I can’t believe how fast 2011 is flying by already, outside my blogging efforts I’m about to start a new job and I’m starting to feel the success of my first food blogging year.  Referrals continue to come in and I’m inspired by the food scene in Vancouver everyday, I wish I could write stories as often as I am inspired… One day maybe!

For now, I wanted to share a few foodie highlights from 2011.  My first adventure this year was learning about urban composting from the folks at CityFarmer.org.  They have such an amazing organization in the core of Vancouver in the West 4th area.  Their passionate gardeners truly care about nature – and even though I visited in the midst of winter, the garden was still a fascinating place to visit.

Sharron, head gardener, and Michael Levenston, Executive Director, shared their stories with me and Sharron toured me around the garden. It is the coolest and greenest place I’ve seen in months, despite lack of green in January. I’ll be back in the spring for sure. Full story to follow soon.

A gateway to greener living in Vancouver, CityFarmer.org

After my gardening experience, I headed to the Second Annual Cupcake Throwdown H.A.V.E Cafe fundraiser, at Cafe Deux Soleils on Commercial Drive in Vancouver. HAVE Cafe is a culinary training school in downtown Vancouver’s eastside, and is as inspirational as Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Foundation.

So when I received an invitation with the words “Cupcake Throw-down”, it was not an RSVP to decline – a guaranteed sweet event. It was certainly sweet success raising over $2600 for HAVE Cafe.  Full photo story to follow next!

HAVE Cafe cupcake throw down fundraiser was a hit!

A couple cupcake contenders and voters...

The food train continued a couple weekends later when my own brother hosted a sushi potluck dinner party.  A great idea for you folks looking for some fund ways to host dinner with friends!  Host makes the sushi rice and nori paper; and provides the basics including soy sauce, wasabi, rolling mats, chopsticks and maybe some Japanese green tea! Then your guests each bring an ingredient prepared to roll inside your sushi!  EASY PEASY AWESOME!

Potluck ingredients may include bell peppers, yams, prawns, salmon, lettuce, cucumber, cooked egg, avocado, shrimp, carrot, and whatever your heart desires.

Guests take turn making their sushi roll of choice, so yummy and fun!

Homemade sushi can be so colourful!

Make your own veggie rolls too!

Classic cucumber!

Have you ever hosted a sushi potluck? Or another culinary-themed potluck dinner? Tell me about it!