Chef Ned Bell Appointed Buy BC Chef Ambassador

Buy BC Chef Ambassador Ned Bell

Buy BC announces a delicious partnership with locavore Ned Bell as the program’s new “Chef Ambassador.” The award-winning chef is a champion for local, seasonal, and sustainable foods, farmers and fishers, and he delights in sharing simple ways to cook and eat the best of our province.

The author of Lure: Sustainable Seafood Recipes from the West Coast, and Partner, General Manager and Executive Chef of Naramata Inn, Bell has long inspired people to think bigger about ingredients harvested from the land and waterways of B.C. and to make conscious choices that lead to better outcomes for both the food cycle and the environment.

“When we buy local ingredients and products, we celebrate nutritious meals grown in our own backyard, and support local farmers and producers, communities and the environment at the same time,” said Bell. “Food grown and raised in B.C. is picked at peak freshness. That means shorter travel time from farms to tables, which in turn creates fresher and tastier food and a reduced carbon footprint, all while maintaining farmland and green space in communities.”

First launched in the ‘90s, Buy BC makes it easy for consumers to identify local ingredients and products by the presence of the Buy BC logo. The program was re-established by the provincial government in 2018 and is led by the Minister of Agriculture and Food, Lana Popham. “Buying B.C. food and beverages strengthens our provincial food system and keeps people and the economy working,” said Popham. “Ned’s steadfast commitment to supporting local food, and his ability to inspire, excite, and connect make this partnership a perfect pairing.”

As Chef Ambassador, Bell is excited to work alongside the Buy BC team to promote the importance of buying local to consumers; to support ongoing farmer, producer, and chef relations; and act as a hyper-local Buy BC advocate for all members in the province.

He launched his new role alongside Minister Popham on the opening day of this year’s PNE, cooking beautiful Wild BC Salmon, garden-fresh B.C. herbs, and ripe and juicy peaches on the Safeway cooking stage.

(Find the Wild BC Salmon with Green Goddess recipe here.)

Next up, Bell will appear at upcoming Ministry led events connecting chefs, farmers, and food producers, to share stories and innovations, and highlight food products produced in B.C.

Get information about Buy BC, including details on how to become a partner, at buybc.gov.bc.ca, and connect socially on Facebook and Instagram @eatdrinkbuybc.

Learn more about Chef Ned Bell at nedbell.com and follow him on Facebook and Instagram @nedbell.