Taste Summer 2024
Who’s ready for summer? The wait is over.
In addition to warmer weather, the sunny season expands options for foodies. The great outdoors beckon, calling for everyone to spend more time on restaurant patios, at barbecues and in their most cherished picnic spots. Stepping away from the kitchen to experience what businesses and vendors in the qathet region have to offer becomes more enticing, and well it should.
Summer is the perfect time to explore the latest creations local chefs and favourite snacking spots have in store for residents and visitors. Whether you’re looking for a meal, a beverage or a tasty treat inside or outside one of the many fine establishments in qathet, or seeking a quiet getaway spot to indulge in takeout/takeaway munchies, the following pages offer insight into where to go, and what you’ll find upon arrival. But if you really don’t want to leave the comfort of your home, or that favourite spot under the apple tree in your backyard, your next meal is only a phone call or online order away. Why
turn the oven on?
Treat yourself, treat your family and support the hospitality industry. It’s a win-win-win scenario. Help the local economy, take a break from your own kitchen and satisfy your current craving.
Whether you choose to serve or be served, options abound for everyone, from local restaurants and eateries to local shopping options for preparing a special or last-minute meal for family or friends.
How about a picnic? Trails, lakes and parks from Lund to Saltery Bay and on Texada Island provide endless backdrops and locations; all you need are the supplies, whether pre-prepared at home, picked up on the way or made on site (remember to pack out what you pack in), and the desire to step out of the kitchen (consider your arm twisted).
If you’re not hungry now, you will be after reading these pages. And if you are already hungry, take action, whether it’s by picking up the phone or jumping into your vehicle and venturing out for your next meal. Indulge, enjoy, taste.
PUBLISHER
Kelly Keil
EDITOR
Shane Carlson
CREATIVE
DIRECTOR
Satiation awaits Taste
Alicia Newman
SALES: Sandy Adams
CONTRIBUTORS: Tanya Hill
COVER PHOTO
Teen burger, A&W
Photo by: Haedyn Keil
Owner and operator of Tla’amin Corner Gas and Convenience Del Blaney bought the business from his nephew Erik
last
Tla’amin Corner Gas and Convenience provides foodie destination
Fresh bannock, handmade sandwiches and soups made from family recipes can be found north of town
TANYA HILL
The busy and bustling Tla’amin Corner Gas and Convenience is more than just a corner store, it’s a meeting place for those who are passing through or for those who want to stay a little longer.
Owner and operator Del Blaney bought the business last year with the intention of keeping it Indigenous owned. Del and
Blaney
year. TANYA HILL PHOTOS
his crew have expanded the store’s food options, made entirely with fresh ingredients, and will soon open an outdoor patio space.
On the menu is fresh bannock, made almost daily, made-toorder submarine-sandwiches, wraps and breakfast eggers, plus baked goods. Del said they want to offer folks what he calls “new traditional” recipes such as his chichia’s (mom’s) hamburger soup and fusion recipes such as a bannock chili dog. He added that they will soon be offering a salmon barbecue in celebration of their new outdoor dining area. “We want this place to be more of a destination for folks from town, to come out and have a tasty bite to eat,” said Del. “People come here not just for food and gas but for friendship, a laugh and a chat.”
Tla’amin Corner Gas and Convenience also supports Indigenous artisans from all over BC, including Vancouver Island and Squamish. Throughout the indoor seating area one can peruse handmade jewellery, paintings, wood sculptures and carvings, and clothing, all Indigenous made. The more-than-a-corner-store also employs many hardworking people from the Tla’amin community and beyond, like Leslie Adams-Wilson and Jackie McClinchey, and recently a student, Anika Mowat. To find out more about Tla’amin Corner Gas and Convenience, go to sunshinecoastcanada.com/listing/ tlaamin-convenience-store/193
Owner and operator of Tla’amin Corner Gas and Convenience Del Blaney [left] with staff member Jackie McClinchey, wants to transform the corner store into a destination location for locals and tourists. TANYA HILL PHOTOS
Korean fusion highlighted at Seoul Sushi
Kimbap, tempura, homemade kimchi and sushi available for pickup
TANYA HILL thill@prpeak.com
Not too expensive, easily accessible, delicious and healthy, that’s what owners of Seoul Sushi, Jin and Brian Jeon, want customers to experience when they walk into their Korean fusion, sushi takeout location at 4775 Joyce Avenue.
Seoul Sushi was an Upper Coast People’s Choice 2023 winner in the Lunch On the Run category and continues to be a popular takeout option for people in a hurry.
The Tuna Kimbap and Bulgogi (marinated beef) Kimbap are two items on the menu made Korean style. Kimbap is a Korean dish made from cooked rice, vegetables, fish or meat rolled in dried sheets of seaweed and eaten in bitesized pieces. In both there are pickled burdock and pickled radish that give the rolls a delicious kick.
They also have the more familiar sushi rolls, such as the California, dynamite, yam and avocado rolls.
Jin and Brian officially took over Seoul Sushi on May 1 and are expanding their offerings.
“I started making traditional Korean kimchi,” said Jin. “I was surprised that so many people like it. We are also using more technology to make our rolls and tempura, and we want to start making
new owners of Seoul Sushi Jin
and Brian Jeon are offering Korean-style sushi, tempura, and very soon, Korean-style fried chicken. Seoul Sushi is located at 4775 Joyce Avenue. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Korean fried chicken soon.”
Jin said their main goal is to offer folks something different to eat, at a low price, but delicious and convenient at the same time.
“We are making fresh vegetable and prawn tempura now, plus a Korean dumpling called mandu-guk,” added Jin. “We started making seaweed salad to go as well.”
Jin estimates between 150 and 200 people stop by Seoul Sushi most days. The cooler on the right-hand side of the shop has boxes of ready-to-go, Koreanstyle sushi rolls, jars of kimchi and seaweed salad for take-away.
The
[left]
[From
Snack Attack Shack a throwback to simpler times
Family recipes, homemade meals and community feel keep customers coming back
TANYA HILL
thill@prpeak.com
Sisters Julia Huczel and Laurie Robertson opened the Snack Attack Shack seven years ago, located smack-dab in the middle of the Town Centre Mall. Since
then, they have transformed the openconcept eating space into more than a place to grab a snack or coffee, but a community hub that offers homecooked, fresh affordable meals all day. Robertson, who is a certified chef, said that the menu is, “going back to basics.” “We make home-cooked food using family recipes,” said Robertson. “We have good fish-and-chips that’s not deep fried but air fried and we roast our
left] Snack Attack Shack owner/operator Julia Huczel, regular customer Trish Todd, owner/operator Laurie Robertson and regular customer Marie Banks. TANYA HILL PHOTOS
chicken and beef for our sandwiches.”
The Snack Attack Shack’s menu is extensive and has something for everyone including made from scratch soups, chili, lasagna, salads made-toorder and pizza made with naan bread.
“The customers we have are amazing, we know everyone by name; people can sit, relax and have breakfast,” said Huczel.
“We also have 28 flavours of ice cream, sugar-cane drinks, sodas and coffee.”
Born and raised in the qathet region, both Huczel and Robertson are dedicated to their customers, but they are also always looking for ways to improve their business.
“We cooked seven turkeys for a 90-person [Christmas] dinner that took place here,”said Robertson. “We did the same for Thanksgiving and Easter.”
The sisters and business owners are excited about what is on the horizon for the Snack Attack Shack.
“We are creating a new food line but are keeping it hush-hush for now,” said Huczel. “In the next couple months we will be moving into a new location in the mall.”
That new space is not far from where they are now, but will have a more cozy, brick and mortar, restaurant feel to it.
“We are still enjoying what we do and our customers are a big part of that,” said both Robertson and Huczel.
Snack Attack Shack can be found on their Facebook page, facebook.com/ Shack2017.
Summer citrus salad
This refreshing salad is delicious and healthy. Why not enjoy it with friends on your patio or in the park?
INGREDIENTS
(Servings: 2)
• 1/4 cup pearl barley
• 1 pomegranate
• 4 cups arugula or spring mix
• 1 cup cooked chicken breast, roughly diced
• 1 orange, peeled and cut into thin slices
• 1 tablespoon crushed toasted almonds (for garnish)
FOR THE DRESSING
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 3 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 small clove garlic, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup
• Salt and pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. In a small saucepan, simmer the barley for 25 minutes or until tender. Drain and set aside to let cool.
2. Cut open the pomegranate and remove the seeds. Watch an online tutorial if necessary. Set aside.
3. whisk together the ingredients for the dressing in a small bowl. Season to taste and set aside.
4. In a large dish or salad bowl, gently toss the lettuce, chicken, orange slices, barley and pomegranate seeds.
5. Add the dressing and serve in salad bowls. Garnish with crushed almonds.
Pizza crew delivers
Domino’s location opened three years ago
TANYA HILL
thill@prpeak.com
Most evenings folks in the qathet region see Domino’s Pizza drivers zipping around town in their cars delivering freshly made pizza to customers. Franchise owner Gurpreet Sidhu opened the location at 105-4871 Joyce Avenue in Powell River almost three years ago, and at the moment employs 18 staff members.
“I like this town; I used to come here for camping,” said Sidhu. “I have worked for Domino’s Pizza for the past 15 years, first as a delivery driver, then manager and general manager.”
Sidhu put forward the idea of opening a location in qathet and [management] gave him the go ahead. Now he is a
franchise owner with another location in Squamish.
“Many customers like our deluxe pizza offerings, such as the barbecue chicken, Hawaiian and chicken-bacon alfredo,” said Sidhu. “On most Friday nights we deliver between 700 and 800 pizzas.”
The busy Domino’s crew behind the counter, in the kitchen and in delivery vehicles work together with technology to get the orders out on time and made fresh.
“We also give back to the community,” said Sidhu. “For example, most schools in the area sell our pizza at a discounted rate in order to raise funds for programs.”
Sidhu said he plans to stay in qathet long term and that he likes the laid back feel of the region.
“I bought a house, I have a dog and my parents live here,” said Sidhu.
To see the full menu, go to pizza.dominos. ca/powell-river-british-columbia.
Franchise owner at Dominos Pizza Gurpreet Sidhu [left] and crew work hard to make and deliver pizza to qathet residents. TANYA HILL PHOTO
