Lesley Stowe’s 5 Things You Ought To Try

Lesley Stowe, the mastermind behind everyone’s favourite Raincoast Crisps, picks five, cool things we really ought to try.

Parisian-trained chef and bestselling cookbook author Lesley Stowe is the founder of Lesley Stowe Fine Foods, the specialty food company that manufactures Raincoast Crisps, B.C.’s most recognizable snack and the number-one gourmet cracker for taste-conscious hosts throughout North America.

A culinary pioneer among local foodies (she has both a celebrated catering company and a fine foods shop under her belt), Stowe has now lent her name and her company’s financial support to a trailblazing enterprise of a different sort. As the official sponsor of Canada’s first-ever Women’s Olympic Ski Jumping Team (the International Olympic Committee recently included women’s’ ski jumping as one of five new events for the 2014 Sochi Games), she predicts a strong Olympic finish for Canada’s women jumpers, citing “diligence, determination and professionalism,” not to mention raw talent as the attributes that will put them in the medals. Stowe knows how to spot a winner, which is why we’ve asked for her five favourite cheap, free or worth-it things to see, do or buy around here.

Lesley Stowe’s Fave Five

EAT the most delicious breads and baked goods from Purebread Bakery (pictured above). Based in Function Junction just outside Whistler, this bakery has recently spread its wings and now sells goods at Nat Baily and Kits Community Centre farmers markets. Buckwheat sour cherry pecan loaf, pudgie pies, Nutella brioche and outrageous brownies are a few of my faves. This is what I call carbohydrate heaven.
Purebread Bakery, 1-1040 Millar Creek Road, Whistler, 604-938-3013, visit www.purebread.ca

WAKE UP and head to the Tomahawk. This diner is an institution in North Vancouver, made popular by the rugby players who came for their Yukon Platter after practice. A half order of the French toast with crispy bacon is really the thing to order and is plenty for most appetites! After this hearty nosh, head up Capilano road to the fisheries where there are some fabulous hikes along the river.
Tomahawk Restaurant, 1550 Philip Avenue, North Vancouver, 604-988-2612, visit www.tomahawkrestaurant.com

SHOP Kits Market on Yew Street. This corner grocery store is the unsung florist of Kitsilano. Florist Laura and her daughter line the storefront with buckets of colourful seasonal flowers and create beautiful arrangements for the fraction of the cost. I often like to do my own creating, but if I can’t, I’m never disappointed by the selection or prices at Kits Market.
1575 Yew Street, Vancouver, 604-731-1441

FORAGE on a spring hike at the beach or in the woods. One of my favourite things to do is collect twigs, pine cones or shells when I’m out on a stroll. In B.C., bringing in the outdoors is easy. Create centrepieces for your table with a collection of treasures in mismatched jars. Hint: Stick to a theme and limit the number of different things you collect. With a little imagination, your décor becomes original, personal and free!

CREATE some incredible crafts from the goodies at Urban Source. This shop on Main Street carries everything from puzzle pieces and telephone wire to gorgeous ribbon, feathers and vintage photos. All you need is an imagination, and your crafts will be taken to a whole new level.
Urban Source Alternative Arts Materials, 3126 Main Street, Vancouver, 604-875-1611, visit www.urbansource.bc.ca

To learn more about Raincoast Crisps and Lesley Stowe’s Olympics sponsorship, visit www.lesleystowe.com; follow Lesley on Twitter: @lesleystowe, and on Facebook: lesley stowe’s raincoast crisps