BC

 

Food and Lifestyle Photographer Victoria BC

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Despite the rain for 2/3 days on Quadra, we had such a great time together. The usual – food, drinks, exploring, relaxing. All the good things.

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Quite often, in my travels, I meet some people, or visit a place that sticks with me. Ravenhill Herb Farm proved to be one of these places, when I visited this past Spring, on an overcast, yet barefoot worthy day. Not only was the property gorgeous and offered me endless photo opportunities, but the owners Brea and Todd, and their two cherubic children were welcoming and informative. I wanted to stay all day and drink their homemade kombucha. Pet their two giant dogs. Chase chickens. Pick garlic scapes. I’m positive I out-stayed my welcome.

I’ve always remembered Ravenhill as the home of Andrew Yeoman and Noel Richardson, Vancouver Island farm celebrities, who in the late ’70’s, brought the farm back to its garden glory, as it was in the 1940’s. I have a couple of Noel’s books – Summer Delights and Winter Pleasures – two books that take us on herb-y journeys through their respective seasons, and teach us about growing and cooking herbs, a subject that Ravenhill has always been famous for.

So, when I learned that Brea and Todd bought Ravenhill in 2014, I was curious about what I would find. These two own and run Pacific Rim College in Victoria, a school of complementary and integrative medicine, plus run their farm, plus raise their children, plus grow every vegetable known to mankind on their 10 acres. They are inspiring to say the least. And I loved, loved photographing them and their space.

In all honesty, that day with them really did inspire me to resurrect my garden (subsequently destroyed by deer..grrr), revamp my kombucha and sauerkraut and other fermented food making factory, and rethink my 20-something-year-old consideration of Herbal Medicine and Holistic Nutrition as a career. (I quickly slid back into photographer mode). In any case, it was a pleasure to hang out with this lovely family, listen to some bees buzz, and dodge sideways running goats.

Here’s what I saw…

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best food and lifestyle photographer

best food and lifestyle photographer

best food and lifestyle photographer

ravenhill

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vancouver food and lifestyle photographer

vancouver food and lifestyle photographer

vancouver food and lifestyle photographer

vancouver food and lifestyle photographer

vancouver food and lifestyle photographer

vancouver food and lifestyle photographer

vancouver food and lifestyle photographer

vancouver food and lifestyle photographer

vancouver food and lifestyle photographer

vancouver food and lifestyle photographer

vancouver food and lifestyle photographer

vancouver food and lifestyle photographer

vancouver food and lifestyle photographer

vancouver food and lifestyle photographer

vancouver food and lifestyle photographer

vancouver food and lifestyle photographer

 

Earlier this year, I created some still shots for a super exciting project. 291 Film Company has spent the past several  years traveling the world, creating a documentary called Bugs on the Menu – a study and observation on using insects as a sustainable protein. Not for everyone, I know, and if you’re squirmy, you might not like this. However, “two billion people eat bugs as part of their regular diets. And the trend is catching on.” More than just trendy, it is an important shift in environmental awareness, and simply, a state of mind.

Beyond the global impact and perspective though, 291 Film Company invited six local Victoria chefs to create amazing dishes out of crickets and mealworms! Not an easy feat, I would imagine, but if you know the chefs who were involved, you, like me, would be confident in their gourmet abilities. Here is what we shot/ate/loved.

Part and Parcel and their Cricket Cavatelli with Grant and Anna

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best food and lifestyle photographer

best food and lifestyle photographer

best food and lifestyle photographer

Big Wheel Burger and their Critter Fritter Burger with Jason

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best food and lifestyle photographer

best food and lifestyle photographer

best food and lifestyle photographer

Choux Choux Charcuterie and their Punaise Terrine with Matt

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best food and lifestyle photographer

best food and lifestyle photographer

best food and lifestyle photographer

OLO and their Caramel Cricket Crunch Sorbet with Brad

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best food and lifestyle photographer

best food and lifestyle photographer

best food and lifestyle photographer

Clay Pigeon and their Orange Ricotta Pancakes with Marko

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best food and lifestyle photographer

best food and lifestyle photographer

And last but not least, Origin Bakery and their Hearty Bug Nut Brown Bread with Tara and Marian!

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best food and lifestyle photographer

best food and lifestyle photographer

best food and lifestyle photographer

You can see the official Bugs on the Menu website here, developed by the wonderful Secret Location out of Toronto. And watch for the movie! In select cities, and coming soon to the Documentary Channel!

 

 

Last week, I attended and photographed a wonderful floral arrangement workshop hosted by the dynamic group of Thorn and Thistle and Verbena Floral Design.  Not only were we spoiled with the expertise of Vanessa, Alex and Nicole, but we also indulged and imbibed in cheese from Charelli’s, cupcakes from Ruth and Dean, and cocktails made with Ampersand gin (my favorite). Claire was there, too. She is the genius behind the truly incredible flowers we used, brought all the way from her small farm, Earth Candy Farm, on Saltspring Island.

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The workshop took place at Thorn and Thistle’s latest location, a bright and lovely spot adorned with such product as Wild Hill Botanicals! (who were so kind as to gift us all with a vanilla and almond lip balm). I recognized some of the faces that attended, and met new faces, too.

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best food photographer best lifestyle photographer

thorn-and-thistle-4

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best food photographer best lifestyle photographer

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best food photographer best lifestyle photographer

best food photographer best lifestyle photographer

best food photographer best lifestyle photographer

Thank you lovely ladies, for such a fun evening!

  • Cathy Raymond - March 30, 2016 - 10:02 pm

    This was a great evening! Such fun, great food, informative, and I came home with a lovely arrangement! Did I mention the lovely ladies who shared their expertise? Amazingly talented and helpful.
    Thanks to all of you!

  • Rebecca - March 30, 2016 - 10:19 pm

    Cathy, it really was! It was a pleasure meeting you and watching all of the beauty unfold! ~ Rebecca

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