Savour Cowichan

COWICHAN VALLEY, BC: Foodies of the Valley, exult! The Savour Cowichan Festival is back again this year, bigger and tastier than ever before. If you're one of the few unfamiliar with it, Savour Cowichan Festival, is a local foodie love-in that celebrates the Valley's vast cornucopia of locally grown and produced food and drink. Now in its second year, the ten day affair gives you carte blanche access to 40 artisanal food and beverage producers, not just at the dozens of participating wineries, but at brew pubs, orchards and farms too. Every day guests will be able to visit local operations and talk to experts who are passionate about what they do, like master winemakers, brewmasters and sommeliers. About half of the events take place in many of the area's fine restaurants, where guests can indulge in tasting events, cooking classes, winemakers' dinners and demonstrations by top chefs. Festival coordinator Janet Docherty is particularly excited about this year's lineup, but doesn't want to let too much out of the bag! We have a record number of participants this year and some big surprises in store too - like a gin launch and balsamic vinegar release, a new brewery participant and two new wineries. This year's Savour Cowichan Festival takes place from September 25th to October 4th and kicks off with "Barge on In", a party held on a barge moored at Mill Bay Marina. The "Sip Savour, Support" event that takes place on October 3rd (also on the barge in Mill Bay) is a gala charity fundraiser affair complete with professional athletes, a ten-piece band, prizes and a star chef. Oh, and there'll be some good food and drink too. Last year's Savour Cowichan was a smash success and tickets for this years events are expected to sell quickly. As Janet wisely suggests, "to avoid disappointment, make sure you order yours early." Tickets are available at www.savourcowichan.com