On a balmy hot afternoon in August, each year in the Okanagan there is a Food and Wine event not to be missed.  This past Sunday found me once again at the "FEAST OF THE FIELDS" event, this year hosted by Claremont Ranch Organics.  This orchard has been farmed since 1900  and continues today with organic production of up to 35 types of apples, pears, peaches, apricots, plums and some vegetables on their Lake Country property.    No weddings for me today. Three loves in my life -(OK there are more) - my Sweetheart husband, all things Wedding related and Food & Wine, but today my only concentration is on the food and wine to be found at this glorious event.












With provided wine glass and cloth napkin in hand, we ventured into the orchard rows serenaded sweetly by the strings of sweet Harp music.  The pears were yet green but heavy, hanging on the many rows of dwarf trees.  In the distance an opening in the orchard with many, many tents and tables, the hub and sounds of chatting people, sipping, savoring, oohing and aahing as they tasted culinary magic and swirled local wines in their glass.

Fabulous displays of flowers, seasonal fruit, vegetables, breads and all kinds of ingredients to tantalize our senses.  As usual there were so many fabulous morsels and treats to tempt us, but I had my favorites, which I'll share with you.

Most Memorable First place - Delta Grand Okanagan Resort and Conference Centre provided us with a uniquely tasty combination, which left you wanting for more, much more.  There BRAISED APPLE  BBQ'D PORK WITH A sweet FRESH CORN RELISH  NESTLED ON AN EDBLE BREAD BASE had such flavor, it ranked highest on my list.



Light and refreshing! - Second place - RauDZ Regional Table offered an amazingly simple but winning combination of HONEY GLAZED STERLING SPRINGS' CHICKEN WITH FROZEN APRICOT AND A HAZELNUT CRUST.  The burst of frozen apricot was so refreshing.   Yum!





Unusual but great! - Third place - Quails Gate Winery, Old Vines Restaurant's GRILLED PACIFIC HUMBOLDT SQUID, SUNCATCHER FARM TOMATOES, CATALAN BREAD, WITH GREMOLATA .  Tender morsels of squid, light and refreshing with the tomato salsa on top. A very pleasant and delicate surprise.





memorable WINES, SPIRITS, LIQUORS-

Okanagan Grocery - "Okanagan Spritzer" a heavenly concoction of Gewurztraminer wine, muddled lemon balm, fresh peach juice and soda water.





Maple Leaf Spirits Inc. - Cherry Liqueur and Pearl Liqueur