New menus at Gulf Island resort built by Chef of the Year Nico Schuermans
Visits to the idyllic Gulf Islands just got a lot tastier with a unique partnership between Galiano Island’s Bodega Ridge and Vancouver’s award-winning Dirty Apron Cooking School. Along with having a resident Chef from Dirty Apron onsite leading all food operations, Bodega Ridge’s menus have all been rebuilt and reimagined by Dirty Apron founder and 2011 Vancouver Chef of the Year Nico Schuermans with a focus on local ingredients from Galiano farmers.
Located on 22 acres of stunning coastal property, Bodega Ridge has established a reputation as a destination like no other for retreats, weddings and corporate events.
The Dirty Apron Cooking School and Deli offers much more than just classes and sandwiches. Their superb team also does a wide range of catering and special events which makes them an ideal match for Bodega Ridge’s numerous yoga retreats, corporate meetings, special events and weddings.
Chef Mook Sutton has been put in charge of executing the menus at Bodega Ridge and he brings a stellar resume and wide range of experience in kitchens in Toronto, New Zealand and Vancouver to the task. Having settled in Vancouver, this Auckland, NZ native worked at Cin CIn and the Wedgwood Hotel before helping to open Chambar, where he’s been a cornerstone ever since. The Chambar connection will also include the addition of Chambar Ale— Bodega owner Jesse Keefer’s favourite brew– to the taps in the Lodge
“Nico’s a really good friend of mine,” said Jesse. “I’ve had the chance to enjoy his food many times over the years and I’m proud to be able to offer it to my guests. This partnership is going to allow us to offer a world-class catering program built around local ingredients, some of which are grown on the Bodega grounds. All of our greens and edible flowers come from Galiano’s most establish and prolific farmer, Donna Marben and many other ingredients are sourced by our friends Roger and Lisa who live just 5 minutes away. Even our coffee is roasted on Galiano by the Galiano Coffee Roasting Company”.
Bodega Ridge made another major change in the off-season to improve food service, but this one was completed with shovels and trucks. The area adjacent to the lodge was levelled and landscaped to turn it into the primary al fresco dining option. Big enough to seat over 100 guests easily, the new dining area offers great views out over Trincomali Channel but being much closer to the kitchen and food prep areas will allow for more seamless, more responsive service.
Plans are in the works for special public culinary events at Bodega Ridge later in the season. These events will have a strong focus on seasonal and local ingredients from the Gulf Island. Follow Bodega Ridge on Facebook and Twitter for latest news.
About Bodega Ridge: Located on 22 acres gorgeous acres at the North end of Galiano Island, Bodega Ridge is a retreat and recreation destination in one of BC’s most idyllic spots. The seven cabins and main lodge look west onto Trincomali Channel and the adjacent Islands. Guests can head uphill to the spectacular hike along the ridge which gives the resort its name or downhill to any of three beach accesses within a kilometre. Guests who choose to stay on the resort grounds can enjoy the trail network, walk through orchards, go wildlife spotting or admire the garden of rock sculptures. Bodega Ridge is open year-round and can be found on the web at www.bodegaridge.com.
