Fall Colors Canadian Style - Chris and Steven let us down · Monday September 22, 2008 by colin newell
About a month ago we got a call from the CBC asking us to come to Toronto to appear on the Steven and Chris show – and like every other media outlet, newspaper and radio station, we bend over backwards to get the message out about specialty coffee. After all, it is our thing. The more we talk about the World of Coffee, the better it is for the people that actually work in the fields, on the farms, the coops and the processing factories – to bring you that cup of Joe that you love so dearly.
It is about the 12 million family members that grow coffee. Not us. Them.
That said, you had better make it worth while to travel several thousand miles to appear on a TV show for three minutes… which is why I deferred the task to the lovely Sara Lee Spector of Every Day Gourmet Coffee – because the CBC does not have a penny for guests who travel from places like Victoria B.C.
Anyway. Sara was somewhat apprehensive about this task because it would mean taking 4 to 6 hours out of her busy day – Along with her hard working staff, Sara is the production back-bone of Every Day Gourmet Coffee.
But that is OK. The CBC and the producers of the Steven and Chris show (like virtually every TV show I have ever dealt with…) promise the moon in exchange for some of our precious time. In Chris and Stevens case, their producer and videographer, Barbara, guaranteed a mention of Every Day Gourmet Coffee and the CoffeeCrew website for our trouble. Hey, I even blogged the event further back in my archive giving Chris and Steven a good dollop of free publicity.
Me being the perpetual cynic, I figured… “Sure, whatever…” TV shows on the CBC with their paper thin budgets will make any number of promises to get the volunteers they need – and we cannot fault them for that – especially when we expect this kind of cheesy treatment.
Anyway – it still burns me up a bit. I contacted the producer today and she said… “Well, this season we are not keying in credits during the show…”
Uhm. Hello. I watched the episode. You were keying in the name and credentials of the guests. What was so difficult about giving credit where it was due?
Oh wait. I know. At the end of the Steven and Chris show, they were giving away Tim Horton’s coffee to everyone on the show.
Tim Horton’s. After a wonderful lecture from Sara on what coffee is all about… We get an ad for Tim Horton’s.
Something smells here, and it isn’t good coffee.
Steven and Chris. You guys can do better than this.
Colin Newell lives and dreams in Victoria B.C. Canada on the West Coast of Canada. He believes in good food, good coffee and great friends. And this is the first in the Fall series of blogs on Food, Drink and Fun for the Fall.
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Summer fun food and drink - Snowbirds - why do we need them · Sunday September 21, 2008 by colin newell
For the record. I have never been a big fan of parades.
For 2 reasons.
Militarism and clowns.
Yes. I meant that to represent two things.
And although there is a proud career of military service in my family… when service actually meant something… and when the causes were real and just.
Unlike these days. When there are more questions than answers about our mission in Afghanistan.
So I have to ask.
What is the point of the Snow Birds aerobatic flying team?
I have been watching them out of the corner of my eye for over 2 decades. And it is always the same. They fly up. They fly down. Two jets approach each other at high speed and turn away at the last second… as if there was ever any danger of collision – because there isn’t.
The Snow Birds aerobatic team, in the 21st century, is nothing more than a wasteful pile of noise and smoke. Think carbon footprint. I am sure the Snow Birds aerobatic meant something to someone years ago. Now it is simply a pile of CO2 and unburnt jet fuel, ear jangling noise – a pet frightening cacophony that has no place in any civilized community.
And yet today in Victoria, the streets were filled with sweaty and eager punters lining the Dallas Road and Beacon Hill park to gawk at the archaic spectacle.
Whatever. Take your children and pets with you.
And when little Johhny or Julie asks you what it all means… I dare you to come up with an answer that makes any sense.
And if you can, explain it to me. Because I would love to know.
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Summer food fun and drink - feel the love at J & J Wonton Noodle House · Saturday September 20, 2008 by colin newell
Just prior to getting married in the mid-nineties, Andrea and I watched with great anticipation the opening of J & J Wonton Noodle House. For the life of me I cannot remember quite why. Maybe as marriage is a new beginning, so the opening of a new restaurant plays a symbolic role in that chapter.
So. J &J Wonton Noodle House opened in 1994 by Head Chef Joseph Wong, the restaurant is a family run business, bringing the authentic style of Chinese cooking from all over China. Joseph has over 20 years of experience and has won countless number of awards. He previously owned Szechuan Resturant in Victoria, he then decided to re-challenge himself and opened J and J Wonton Noodle House which has become more successful than his last culinary adventure.
For me, the joy of J & J, in part, is being greeting by the ever lovely and vivacious Lillian – Lillian, who has been at J & J since day one seemed to recognize us on our 2nd and subsequent visits.
About 56 visits later, we are still feeling that love.
Lately I have been popping in for semi-business lunches – today for example, I met up with baker-mentor-friend Mark Engels of Bubby Roses Bakery. We both ordered soup – and in Mark’s case, we got the soup that Lillian thought was best for him. Is that caring or what? No one cares what I order! Actually – Lillian does care and explained why the Sichuan Shrimp Noodle soup was more appropriate for me over the Spicy Ginger Beef Noodle soup that Mark got. Sorry. No explanation for you punters out there on internet land.
Anyway – Mark and I both agreed that we have a crush on Lillian and a love for the food at J & J Wonton Noodle House – a joint that is as much embedded in the fabric of foodie in Victoria… as the hanging baskets are part of the streets of the city.
Lunches at J & J are typically under $10 with Tea. The service is prompt, professional and filled with attentive love.
Summer food fun and drink - Tea fest comes to Victoria · Friday September 19, 2008 by colin newell
Tea. It is subtle and restful. Which is the polar opposite of what coffee is. If you want to chill, then pouring yourself a great big mug of Jump Up and Get Busy is probably not a good idea.
So it only makes sense that Victoria is hosting the Victoria Tea Festival
Because… after all, Victoria is one town that loves tea, tea houses, high tea, crumpets and tea, strawberry tea… but do not take my word for it…
So. Kick up your heels. Put on your granny glasses. And pour a cup.
You will be glad you did.
