Tastes Of Bainbridge

From BCB... http://bestofbcb.org/tast-028-heyday-farm-chickens/ In this, our first in-the-field interview for Tastes of Bainbridge, we talk with Brian MacWhorter about the egg and poultry operation at Heyday Farm. Join BCB host Bob Ross as we walk around the farm, meeting the animals and talking with Brian, a well known Bainbridge Island farmer and owner of Butler Green Farms. You'll also meet Catherine Nguyen, a summer intern at Heyday Farm, and learn more about being a farmer and the internship program.  Brian's deep commitment to educating young people about agriculture, food and sustainability comes through strongly in the interview: listen and learn! Credits: BCB host: Bob Ross; BCB audio editor: Chris Walker; social media publisher: Diane Walker.

From BCB... http://bestofbcb.org/tast-027-bainbridge-island-fruit-club/ This week Darren Murphy, president of the recently formed Bainbridge Island Fruit Club, comes to the BCB broadcast table at the Farmers’ Market.  Listen as Darren tells BCB host Bob Ross about the newly formed club, its goals and expectations, and the many club activities happening now and planned for the future.  Darren discusses many of the more typical fruits grown on Bainbridge and some of the challenges of managing them from planting through harvest.  An obvious expert in fruit cultivation and management, he talks about apples, pears, plums, grapes, and many more fruit varieties.  He also has strong thoughts regarding using fruit for food complete with some creative recipe suggestions. The Bainbridge Island Fruit Club (BIFC) meets once a month throughout the year.  Visit www.bifruitclub.wordpress.com   to learn about upcoming meetings and applications for membership. Credits: BCB host: Bob Ross; BCB audio editor: Chris Walker; social

From BCB... http://bestofbcb.org/tast-026-joe-pulicicchio-chili-roast/ T&C's Joe Pulicicchio returns to the Taste of Bainbridge series as we further explore how a major local grocery business can constantly make top quality fresh produce available on a regular basis through the changing seasons of the year. As the Director of Produce and Floral for Town & Country Markets, Inc., Joe provides new insights about the challenges that need to be addressed as various fruits and vegetables reach peak flavor and ripeness and make it to the shelves at just the right time.  In this interview he discusses the end of berry season and the excellent melons of all types and flavors that are just becoming available.  A highlight of the discussion is the fast approaching chili roasting season and Joe explains what dates in August the roasting will take place and at what stores.  Roasting chilies in late summer is time-honored tradition with wonderful aromatic benefits and making the chilies more accessible for exceptio

From BCB... http://bestofbcb.org/tast-025-heyday-farm-creamery/ Heyday Farm Creamery proprietors Vicky and John McGarrity visited the BCB Tastes of Bainbridge booth at the July 30 Farmers’ Market. Listen here as the McGarritys explain why they have moved their entire operation to Bainbridge Island from Hansville to join the Heyday Team. Now producing their signature goats milk cheeses on Bainbridge, they'll soon be offering cows' milk cheeses, and by next spring they plan to bring out sheep milk cheeses.  Vicky and John are committed to achieving the highest level of quality in the food they produce.  Here they discuss some of the processes that are required to produce their cheese varieties, including the unique pasturing system that allows them to grass feed their animals and use a barley fodder process when fresh grass is hard to find. And did you know you could hear taste?  We decided to try: there was an on-air tasting that explored the various and subtle differences in the cheeses. Listen and see if yo

From BCB... http://bestofbcb.org/tast-024-jon-garfunkel-on-educulture/ Last week at the Farmers Market BCB host Bob Ross joined EduCulture founder Jon Garfunkel. EduCulture focuses on building bridges between K-12 schools and their community, with an emphasis on edible education, heritage and human rights education and a strong core of hands-on student-centered programs.  In this podcast Jon explains the importance of getting students out on the farms and into the fields to learn everything from how to sow seeds to various growing techniques and best harvesting methods.  A fervent and dedicated educator, he strongly believes in the need to reach out to young people and teach them about how food is grown and where it comes from.  Later in the program we hear from another dedicated educator of young folks, Farmer Brian McWhorter of Butler Green Farms and Heyday Farm. To learn more about EduCulture, be sure to check out their website at http://educultureproject.org/ . Credits: BCB host Bob Ross; audio editor Chr

From BCB... http://bestofbcb.org/tast-023-joe-pulicicchio-on-melons/ This discussion, the fourth in our series with Director of Produce and Floral for Town and Country Markets, Joe Pulicicchio, is all about berries, peaches, avocados and melons.  Now that the berry season is wrapping up, Joe talks about some of the challenges of accessing the best avocados, including the importance of waiting for the right oil content and why the current supplies are a little pricey. For all you melon fans, Joe is happy to report that melon season is just around the corner.  He reports that melon lovers can expect a wide variety to be available this summer. In conclusion, he wraps up the interview with some thoughts about the upcoming Hatch green chilies season which will begin towards the end of July.  The roasting process, which which will be held at Central market sometime around the end of the month, creates one of the best summer smells. The roasted chilies will be available for purchase in various quantities. Joe’s pop

From BCB... http://bestofbcb.org/tast-022-joe-pulicicchio-on-fruit/ This week T&C Produce and Floral Director Joe Pulicicchio  talks about this year's berry, peach, and apricot crops and shares a few favorite recipes. In this, our third interview of a 6 part series, Joe, the knowledgeable and dynamic Director of Produce and Floral for Town and Country Markets, talks with with BCB host Bob Ross about the intricacies and challenges of growing and delivering top quality strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries. Joe also touches on the upcoming apricot and peach season and explains the important role weather plays in the whole growth and delivery process -- and don't miss what he has to say about favorite recipes! This series of BCB interviews is designed to explore the many types of fresh produce one finds at T&C Markets, including behind the scenes stories about how and where they are grown and how arrivals must be scheduled to meet customer expectations. For more about the challenges of

From BCB... http://bestofbcb.org/tast-021-chef-judith-weinstock/ On the scene at Bainbridge Island's May 28 Farmers Market, BCB Host Bob Ross talks with chef and author Judith Weinstock  about her history with the Streamliner Diner, her cookbooks, and her tasty baked goods. In this podcast, self-described Food Muse Judith Weinstock discusses her philosophy about food and why she made a commitment early to make this her life’s work.  Listen here as Jude describes her early involvement with the very popular Streamliner Diner, her eventual move to developing the Kingston Hotel Cafe and the two cookbooks that came from those ventures. She is currently working on a book about kids and food and cooking and is committed to the concept of teaching children about food and where it comes from early in their development.  Judith is well known for the occasional but sumptuous Sunday morning brunches she serves at her residence on the back patio (also known as The Underground Cafe).  For more about those Sunday morning ad

In this 30-minute podcast conversation with Steve Romein and Ty Cramer, we meet the husband and wife who are the founders and innovators at a uniquely Bainbridge Island farm, store and destination for lodging and farm-kitchen meals, Heyday Farm. This podcast is a combination of personal stories and anecdotes by Ty and Steve, and a set of insights into the latest new offerings of an innovative island farm and business. Steve talks about growing up in a traditional farm community in the mid-west. Ty describes how they found the properties that became their farmlands. They explain that their goals include benefiting the local community, preserving its history, and showing how delicious the food can be when raised with healthy and holistic farming practices with hands-on care. We learn about the organic and intensive agricultural methods that have been a Heyday signature from the start. And we go behind the scenes with Steve into the secrets of managing the animal kingdom's own best source of compost and fertiliz

From BCB... http://bestofbcb.org/tast-019-david-adlers-fstopcafe/ In this chapter of Tastes of Bainbridge in our Farmers Market series we meet David Adler, the official Bainbridge Farmers Market Coffee provider.  With three years of being the key provider of a variety of coffee drinks to Market visitors each Saturday, Dave explains what led him into a serious connection to coffee and why he feels it’s important to pursue making the very best coffee beverages he can make. The owner of FSTOPCAFE, Artisan Coffee Roasters on Bainbridge Island, Dave explains the process of how and where coffee is grown and the many aspects of roasting and grinding coffee beans to achieve the very best quality he can.  A native of Brooklyn, New York, he made his way west to San Francisco as a longshoreman and eventually migrated to the coffee capitol in Seattle, and served as a professor at the University of Washington before taking on coffee in a serious way. David doesn't just sell coffee at the market; he sells his beans as well

From BCB... http://bestofbcb.org/tast-018-composting-with-john-barutt/ In this episode of Tastes of Bainbridge John Barutt, locally known as the ‘Maestro of Composting’, explains the processes involved in starting a simple compost pile and how to keep it active and useful in your own garden. John is part of the Ann Lovejoy’s Friday Tidy Volunteer group that meets each week at the Library gardens to keep them looking vibrant and well maintained. Speaking with BCB host Bob Ross, John explains how he was first recruited into a composting leadership role and had to learn the craft on his own by seeking advice from others, reading and experimenting. These days John can be found most Fridays in the small composting yard located in the southeast corner of the library property; he's happy to answer questions and just talk about composting. Credits: BCB host: Bob Ross; audio tech and editor: Chris Walker; publisher: Diane Walker.

From BCB... http://bestofbcb.org/tast-017-tcs-joe-pulicicchio-on-berries-and-corn/ In this second of a six-part series with Joe Pulicicchio, Director of Produce and Floral for Town and Country Markets, Joe kicks off the discussion with a detailed accounting of various berries.  Listen here as Joe fills us in on where T&C berries come from and some of the seasonal changes that dictate when and how they are picked, packed and shipped. He addresses some of the challenges of growing good quality strawberries and when to expect more at T&C Markets. We'll also hear the surprising story of the ‘white’ corn on the cob already available at T&C, and what we can expect with corn through the seasons. Joe’s delightful sense of humor and deep understanding of how and where quality produce is grown and delivered to the T&C Market comes through as he explains the large variety of fruits and vegetables that will be coming available in the next few weeks. Look for the next podcast featuring Joe Pulicicchio

Tom Kelly, Market Manager and Jake Angel of Jake’s Pickup join host Bob Ross in this, the first of the 2016 Tastes of Bainbridge Farmers’Market Series. On Saturday, April 9, BCB host Bob Ross talks with Bainbridge Island Farmers Market Manager Tom Kelly.  Tom shares his plans for the future and introduces us to some of the new vendors and farmers for our 2016 season. Tom, who is starting his first full season as the Farmers’ Market Manager, talks about his hopes, vision and exciting plans for 2016 Market. Jake Angel of the popular Jake’s Pickup (inside the Chevron station at the corner of High School Road and 305) is one of the newest vendors at the market. Jake talks about his background, his family’s influence in his deep involvement in food, and what motivates him on a daily basis.  His commitment to offering delicious organic comfort food and using locally sourced and grown ingredients has been the cornerstone of his successful venture on Bainbridge Island. Credits: BCB host: Bob Ross; audio tech and edit

From BCB... http://bestofbcb.org/tast-015-meet-joe-pulicicchio/ In this episode,the first of a six-part series, we meet Joe Pulicicchio, Director of Produce and Floral for Town and Country Markets. Joe has worked for Town and Country Markets for several years, finding his way into this vital leadership position for the organization by constantly studying the complex and delicate balance of seasonal changes, customer expectations and growing cycles. Joe and BCB host Bob Ross explore and discuss not only the key factors required to make sure the best produce is on hand every day but also some of planning and design that goes into the growing and maintenance of those products in order to ensure they come to market at the peak of their color and flavor. What's the secret to offering the freshest and highest quality produce?  For Joe Pulicicchio, it's all about relationships: making sure those are well cultivated and cared for. And, best of all, he ends the interview with an amazing and beautiful story about his

From BCB... http://bestofbcb.org/tast-014-chef-kerrie-sanson/ Listen here as Bainbridge chef Kerrie Sanson explains her passion about preserving food! Growing up on a chicken ranch in Southern California, professionally trained chemist Kerrie Sanson has always had a connection with food.  Eventually she found her way into catering, getting experience with creative food preparation, and when she moved to Bainbridge Island 24 years ago she helped establish local kitchens and food service programs.  Initially she worked at Islandwood, then later moved to Restaurant Marche, where she greatly expanded her food horizons.  More recently she has served as the creative food chef and kitchen director at Heyday Farms. In this podcast BCB host Bob Ross talks with Chef Kerrie about her new venture, PRESERVE, and some of the processes she uses to create unique and exciting new combinations of small batch preserved foods.  She specializes in jams and marmalades she creates using locally grown onions, cherries and cranberrie

From BCB... http://bestofbcb.org/tast-013-kevin-haggerty-of-fof/ What IS Friends of the Farms, and how does it serve the community of Bainbridge Island?  In this podcast BCB host Bob Ross talks with the organization's interim director, Kevin Haggerty, about his life experiences and his vision for the organization he serves. Kevin graduated just a few years ago from Lewis & Clark College with a dual degree in Philosophy and German. Following graduation he headed south and worked for AmeriCorps, teaching young people the value of urban agriculture and how to make it work.  After his time in AmeriCorps Kevin moved to Ireland, sponsored by the WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) program to work on a small farm.  It was that experience that led him to Bainbridge Island to work for Friends of the Farms. In this podcast Kevin describes his experiences and discusses the mission of Friends of the Farms. Due to rapid “suburbanization,” small-scale farming has become endangered on Bainbridge Island. Fr

From BCB... http://bestofbcb.org/tast-012-farmers-market-dec-19/ This week at the Farmers Market BCB host Robert Ross talks with Kevin Block, owner of Bainbridge Island's Sol Farm LLC.  Formed in the spring of 2011, Sol Farm is comprised of two actual farms, and provides a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) membership on Bainbridge Island. CSA members are invited to visit the farm every Tuesday and Thursday during the season to collect healthy and nutritious produce, which is also made available to Farmers’ Market visitors. Kevin and the other workers at Sol Farm work hard to bring the best choices to you on a weekly basis during the changing seasons. Sol Farm offers a wide selection of produce including pork, lamb, and eggs as well as vegetables. Sol Farm cares about your health, as well as the health of our environment, the soil, and the food that it produces. With this in mind Sol Farm food is grown using only organic fertilizers and without the use of harmful pesticides, herbicides, and other toxins.

On a sunny crisp November Saturday morning, BCB's Bob Ross talks with a local food maker and seller and the new market manager at the Bainbridge Island Farmers Market. The Fall weather was perfect for two conversations at the market, which is in the center of Winslow, outdoors, between City Hall and Bainbridge Performing Arts (BPA). Bob introduces us to Dashka Blyzniukova of Iggy's. Iggy's informative website describes their locally-made food and drink products. Dashiki has charming stories about the tastiness and health benefits of Iggy's refreshing kombucha drinks and various types of krauts and kim chee. Fermented foods contain live nutrients and their health benefits have been praised by the likes of Bainbridge wellness practitioner and naturopath Holly Christy, in an article in the Kitsap Sun. Iggy's makes its food from fresh ingredients at their commercial kitchen at 7865 Day Road #103, and they welcome visitors. To confirm their hours, call 206-414-9994. Bob's second guest at the Farmers Market is the

From BCB... http://bestofbcb.org/tast-010-farmers-market-october-24/ This week at the Farmers Market, BCB Host Bob Ross talks with Bainbridge Islander Paul Svornich, who operates the smallest boat in the commercial Pacific Ocean albacore fleet. A Bainbridge Island resident when he's not on the open seas, Svornich comes from a long line of Croatian fishermen and built his boat himself. Commercial fishing is in Svornich's blood. Both his grandfathers arrived in Puget Sound from Croatia sometime between 1907 and 1910 to do salmon seining here and in Alaska.  Svornich's father also was a salmon seiner, but Paul is the only one of four kids who really loved fishing and stuck with it. He's been aboard ships since early childhood and worked his first full summer as a deckhand when he was 13. Patterned after a traditional Croatian sailboat, Svornich's 38-foot wooden sloop, OCEAN, is powered by a pair of gaff-rigged sails and a one-cylinder engine fueled with soybean oil bio-diesel. Designed and built by Svornich in a

Listen here as BCB host Bob Ross heads down to this week's Bainbridge Island Farmer's Market to talk with Gayle Bair about her beautiful and delightfully practical pottery. Inspired by her background in two dimensional art, Gayle took up pottery  in 1996 and did not look back. Her amazing teapots, French butter dishes, bowls and pitchers are collector pieces each and all. But at the same time they are durable, lead free, and dishwasher safe! Gayle applies an oxide-rich slip to her pieces prior to firing. Allowing it to dry slightly, she applies designs inspired largely by environments she has known or visited using a labor intensive process called Sgraffito.  After being fired in an electric kiln to over 2200F, the resulting pieces emerge to enchant discriminating buyers across the Northwest. So come on down to this week's Farmer's Market: there's still time to take a look at Gayle Bair's fabulous and highly functional pottery. Credits: BCB host: Bob Ross; audio editor: Chris Walker; publisher Diane Walker.