Tastes Of Bainbridge

Becky Fox Marshall, Spokesperson for Town & Country (T&C) Markets and Joe Pulicicchio, Director of Produce and Floral join us today on Tastes of Bainbridge to discuss how T&C on Bainbridge Island is dealing with COVID-19. They remind us that food and other supplies remain in good supply and that while some items may not be available from time to time, most things will remain fully stocked and always available.  There is good discussion around the idea of continuing to shop as one normally does and no need to purchase in large quantities. They discuss several of the measures the company has taken with cleaning and on-going sanitizing, care of their employees and different hours of operation.  Joe also talks about some of the fresh produce currently available and some of the things we can expect soon during this normal period of transition into the spring.  Credits: BCB Host: Robert Ross; Audio Editor: Keith Doughty; Publisher: Keith Doughty.

Joe Pulicicchio, head of Produce and Floral, and Michael Fodness, head of Meat and Seafood for T&C Markets, join Bob Ross in this episode of Tastes of Bainbridge to talk more about the many foods associated with the Christmas and New Year’s season.  Squash varieties, a wide selection of citrus, and seasonal berries are discussed with Joe on the produce side while Michael reminds us of the bountiful fish opportunities in addition to many unique cuts of lamb, pork and beef available through the end of the year. As both experts and respected leaders in their fields, Joe and Michael bring a deep background of experience and perspective to the table and provide an informed and rich dialogue about this important aspect of the season. Credits: BCB Host: Robert Ross; Audio Editor: Chris Walker; Publisher: Chris Walker

Two directors of the Town and Country Markets leadership, Joe Pulicicchio, head of Produce and Floral and Michael Fodness, head of Meat and Seafood, join us in this episode of Tastes of Bainbridge to consider the kinds of things we might find on our holiday tables.  Joe and Michael engage in a lively discussion about personal favorites and some important things to consider as we construct seasonal shopping lists. In addition to more traditional and classic holiday fare explorations, the concept of Friendsgiving is discussed and how this is finding its way into the popular vernacular.  Of course, a discussion of best ways to make mashed potatoes ensues with some side comments regarding polenta found on Joe’s grandmother’s table. The importance of fish, especially in the Christmas menu is also discussed and the availability of Dungeness Crab and prawns with a slight hint of lobster taste are explored.  Credits: BCB Host: Robert Ross; Audio Editor: Keith Doughty; Publisher: Keith Doughty

Joe joins Tastes of Bainbridge host, Bob Ross to talk about important fall produce that we should all be thinking about. He discusses very early sumo mandarins, the extraordinary 2019 chanterelle mushroom crop and a new up and coming apple called the ‘Sugar Bee.’   He discusses the appealing tastes of the currently available Bartlett pears, the soon to arrive comice variety that is known for its excellent pairing with cheeses and just what a ‘conditioned pear’ is.   Credits: BCB Host: Robert Ross; Audio Editor: Robert Ross; Publisher: Robert Ross

Joe Pulicicchio, Director of Produce and Floral for T&C Markets returns to Tastes of Bainbridge with host Bob Ross to explore what’s happening in fresh produce as we head into late summer in the Pacific Northwest.   He has a sweet spot for peaches but shares some wonderful insights about strawberries, blueberries, cantaloupe and the best way to cook corn on the cob.  He also suggests some special ways to deal with mushrooms and how to reserve them for best applications during the colder months.  This is Joe at his best!  Credits: BCB Host: Bob Ross; editor and publisher: Chris Walker

Matt Glenn, one of the proprietors of Highside Distilling, joins BCB host Bob Ross on Tastes of Bainbridge to discuss his family’s decision to move full time into the craft beverage industry.   Inspired by a trip to the Highlands region of Scotland, the idea for starting this new business with his parents Helen and Jeff was born.  Subsequent trips to Scotland clarified their vision, and a firm commitment was made to open their establishment on Bainbridge Island. A new addition to the Bainbridge Island Farmers Market, Matt discusses their unique approach to making gin, the various aromatics used, their venture into Amaro’s, and plans to eventually make quality whiskies. For further information, surf to https://www.highsidedistilling.com/  or visit 8895 Three Tree Lane NE during their business hours.  See the website for hours. The Bainbridge Island Farmers market is located between City Hall and Bainbridge Performing Arts on Saturdays 9am to 1pm. Credits: BCB host: Bob Ross; audio tech: Chris Walker; audio edi

Fans of the Finnriver Cider Garden in Chimacum will be thrilled to hear their fabulous ciders are now available at the Bainbridge Island Farmers Market. Listen here to learn more about their organic farming and fermenting activities. In this podcast Molly Fallon, one of the Cider Garden managers, talks about their array of seasonal ciders and fruit wines and the several experiences one can have at the Cidery, from tasting to tours to exceptional culinary delights. Molly also discusses the beautiful art work by local artists for their labels.  Stop by the Farmers Market to sample their ciders every Saturday, or you can visit their farm and cidery. Located in Chimacum, Washington, the farm is open 12 - 9 pm daily.  Check out their website at www.finnriver.com. Credits: BCB host: Bob Ross; audio editor: Chris Walker; publisher; Diane Walker.

If you're a big fan of mushrooms, you need to visit the new Patchwork Gardens booth at the Bainbridge Farmers Market.  Listen here to learn more about Russell Lawson and the many varieties of mushroom he sells at the market. Whether you're in the mood for a giant oyster, king or shaggy mane mushroom, the Bainbridge Farmers Market is the place to be on Saturdays from 9 am - 1.  Listen here as Russell Lawson, proprietor of Patchwork Gardens, tells us what it takes to bring these and other fresh delights to the Market each weekend.   A new vendor at the Market, Russell discusses his move into growing mushrooms, what motivated this change in farming for him, and how science and technology have played key roles in his success. Credits: BCB host: Bob Ross; audio editor: Chris Walker; publisher; Diane Walker.

Challenged by the winter snows? So are our grocery stores! Listen here as Town and Country's Joe Pulicicchio describes the best of winter produce, stocking challenges during snow events, and T&C's recent decision to MOVE THE PEPPERS! This month's big news is that T&C's peppers and chilies have moved to a new and very colorful display on the back side of the mushroom shelves, opposite the bulk nuts display. Joe explains the rationale behind the move and elaborates on some of the many attributes of these tasty delights and various ways to prepare them.   He also describes what looks and tastes good in February, what we can expect moving into March, and what challenges markets face as they struggle to keep fresh and healthy produce on the shelves during difficult weather events. Credits: BCB host: Bob Ross; audio editor: Chris Walker; publisher: Diane Walker; Social media: Jen St. Louis.

Listen here as T&C's Joe Pulicicchio joins Bob Ross and Michael Fodness, Director of Meats and Seafood for Town and Country Markets to talk about seasonal meats, seafood and produce items. In this rich interaction about popular cuts of meat, seasonal seafood, and traditional holiday items from the produce department, the three exchange favorite recipes and methods of preparation.  It’s a jolly conversation. Credits: BCB host: Bob Ross; audio editor: Chris Walker; publisher: Diane Walker; Social media: Jen St. Louis.

Purple brussel sprouts, peeling parsnips, and perfect potatoes: T&C's Joe Pulicicchio is back to tell us about the best produce for your holiday meal. Our old Tastes of Bainbridge friend, Joe Pulicicchio, Director of Produce and Floral for T&C Markets, returns to the BCB studio this week to talk about the fresh produce scene as we enter the holiday season.  From how to cook Brussels sprouts and the need to peel parsnips to the best way to prepare potatoes and what type of potato to use for various dishes, Joe helps ensure your Thanksgiving Dinner will be superb. There’s also a fun venture into the use of color and how it is used in the produce department. And, of course, citrus season is upon us and his perspective and advice is delightful. If you care about food, be sure to listen to this one! Credits: BCB host: Bob Ross; audio editor: Chris Walker; publisher: Diane Walker; Social media: Jen St. Louis.

Meet one of the newest additions to the Bainbridge Farmers Market: Frank Ralph, the Owner of Fishgirl, a company solely dedicated to the harvesting of wild and sustainable seafood. In conversation with BCB host Bob Ross, Frank discusses his 30 years of experience and what he has discovered is the best tasting seafood available.  Frank and his wife and co-owner, Claudia, are are firmly committed to the concept of individually caught fish, immediately blast frozen with a “fresh caught” lock date in place.  Meet Frank at the Market Saturdays 9 am to 1 pm. and be sure to review his impressive array of frozen and tinned seafood, sauces and spice blends. For more about Fishgirl, visit their website at: www.fishgirlseafood.com Credits: BCB host: Bob Ross; audio editor: Chris Walker; publisher: Diane Walker;Social media: Jen St. Louis.

It's time for the annual 4H Chicken Pageant at the Farmers Market, and Tastes of Bainbridge producer Bob Ross is on hand for the festivities. The 4H Chicken Pageant is a delightful event in which 4H members and their respective fowl dress up in costumes and parade for the audience.   Host Bob Ross talks with 4H leader Jennifer Amaden and her son Kaden about the 4H organization and how 4H involvement helps teach children responsibility while building character and compassion. Credits: BCB host: Bob Ross; audio tech and editor: Chris Walker; publisher, Diane Walker.

Meet Carolyn Goodwin, food buyer for the Market at Bay Hay, and learn about the challenges and excitement of keeping a small market stocked with exclusively local food products. In this podcast, Carolyn joins host Bob Ross to tell us about the Market's evolving identity. From a tiny non-profit selling local produce at the ferry unloading area a few years ago, the market moved to a small refrigerator in the corner at Bay Hay and has now become a small but thoughtfully well-stocked market providing a remarkable variety of locally-grown foods and other products. With strong support and encouragement from owners CeAnn Parker and Howard Block, the Market at Bay Hay is thriving with excitement and new items almost daily. Credits: BCB host and audio tech, Bob Ross; editor and publisher, Diane Walker.

Joe Pulicicchio, Director of Produce & Floral for T&C Markets returns to Tastes of Bainbridge to share his insights on the best produce for summer. Talking about everything from berries to avocados to red potatoes, Joe provides a keen insight about some of the challenges of making sure produce arrives at the optimum peak of color, taste and freshness.   Listen here to learn the best way to eat sweet corn and learn of the best summer treats about to arrive. Credits: BCB host, Bob Ross; audio tech and editor: Chris Walker; publisher, Diane Walker; social media: Jen St. Louis.

In this podcast Taste of Bainbridge host Bob Ross talks with Christoph Schuler, the creator and owner of D’Bäck German Bakery, about his tasty organically baked pretzels. You'll want to listen closely as Christoph reveals the secret southern German technique that produces the warm brown crust and the soft bread-like interior of his beautifully formed pretzel twists, sticks, rolls and sandwiches.   Learn more about Christoph’s unique and tasty creations at www.swabianpretzels.com and find D’Bäck German Bakery at the Bainbridge Island Farmers Market each Saturday 9:00 am until 1:00 pm. Credits: BCB host, Bob Ross; audio tech and editor: Chris Walker; publisher, Diane Walker; social media: Jen St. Louis.

Isaac Swanson is an artisan whose  hand blown glass is regularly featured at the Bainbridge Farmers’ Market. In this podcast, Isaac joins host Bob Ross to share the story of his work and talk about what motivated him to enter the unusual craft of creative glass blowing.  It's a curious story of moving from barista to glass and about his entry into the field on the night shift in Seattle.  For Isaac, glass blowing is a metaphor for life. Would you agree? Listen here and decide for yourself -- and be sure to stop by the Farmer's Market to appreciate his work! Credits: BCB host, Bob Ross; audio tech: Finn Mander; audio editor: Bob Ross; social media publisher, Diane Walker.

Listen here as Tad Mitsui, life long island foodie and chef on Bainbridge Island and his new partner, Jess Goldwater, tell us about their taste-tempting plans for their new Heyday Farm Store venture.  Talking with Tastes of Bainbridge producer Bob Ross, these new owners of the well loved local food purveyor in Lynwood share their enthusiasm for food and produce, and we learn how their chance meeting and their common passion for food brought them together to embark upon this exciting new endeavor. Credits: BCB host, Bob Ross; audio tech: Chris Walker; audio editors Bob Ross and Diane Walker; social media publisher, Diane Walker.

This week Tastes of Bainbridge host Bob Ross discusses the season's produce with Joe Pulicicchio in Joe's native habitat: the Town and Country produce section in Winslow.  Walking through the aisles, Joe introduces us  to fruits like the cute Rockit apples (a perfect size for Christmas stockings!), the specially cared for Comise pears, some of the interesting berries that have lasted late into December, and of course the various kinds of oranges so popular this time of year.  Seasonal favorites like chard, kale,  leeks, fennel, and endives capture our attention, and there are also fresh chives and figs to be seen.  Joe gives us a tip on how to save money when buying mushrooms, and explains how dried mushrooms can be used even when the recipe calls for fresh.  (We believe Joe pronounced all the japanese mushrooms correctly, but what do we know?) Credits: BCB host, Bob Ross; audio tech and editor: Chris Walker; social media publisher, Diane Walker.

From Brussels Sprouts, garlic and green beans to squash, mushrooms and citrus, this is the time of year when we really count on particular varieties of fruits and vegetables to make our holiday meals a feast. With this podcast, BCB's Bob Ross is back from Italy to talk with T&C's Joe Pulicicchio, director of produce and floral, about what's in store for everyone's favorite November meal. The two discuss the produce that typically finds its way to the Thanksgiving table with some interesting observations and suggestions, and Joe shares his philosophy about the uniqueness of this very American holiday. Best of all, you'll get the inside scoop on some unusual squash, some different approaches to mushrooms, the best way to prepare a quintessential batch of holiday mashed potatoes, and a new fig that's guaranteed to knock your socks off! Credits: BCB host, Bob Ross; audio tech and editor: Chris Walker; social media publisher, Diane Walker.