Once again, I'm joined by James Iranzad (Gooseneck Hospitality) and James Langford-Smith (Pamplemousse Jus), as we dig into a few topics that have been top of mind lately...

We kick things off by unpacking what the BCGEU strike has meant for the hospitality industry, and how we can better protect ourselves during future labour negotiations. From there, the discussion shifts to Nikki Bayley’s latest, and we imagine curating our own version; we touch on the recent New York Times feature following two restaurateurs, with limited money and experience, trying to open restaurants in NYC; wrapping it all up with a recent Vancouver Sun column about the rise of food content creators, and how social media is shaping the way diners experience food culture in Vancouver.

Always good fun when we chat. Enjoy!

The 38 Best Restaurants in Vancouver, According to a Local Expert - Eater

Opening a Restaurant in New York Is No Picnic. - New York Times

How food content creators are transforming Vancouver’s restaurant scene - Vancouver Sun

If you have questions, observations, or ideas for future episodes, email at trackandfoodpod@gmail.com 

In this episode, I sit down with my good friend James Iranzad, of Gooseneck Hospitality (Bufala, Lucky Taco, Bells & Whistles), to unpack three big conversations shaping BC’s dining scene right now, kicking off with the BCLDB strike and how it’s rippling through restaurants across the province — from inventory headaches to staff morale. Then we dig into the latest Michelin Awards and what they reveal about Vancouver’s evolving culinary identity. Finally, we explore what it means to be a “foodie” in 2025, inspired by Jaya Saxena’s insightful Eater column "The Life and Death of the American Foodie".

If you love good food, honest opinions, and some laughs along the way, this one’s for you. And, beginning now, there are two ways to enjoy: by listening to the player above, or by watching the following Youtube video.

https://youtu.be/RaTJS1go6cw?si=y0ebHgLlfUC8jYkT

The Life and Death of the American Foodie - Eater

If you have questions, observations, or ideas for future episodes, email at trackandfoodpod@gmail.com 

Welcome to the Episode 100 extravaganza! In honour of this milestone, we catch up with former Track & Food podcast co-host, Mickey McLeod, and friend of the podcast, Tristan Young, of The Keefer Bar. Then, with the help of industry vets Shira Blustein (Acorn, Lila), James Langford-Smith (Pamplemousse Jus), James Iranzad (Gooseneck Hospitality), and Michelle Sproule (Scout Magazine), we embark on a lengthy and raucous discussion beginning with whether Vancouver has a defining food image, and veering into myriad other hospitality-related topics. Get ready for a two-and-a-half-hour-long, fun-filled, and bubbles-fuelled episode of insider knowledge and laughter.

For additional context, check out my recent article for Midrange, "Is McDonald's the Defining Food Image of Our Time?" You can read it here.



If you have questions, observations, or ideas for future episodes, email at trackandfoodpod@gmail.com 

Will poverty always be a systemic issue? This is the question at the heart of Tracy Smith-Carrier’s article, “Implementing a basic income means overcoming myths about the ‘undeserving poor’”, published in The Conversation last December – and the focus of today’s interview with its author.

Smith-Carrier has studied poverty for over 25 years, and is currently an Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair, with a focus on Advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, at Royal Roads University in Victoria, BC. As such, she brings a candid and humanistic lens to an issue affecting so many in our society, by breaking down the myths hindering our progress towards the elimination of poverty and (hopefully) helping us to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the issue from a macro level.

If you have questions, observations, or ideas for future episodes, email at trackandfoodpod@gmail.com

Back in the fall, I received some good intel, via text, about a peculiar issue brewing up along Main Street, regarding the Mount Pleasant Business Improvement Association(BIA). The problem was a proposed expansion of where the BIA lines fell, with the Main and 19-29th Street areas considered a new addition. The text suggested a lot of pushback from business owners in this proposed expansion area who did not want a BIA.

Fast forward to moments after recording my last episode when guest, Shira Blustein (owner of The Acorn and The Arbor), pulled me aside to let me know that the BIA story was still on the table, and that a vote with the Mount Pleasant board members to decide the fate of the expansion would be happening on February 27th. If I wanted to cover this story, now was the time.

Vancouver has 22 Business Improvement Associations – nonprofits funded by their jurisdiction through tax dollars collected by the City. Their roles within their respective communities vary, with some being more prominent than others (for example, Gastown has a potent BIA). The Mount Pleasant BIA expansion is unique, as most business owners in this area are small operators with prolonged exposure to the area.

In this episode, we hear from Mount Pleasant BIA Executive Director, Neil Wyles, on why he’s pushed so hard for this expansion and what that process has entailed so far, as well as from those in opposition, including business owners Erin Boniferro (Collage Collage), Kildare Curtis (Eugene Choo), and the aforementioned Blustein. A small, dynamic interview with David Duprey – board member of the Mount Pleasant BIA and owner of The Narrow Group (Uncle Abe’s, The Narrow, Slim’s BBQ, Key Party) – has also been added.

Whether at work or with friends, one of the more common questions posed to me is: “Where do you recommend going for dinner?” In a city as varied and culturally diverse as Vancouver, options for delicious fare seem endless. But despite the abundance of intrigue and hard-to-book tables, the local sector is in peril (much like the beer industry featured in my previous episode). This is largely (still) owing to the hard-hitting pandemic, which left thousands of small businesses scrambling nationwide. In today’s episode, we hone in on the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA), a $60,000 government assistance loan with a string attached: $20,000 in forgiveness if paid back by a specific date. That date passed in 2022 and was extended once more to January 18th, 2024. More than 885,000 small businesses and not-for-profits took out CEBA loans, totalling more than $48 billion.

According to a Restaurants Canada report from late October 2023, the Canadian food service industry was on track to reach a remarkable milestone, with a value of $110 billion in 2023. It is Canada’s fourth largest private employer, serving 22 million people per day – yet over 50 percent of restaurants and food service businesses are either operating at a loss or barely breaking even.

To better understand what is happening on the ground here in Vancouver, I’ve rounded up a few friends who also work in the industry: Shira Blustein (owner of Acorn and The Arbor), Shaun Layton (co-owner of ¿CóMO? Tapería), and James Iranzad (co-founder and operator of Gooseneck Hospitality, and a fixture on this podcast). We debate where restaurants are headed in 2024 and what can be done to help an industry on the brink.

Businesses need to pay CEBA loans or lose free money — because the deadline isn't changing - CBC

Restaurants Canada Supports Growth and Stability of the Canadian Foodservice Industry - Restaurants Canada

New pilot project supports restaurant industry’s workforce development - B.C. Government


If you have questions, observations, or ideas for future episodes, email at trackandfoodpod@gmail.com

If you had asked me what I thought ‘craft beer’ was when I first moved to Vancouver, back in 2009, my answer would have been something vague about its ‘higher quality’. Fast forward to today, and layers of experiences, flavours and perspectives add nuance and understanding to what the beer sector signifies.

Market capitalization and interest usually peak when something new captures the scene, with entrepreneurs racing to make their mark and carve out their niches. In BC, R&B, Storm, Red Truck, Phillips, and Driftwood are a handful of the early success stories; then came 33 Acres, Strange Fellows, Parkside, and Brassneck (to name a few), who shepherded an exciting crew of businesses with exceptional beers and inviting tasting rooms. The people came, and a new way of socializing formed: fewer corner pubs and more family affairs. Kids and dogs littered patios as parents sipped on unique IPA styles.

Soon, there were upwards of over 200 craft breweries in the province. Craft beer seemed here to stay… Then came a pandemic, rising interest rates, changing consumer habits, and the rise of non-alcoholics and RTDs – each a new challenge for breweries. As of late 2023, the news wasn’t good: some are closing, and others may follow suit; reports from the CBC and Global News paint a possible stark environment for 2024.

To gain a better comprehension of the situation from the inside, I’ve rounded up three friends and prominent brewery owners – Sam Payne (co-owner and operator of Parkside and Rewind ), Nick Black (co-owner and operator of Strange Fellows), and Adam Henderson (owner of Superflux) – to share their knowledge and personal narratives, and discuss the state of the craft brewery market today, how they see it evolving, and the challenges ahead…

Trouble brewing? Canadian beermakers foresee closures amid economic challenges - CBC

Beer industry says looming tax increase latest blow to tapped out sector - CBC

COVID loan repayments a brewing crisis for B.C. craft beer sector, industry warns - Global News

A Missed Opportunity— Did The Craft Beer Industry Lose Their One Chance To Grow Their Market Share? - Track and Food



If you have questions, observations, or ideas for future episodes, email at trackandfoodpod@gmail.com

In this newest edition of the triple(J) - H series, prominent former winemaker Heidi Noble joins alongside James Iranzad (Gooseneck Hospitality) and James Langford-Smith (Pamplemousse Jus) to help predict who will win, keep, and possibly move up in year two of Vancouver's Michelin guide. Enjoy!

This year's announcement is on October 5th. 

In 2018, Vancouver non-profit Foundations for Social Change, along with researchers from UBC, set out to do a small experiment: a one-year trial where they gave a lump sum of $7,500 cash, no strings attached, directly to people experiencing homelessness to see whether the direct cash method would provide them with a leg up finding stable housing, or if they would instead spend it on temptation goods (drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, etc.). Several local shelters were enlisted to help them find suitable candidates for their study, which was led by Dr. Jiaying Zhao (PhD, Associate Professor, Canada Research Chair, UBC). The results – published only a few weeks ago – shed light on how the homeless actually spend their money while also providing clues for what they need to succeed moving forward.

For further reading on this study, check out the links below...

A B.C. research project gave homeless people $7,500 each — the results were 'beautifully surprising' - CBC

A Canadian study gave $7,500 to homeless people. Here’s how they spent it. - Vox

A Study Showed Giving Money to Homeless People Changes Lives. What’s Next? - The Tyee

In this episode, award-winning freelance journalist, Rachel Nuwer, discusses her fantastic and revelatory new book, I Feel Love: MDMA and the Quest for Connection in a Fractured World. Featuring the real life stories of many intriguing characters, from ravers to PTSD sufferers, Nuwer's book covers a lot of ground: from how MDMA (aka Ectasy or "Molly") accidentally came to be (in a German lab for pharmaceutical company, Merck), to its use by the US government as a potential 'truth serum' circa the 1950s (spoiler: this never took off), and subsequently by prominent biochemists and pharmacologists as a (legal) treatment for trauma and addiction in the mid-1970s. I Feel Love is at times maddening and disheartening, but also captivating, enlightening and an overall pleasurable read - in the similar vein of Dr. Gabor Maté and Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, who also explore the concept of 'best practice' for those who are suffering trauma. A must-read for those seeking a compassionate journey.

Rachel Nuwer is an award-winning freelance journalist who reports about science, travel, food and adventure for the New York Times, National Geographic, Scientific American and more. Her multi-award winning first book, Poached: Inside the Dark World of Wildlife Trafficking, was published in 2018 with Da Capo Press. Her second book, I Feel Love: MDMA and the Quest for Connection in a Fractured World, was published in June 2023 with Bloomsbury. 

Two years ago, I was fortunate enough to speak with UBC Professor Edward Slingerland regarding his then-new book, Drunk: How We Sipped, Danced, and Stumbled Our Way to Civilization (take a listen to the June 16th, 2021 episode here). If you haven’t already read it, Drunk is a fantastic and sometimes hilarious examination of drunkenness, how being drunk enables us to trust and cooperate, and how alcohol consumption has influenced human development over the course of history.

Since then, Health Canada has developed new drinking guidelines for Canadians, amounting to a complete shift from their previous recommendations. For many (myself included), this has caused confusion, apathy, and rigorous discourse – including from Professor Slingerland, who recently published the article Making the Case for (Moderate) Alcohol Consumption (Medium). In it, he argues that Health Canada’s new guidelines overlook many of the causal benefits (moderate) drinking provides and how it factors into the hospitality industry. With the help of James Iranzad (Gooseneck Hospitality), we revisit Professor Slingerland’s book and column to give our thoughts on how the hospitality industry should respond moving forward.

To get a more comprehensive perspective of what’s happening in Kelowna, I reached out to a few local entrepreneurs who’ve helped revitalize the community with many of their brands: David Paterson (Tantalus Vineyards, Vice & Virtue Brewing); Kyle Nixon (BNA Brewing Co., Skinny Duke’s Glorious Emporium, Bernie’s Supper Club and Cinema); and Casey Greabeiel (Greta Vancouver, Salt & Brick, Jack’s Kelowna, Diner Deluxe, Pretty Not Bad).

Among other things, we discuss labour and migrant worker issues, minimum wage hikes, the proliferation of corporate chains, and how they’re dealing with consistent forest fire threats. Their respective – and collective – passion for the hospitality industry is evident and infectious. They want Kelowna to thrive. This chat has all the goods.

Special mention goes out to Ria Kitsch (Kitsch Winery), who was supposed to join this chat but had to drop out at the last minute due to scheduling constraints. She was invaluable in getting us all together.

In this episode, we dive into some of the more pressing (and sometimes frustrating) issues the hospitality world is experiencing right now – beginning with ‘tip-flation’ and the growing backlash from consumers. Is the tipping model completely broken? Or are people just tired of being prompted to tip everywhere they go?

From there, we dig into reservation and cancellation policies. Credit card holds are now standard operation, but is a 24-hour cancellation window still fair? What happens when guests ask for leniency, or when a table is filled anyway after a no-show? Is it time for restaurants to rethink how they handle this?

We also explore something that’s been on my mind a lot lately: what do you do when your restaurant is running smoothly, but the team vibe feels flat? How do you reignite that spark when the energy dips, even with a veteran crew?

Then there’s the profitability conversation — this time with a ‘meaty’ twist. Could serving less meat actually be better for the bottom line? With more veg-forward spots pricing dishes under $30, we unpack whether that’s a necessity, competitive strategy, or just smart economics. We compare meat versus veg labor costs, and what guests are willing to pay for plant-based menus.

And finally, I pose my guests with a personal question: After everything we’ve been through in this industry, what still drives you, and what keeps you coming back?

Speaking of my guests, this time around I’m joined by four of Vancouver hospitality’s best and most vocal personalities: James Iranzad (Gooseneck Hospitality), Shira Blustein (The Acorn, Lila), Shaun Layton (¿CóMO? Taperia), and Adam Henderson (Superflux, Superflux {Cabana}). As always, it’s a lively, thoughtful, and unfiltered conversation; I hope you enjoy it.

The Backlash Against ‘Tip-flation’ - The Tyee

Face it: you're a crazy person - Experimental History

If you have questions, observations, or ideas for future episodes, email at trackandfoodpod@gmail.com 

In this episode, Jacob Richler, founder and publisher of Canada's most diverse and influential restaurant ranking, Canada's 100 Best, discusses his years as a food critic, why he created this list in the first place, how the judging process unfolds, and where he sees things evolving in the year ahead... Enjoy!

Canada's 100 Best launched in 2015. Last year, Vancouver's own Published on Main was ranked Canada's "Best Restaurant" for 2022. See the full 2023 list here.

The boys are back for another “triple J” episode, chockfull with their in-depth insights and immeasurable humour… This time around, James Iranzad (Gooseneck Hospitality) and James Langford-Smith (Pamplemousse Jus) share their opinions on the Vancouver Magazine 2023 Restaurant Awards finalists, and break down Vancouver’s restaurant scene as a whole. Enjoy!

While reading The Tyee back in late January, a story by labour economist, David Fairey (who is also a research associate of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives) and Associate Professor of Sociology at UVic, Anelyse Weiler, caught my eye… In “It’s 2023. BC Farm Workers Deserve Basic Minimum Wage Guarantees”, the authors reveal how our current piece rate system for agricultural workers is fraught with low wages, exploitation, classism, and racism. I decided to bring the duo on in order to gain a better understanding of the topic and narrative and to share their candid perspectives and insightful solutions. Do enjoy!

Mentioned:

"It’s 2023. BC Farm Workers Deserve Basic Minimum Wage Guarantees" by David Fairey and Anelyse Weiler

"Farmworkers Finally Won Overtime Pay. Now the Industry Wants to Repeal It" by Grey Moran

"Legislated Wage Suppression" by David Fairey

"Government wrong to exclude farm workers from basic minimum wage protection" by David Fairey and Anelyse Weiler

"BC Pickers: A Report on Piece Rates in Agriculture" by Mark Thompson

"Temporary Foreign Workers Hit Record Levels in BC" by Zak Vescara

Recently, I was lucky enough to have Maude Renaud-Brisson (Founder, Apéro Mode), Kelcie Jones (GM, Elephant) and Jenna Briscoe (GM, Café Medina) on to discuss their new endeavour, 'This is Wine School', launching in Chinatown (265 East Pender) this week. 

These three ladies have already brought much vigour and enthusiasm regarding wine and wine education to Vancouver. With 'This is Wine School' they will collectively continue their trajectory by offering Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) accreditation classes for hospitality career-minded folks, as well as a slate of their own personally stylized 'alternative' wine courses designed for the general wine-loving public. In this episode, we chat about how this project took shape, what they hope to accomplish with it, and more. It's not all serious wine talk, though - prepare yourself for a lot of laughs throughout!

Back for another fun conversation, Alex Black of Laowai joins to talk about his new bar, Bagheera. Located just around the corner, we run through the concept, how things came about, branding, ice machine difficulties and much more. Alex is always candid and insightful. Enjoy!

Prominent food journalist, Corey Mintz, jumps on once again to help break down the news of Noma's impending closure at the end of 2024. If you are unfamiliar, the New York Times dropped the story this past Monday with a fully detailed exposé regarding the context and timing of this announcement. Issues with unpaid labour and what this signifies for chef and owner, René Redzepi, and his team moving forward as well as how this affects global fine dining in the future. The former world number one has made an indelible mark within the food economy. There's a lot to unpack here. Enjoy!

Famed New York Times food critic, Pete Wells, shared his thoughts regarding this announcement and why it's so significant.

Here's the link to Corey's Eater feature from 2017. 

The boys are back with their insights and predictions for 2023. Recorded a few days before the new year, James Iranzad and James Langford-Smith give the goods on where and how they see the restaurant community evolving this coming year. Yet another classic "triple J episode. Do enjoy!

After reading Corey Mintz’s NBC News column, ‘Outrage at Starbucks tipping prompt shows people don’t get how the tipping con works‘, I brought on the prominent food journalist to get his unique insights and perspective on the “tip creep”: what is it actually, and what does it mean for the hospitality and business industries moving forwards?

For more Mintz, be sure to check out my previous podcast with him (originally aired November 30th, 2021) where we dig into his book, The Next Supper: The End of Restaurants as We Knew Them, and What Comes After – fantastic stuff.

Corey Mintz is a freelance food reporter (New York Times, Globe and Mail, Eater, and others), focusing on the intersection between what we eat with business, politics, farming, ethics, land use, labor (or labour, as it’s spelled in Canada), education and culture. He has been a cook and a restaurant critic. For his long-running column Fed, he hosted 192 dinner parties, featuring politicians, refugees, criminals, artists, academics, acupuncturists, high-rise window washers, competitive barbecuers, and one monkey. He is the author of two and a half books. He lives in Winnipeg with his wife, Victoria, and their daughter, Cookie Puss.

Another episode with James Iranzad and James Langford-Smith is here! In this latest instalment, we discuss Michelin coming to Vancouver, and make our picks as to who will gain a star. We then shift gears to weigh in on our personal favourite Vancouver restaurant dishes. This episode has all the hallmarks of our classic “triple J” banter. Do enjoy.

Can life get any better for chef and restaurateur, JC Poirier? His restaurant, the Québécois inspired, St. Lawrence, just won its third straight Restaurant of the Year Award from Vancouver Magazine, right on the heels of a third place finish in Canada's Top 100. With Michelin on the way at the end of October, a star is certainly in his sights - whether it will be one or two remains to be seen.

Moreover, in addition to all of these accolades, Poirier's new cookbook is dropping next month (November 8th). A loving homage to his home province of Québec, Where the River Narrows is a personal and entertaining journey tracing Poirier's childhood, up to nights spent at home with his own two daughters, with delicious and detailed recipes dispersed throughout, perfected for all to enjoy. (FYI I'm an especially big fan of his pork chop recipe.)

Poirier and I recently spoke at length about his career, his cooking philosophy, how Where the River Narrows came about, and what he hopes readers will take away from it. Honest, humble, candid and soft-spoken, he is surely a joy to listen to...

Once again, I’m joined by my good friends James Iranzad (Gooseneck Hospitality) and James Langford-Smith (Pamplemousse Jus) for another of our signature catch-ups. In this episode, we discuss the buzz around recent restaurant awards — Van Mag, Canada’s 100 Best, and North America’s 50 Best Bars — and the latest restaurant openings here in Vancouver. We also reflect on the emotional power of good menu design, the feeling we chase when dining out, and the significance of this year’s BCRFA Hall of Fame nominations.

If you have questions, observations, or ideas for future episodes, email at trackandfoodpod@gmail.com 

In this latest episode James, James and I gather together to draft our ideal restaurant lineup. Influenced by The Ringer’s, The Rewatchables, and the NBA’s all star draft format, we choose from a random selection of Vancouver’s top hospitality veterans to round out our ideal restaurant teams.

The rules were simple.

1. Come up with a name and concept
2. Ten member teams with two additional wild cards
3. Snake draft format

This episode is hilarious, silly and a complete waste of time, which is why it’s so awesome. Who's picked first? What roles will they fill? What type of teams did we want?

Each person on this list is someone we highly respect and those we might have missed, we apologize. Lighthearted fun you won’t want to miss.

To help you follow along, here’s the list of characters we had to choose from.

James Iranzad is a co-owner of Gooseneck Hospitality. James Langford-Smith is a co-owner of Pamplemousse Jus. 

Presented by Scout Magazine.

The book Healing Grounds – Climate, Justice, and the Deep Roots of Regenerative Farming came onto my radar while reading an interview with its author, Liz Carlisle, published last March by Civil Eats, an American news source focused on sustainable food systems. Carlisle, an Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies, teaches food and farming at UC Santa Barbara.

Healing Grounds, her third book, tells stories of Indigenous, Black, Latinx, and Asian American farmers who are reviving their ancestors’ methods of growing food — techniques long suppressed by the industrial food system. These farmers are restoring native prairies, nurturing beneficial fungi, and enriching soil health. Through feeding their communities and revitalizing cultural ties to the land, they are also steadily stitching ecosystems back together and repairing the natural carbon cycle. According to Carlisle, this is the true regenerative agriculture – not merely a set of technical tricks, but a holistic approach that values diversity in both plants and people.

Having recently discovered the regenerative farming movement via another book, Eating to Extinction (author Dan Saladino was a Track & Food guest in February), I wondered where Carlisle’s narratives fell within its scope. In this episode, we dig deep into each chapter of Healing Grounds, to discuss how they unfolded, what she learned along the way, and how she came to adopt her book title’s double entendre. This is definitely one of my favourite interviews, so far, and I’m confident you’ll enjoy listening to it also.

Liz Carlisle is an Assistant Professor in the Environmental Studies Program at UC Santa Barbara, where she teaches courses on food and farming. Born and raised in Montana, she got hooked on agriculture while working as an aide to organic farmer and U.S. Senator Jon Tester, which led to a decade of research and writing collaborations with farmers in her home state. She has written three books about regenerative farming and agroecology: Lentil Underground (2015), Grain by Grain (2019, with co-author Bob Quinn), and most recently, Healing Grounds: Climate, Justice, and the Deep Roots of Regenerative Farming (2022). She is also a frequent contributor to both academic journals and popular media outlets, focusing on food and farm policy, incentivizing soil health practices, and supporting new entry farmers. She holds a Ph.D. in Geography, from UC Berkeley, and a B.A. in Folklore and Mythology, from Harvard University. Prior to her career as a writer and academic, she spent several years touring rural America as a country singer.

A deep dive and fun chat for this one with the co-owners of Greta, Gastown's newest Arcade Bar. Taking over in the old Bourbon on Cordova Street, Chris Decock  and Casey Greabeiel reimagine the close to 9,000 square feet of space with a bustling high energy concept of arcade games, cocktails and signature fare. Taking cues from their two previous Greta iterations in both Calgary and Edmonton, Chris and Casey have helped to revitalize a dormant space while giving Vancouver a fun bar for everyone to enjoy.

I spoke with the two of them recently to learn more of why they came to Vancouver, what their concept was, how they got it off the ground and how they hoped to establish themselves within the community. If you're one of the few who has yet to check out Greta, you're sure to enjoy this chat as both Chris and Casey give plenty of insights and enthusiasm.


Do check out their website and head on down. I've been several times and it's a lot of fun.
https://www.gretabar.com

A bit of inside Baseball fun today with this episode as I bring on two close friends in James Iranzad of Gooseneck Hospitality and James Langford-Smith of Bodega Ridge on Galiano Island to talk shop about all things restaurants and bars. While sipping some of James Langford's new wine, Pamplemousse Jus, we run through the gamut of topics from what's going on in their lives currently, to government policy, new restaurants openings, fave cocktail spots and plenty of other issues. This is truly a fun one as the boys dish on why they care about this industry so much and how those feelings of genuine love have given way to successful careers. 

If you're up for a fun listen and want to know more about the nitty gritty of the Vancouver hospitality scene, this is the episode for you. 


**Apologies to Lightning Rock winemaker Jordan Kubek for mispronouncing her last name. 

Scout is one of Vancouver’s leading food and culture magazines. If you’re wanting to learn more about the city’s food and cultural sphere with regards to community news, new restaurant openings, essential guides to some of the city’s best offerings as well as who’s hiring, Scout is where you should go. We’re proud to have Scout as our presenting sponsor as we believe what they “Scout out” is an excellent compliment to what we’re offering here with Track and Food. Do check them out. scoutmagazine.ca

Trends in the food industry happen all the time. We can usually spot them a mile away. Ten years ago, craft beer took Vancouver and British Columbia by storm, when the market saw an opening and took full advantage of what was needed and desired. 

I believe we’re on the cusp of another big movement – this time, with the non-alcoholic sector. New entrants are emerging regularly and consumers have taken notice. They want quality and variety. 

With that being said, I wanted to find out who’s doing what, and there’s no better way to do that than by speaking with two new upstarts in the field: Nick Devine, from Edna’s Non-Alcoholic Cocktail Company, and Lane Matkovich, co-founder (with his brother, Leigh Matkovich) of Nonny Beer. Both businesses have just gotten off the ground (Edna’s, literally the day of airing) and I only predict big things ahead for them both. In this episode I seek to learn about their process, their brands, and how they see this market evolving with them in it. 

I also recently caught wind of The Flipside a new publication from wine pro/sommelier/journalist Kurtis Kolt, about his low-booze/no-booze journey to understanding the non-alcoholic sphere. With his background in reviewing wines and spirits, Kolt brings a curious bent to the conversation. 

With all three of them on board, the resulting conversation is informative, at times funny and, in my opinion, definitely worth your time!

Scout is one of Vancouver’s leading food and culture magazines. If you’re wanting to learn more about the city’s food and cultural sphere with regards to community news, new restaurant openings, essential guides to some of the city’s best offerings as well as who’s hiring, Scout is where you should go. We’re proud to have Scout as our presenting sponsor as we believe what they “Scout out” is an excellent compliment to what we’re offering here with Track and Food. Do check them out. scoutmagazine.ca

I’ve been lucky enough to have interviewed some truly brilliant individuals in the past, especially those who’ve written timely and insightful books. As a bookworm at heart, I just love delving into these stories and piecing them out. My interview with BBC Radio food journalist, Dan Saladino, is no exception.

His new book (which is receiving glowing reviews) tells a personal narrative of the diversity of food we risk losing if we’re not careful. In Eating to Extinction: The World’s Rarest Foods and Why We Need to Save Them, Saladino takes you on a global journey from Tanzania to Australia, to Colorado and the Faroe Islands. Along the way, we learn about the precariousness of kavilca wheat in Turkey, the importance of the Tian Shan forests in Kazakhstan for apple diversity, and the sheer will of Atlantic salmon when returning to their place of origin to spawn. Each story is meticulously researched, with Saladino occasionally offering up his own empathetic and curious viewpoint. This book is not only an important work for our time, but an enjoyable ride through our past and present food ecosystems.

In this interview, Dan digs into the nitty gritty of things in detail. I’m confident you’ll come away with a fuller understanding of our food biodiversity but more importantly, a hungry desire to grab a copy of Eating to Extinction to sink your teeth into.

Dan Saladino is a renowned food journalist who has worked at the BBC for twenty-five years. For more than a decade he has traveled the world recording stories of foods at risk of extinction — from cheeses made in the foothills of a remote Balkan mountain range to unique varieties of rice grown in southern China. His work has been recognized by the James Beard Foundation, the Guild of Food Writers, and the Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards.

Scout is one of Vancouver’s leading food and culture magazines. If you’re wanting to learn more about the city’s food and cultural sphere with regards to community news, new restaurant openings, essential guides to some of the city’s best offerings as well as who’s hiring, Scout is where you should go. We’re proud to have Scout as our presenting sponsor as we believe what they “Scout out” is an excellent compliment to what we’re offering here with Track and Food. Do check them out. scoutmagazine.ca

The best part of doing a podcast (sometimes, not all the time) is when you get to interview your buddies and chat with them about the cool shit they're doing.

Case in point: This chat with Simon Fallick and Patryk Drozd of Hero's Welcome.

Our talk has been in the works for sometime now and, well, I'm honestly happy we waited because they both had plenty to say.

Having already experienced the ups and downs of opening, and then running a bar together (they co-own The American), listening to their journey about why and how they took over the once extremely popular Taurus Veterans Club on Main Street left me elated. They each have a role to provide within their partnership and you certainly get a sense of how each fills it during this conversation. It's a big fun space with plenty of history and pedigree. It's in good hands now and should become a fixture in that part of Mount Pleasant for a long time to come. This discussion will give you all the goods you'll want to know about Hero's Welcome. Another small independent establishment run by two excellent fellows, exactly what Vancouver needs more of. I'm all for it and I hope you enjoy this one.



Scout is one of Vancouver’s leading food and culture magazines. If you’re wanting to learn more about the city’s food and cultural sphere with regards to community news, new restaurant openings, essential guides to some of the city’s best offerings as well as who’s hiring, Scout is where you should go. We’re proud to have Scout as our presenting sponsor as we believe what they “Scout out” is an excellent compliment to what we’re offering here with Track and Food. Do check them out. scoutmagazine.ca

Welcome to season 4 of the podcast. I'm delighted to be back after a short break.

What a guest to land to begin this new season. Extremely thankful I was able to chat with food journalist and author, Mark Schatzker about his new book, The End of Craving: Recovering the Lost Wisdom of Eating Well.

Leaning on research from the fields of food science, psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral economics (he references work from Amos Tversky and Daniel Kahneman, two of my personal faves), Mark weaves a masterful story that questions our decades long struggles with hedonic eating and diet. He urges one to rethink our lifestyle eating choices by aligning these with science-based facts. His book is illuminating, insightful, brilliantly written and compassionate. I read it in 30 hours and loved every bit. 

We run through his book in detail as Mark gives a thorough and candid interview. He's provocative, yet optimistic in his approach. I no doubt believe you'll come away with a better sense of what food should mean to you and why you should eat well. 

Do buy this book. You won't regret it. 



Scout is one of Vancouver’s leading food and culture magazines. If you’re wanting to learn more about the city’s food and cultural sphere with regards to community news, new restaurant openings, essential guides to some of the city’s best offerings as well as who’s hiring, Scout is where you should go. We’re proud to have Scout as our presenting sponsor as we believe what they “Scout out” is an excellent compliment to what we’re offering here with Track and Food. Do check them out. scoutmagazine.ca

Well, 2021, it's been a year. You were one for the books that's for sure.

This is our last episode of 2021 (obviously) and with it Mickey and I wanted to chat about what we went through these past 365 days. It was great to hear him bring his unvarnished perspective of someone who is on his way out of this industry. We really have a fun and illuminating chat and go through a wide range of issues.

Mickey and I want to thank you all for your support this past year and to all of our guests for joining us.

Here's links to many of the food ideas and topics I run through at the beginning.

midrangevancouver.com/food

https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/22698265/europe-cage-ban-animal-welfare-eggs-pork-united-states

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/19/dining/master-sommeliers-terminated-sexual-harassment.html

Happy New Year everyone. We'll see you in 2022. 

Jamie and Mickey

What an absolute delight it was to chat with prominent food journalist Corey Mintz (New York Times, Globe and Mail, Eater) about his recently released book, The Next Supper: The End of Restaurants as We Knew Them, and What Comes After.  This was definitely one of my all time favourite chats as Corey's book touches on many of the themes this podcast has aimed to cover in the past.

His book is broken down into eight distinct chapters, as each is fully fleshed out with interviews and thorough analysis. Topics range from the virtual restaurant to the chef driven affair to chains and fast food. All facets of this industry are covered with Corey giving a unique and timely perspective of where we came from, where we stand currently and where he sees us moving forward.  If you want a discussion which gets at the heart of this industry as a whole, this one is for you. Corey is candid, humble and personable. You can tell he cares and wants the best for this sector. Mad respect given for this. I'm extremely grateful I was able to do this interview. I hope you enjoy it.


**Apologies for the odd blip in audio. Can't win every Zoom call.


Scout is one of Vancouver’s leading food and culture magazines. If you’re wanting to learn more about the city’s food and cultural sphere with regards to community news, new restaurant openings, essential guides to some of the city’s best offerings as well as who’s hiring, Scout is where you should go. We’re proud to have Scout as our presenting sponsor as we believe what they “Scout out” is an excellent compliment to what we’re offering here with Track and Food. Do check them out. scoutmagazine.ca

In this episode, I’m joined by four of Vancouver’s top bar talents – Amber Bruce (The Keefer Bar, June), Tara Davies (Chupito Cocteleria), Andrew Kong (Suyo), and Alexa Gervais (L’Abattoir) — for a roundtable discussion on the state of Vancouver’s cocktail scene. With North America’s 50 Best Bars having just left town, we dive into what that meant for local hospitality, the challenges of launching new venues, evolving guest expectations, and the growing interest in nonalcoholic options. From bar design to industry trends, expect an honest and insightful look at where things are heading.

The Diamond Effect — Is Vancouver Ripe for a Cocktail Bar Revolution?

If you have questions, observations, or ideas for future episodes, email at trackandfoodpod@gmail.com 

Brought to you by Scout Magazine.


What a treat it was to finally have Adam Henderson of Superflux on. If you don't know who he is or his brand, let's just say it is one of the most respected in the province. Why? It's because 80% of what they do is IPA's and BC loves their hoppy beers. It's really that simple. Plus, I mean, how can you not love a coconut IPA? Or a strawberry cheesecake IPA?

Nevertheless, with success having come his way, you'd think he and his partner (Matt Kohlen) would just be happy with the new brewery they opened last year. Y'know, rest on their laurels. Chill out. Maybe visit Mexico?

Nope. Not the case at all.

Enter Superflux Cabana, their beautiful new restaurant in Victoria.

The room is absolutely stunning, as it was designed by the team from Studio Roslyn. It's definitely a far cry from what one would expect a beer focused restaurant to look like, which, honestly, is a good thing.

Adam and I discussed how this new project came to be, what was the process of doing something completely different like, as well as how he got into this line of work in the first place and where he sees his company moving forward.  This episode has a fun entrepreneurial bent to it as Adam distills a lot of how all of this came together, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I'm confident you will too.


Superflux is located up on Clark Drive here in Vancouver. Do check it out. They have killer swag and excellent hot dogs. Definitely try the coconut IPA if you can. It's delicious.

Superflux Cabana is now open. Burgers and great beer, what's not to love? Hit it up as soon as you can.


Here's the link to the New York Times feature we discuss.

Last Call For The Beer Bar?

Here's the link to my beer pricing column we also discuss.

A Missed Opportunity - Did The Craft Beer Industry Lose Their One Chance To Grow Their Market Share?


***Scout is one of Vancouver’s leading food and culture magazines. If you’re wanting to learn more about the city’s food and cultural sphere with regards to community news, new restaurant openings, essential guides to some of the city’s best offerings as well as who’s hiring, Scout is where you should go. They also have a sister website called Islandist. Same type of content only Island driven. That’s Islandist.ca.
We’re proud to have Scout as our presenting sponsor as we believe what they “Scout out” is an excellent compliment to what we’re offering here with Track and Food. Do check them out. scoutmagazine.ca

****Correction: I mistakenly mention that Studio Roslyn are the one's who designed Kissa Tanto in my intro, but it was actually Ste.Marie Art + Design. Apologies for the error. 

In memory of Andrew Morrison of Scout Magazine.


Well for all of you who've followed this podcast since its inception, you'll have no doubt heard me talk about Scout Magazine numerous times over the years.  Not only are they our presenting sponsor, but I've also been a contributor of theirs since 2016. This episode has a bit of a twist to it in that my friend and editor at Scout, Andrew Morrison, recently passed away from a short battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife Michelle and two sons, James and Pip. Fittingly and somewhat bittersweet, this episode is the last directive Andrew gave to me before his passing, and with a loving tone and big heart, the person I have interviewed is not only someone he admired, but also a close family friend. Cancer sucks and death at any age is never easy. Our love goes out to Michelle and the boys and their family during this time. Much love.

Now for this episode, what a delight it was to chat with Shira Blustein. She's been a prominent figurehead in the Vancouver restaurant community since the inception her acclaimed restaurant Acorn first opened. Awards, accolades and praise locally and globally have come to her and her team for the excellent food and drink they continue to provide. My co-host of this podcast,  Mickey, is even an employee now and he's really enjoyed every second being on the team. But, not to just discuss her restaurant, Shira has a new cookbook on the horizon. It's dropping at all bookstores near you on November 9th. Aptly titled: Acorn - Vegetables Re-Imagined: Seasonal Recipes from Root to Stem. With this exciting development, we discussed how this book came about, the process of getting it off the ground, what's in it and who this book is for. We also chatted about animal welfare practises and the rise of vegetarian restaurants. This a fun and really informative interview. Shira brings a wonderful candid energy. You're sure to laugh a few times as well. I hope you enjoy.


If you want delicious vegetarian or vegan fare, the kind that is impeccably creative as well as comforting, do hit up The Acorn. You will not be disappointed. Also, say hi to Mickey while you're there as well. He'll be behind the bar. Tell him you're a fan of the podcast, it'll make him blush.

Here's the link to the gofundme I mention at the top of this episode for Michelle and the kids. If you'd like to donate, that would be lovely. They've heavily exceeded their goal, which says a lot about how people viewed Andrew. Beautiful to see.


***Scout is one of Vancouver’s leading food and culture magazines. If you’re wanting to learn more about the city’s food and cultural sphere with regards to community news, new restaurant openings, essential guides to some of the city’s best offerings as well as who’s hiring, Scout is where you should go. They also have a sister website called Islandist. Same type of content only Island driven. That’s Islandist.ca.
We’re proud to have Scout as our presenting sponsor as we believe what they “Scout out” is an excellent compliment to what we’re offering here with Track and Food. Do check them out. scoutmagazine.ca

Now brought to you by Scout Magazine.

It's in the news everywhere. Restaurants are hurting for workers. This issue isn't new. It's been a problem for years now. The pandemic only exacerbated things to an even more dire state. And what better way to discuss this issue than to bring on my good friend James Iranzad of Gooseneck Hospitality as well as one of my favourite guests from this past spring, the head of the BC Restaurants Association, Ian Tostenson.

Their expertise in this area with regards to government, policy, and as a restaurant owner in James' case, real world specifics, gave them the type of working knowledge I was looking for. This conversation isn't fun per se, but needed nonetheless. Both men provide candid thoughts and views on this matter, ones I'm confident you'll definitely appreciate, regardless if you work in this industry or not.  A worker shortage in the restaurant sector affects everyone. Solving this issue, if that is possible, will take big ideas and a change in perception. With this conversation we tried to tackle a few of them. I hope you enjoy.


***This conversation leans heavily on a column I wrote in late September. To get a clearer understanding of my thoughts on this matter as to better guide you through this interview, I recommend giving it a read. It's titled: A New Reality For The Restaurant Industry.


Do check out some of James' restaurants, they're all fantastic. There's Bufala Kerrisdale, Bufala Edgemont, Bells & Whistles Fraser, Bells & Whistles Dunbar, Lucky Taco and his newest venture, Oh Carolina.

Here's a link to the BC Restaurants Association.


***Scout is one of Vancouver’s leading food and culture magazines. If you’re wanting to learn more about the city’s food and cultural sphere with regards to community news, new restaurant openings, essential guides to some of the city’s best offerings as well as who’s hiring, Scout is where you should go. They also have a sister website called Islandist. Same type of content only Island driven. That’s Islandist.ca.
We’re proud to have Scout as our presenting sponsor as we believe what they “Scout out” is an excellent compliment to what we’re offering here with Track and Food. Do check them out. scoutmagazine.ca

Now brought to you by Scout Magazine.

What a treat it was to discuss all things BC wine with this trio of professionals. Two of the more prominent and distinguished winemakers in the Okanagan Valley in Alan Dickinson of Synchromesh Winery and Richard Kanazawa of Bench 1775 Winery came on to talk about what they've been up to so far with this years harvest, navigating another long season of heat and forest fires, global warming, where they see things headed and their own personal philosophies with regards to sustainable winemaking. It was a thrilling to hear them gush about work they genuinely love and enjoy.

Then there's one of the most respected and established sommeliers in Vancouver dishing on what she's seeing in her restaurant, Annalena, but also with regards to guest preferences and how this aspect of the BC wine market is evolving. Christina Hartigan brings a wealth of experience and knowledge few have in this part of the world, it was exciting to hear her thoughts alongside Alan and Richard.

If you love wine and are curious to hear some of the best share their thoughts, this is the episode for you. Plenty of insights and behind the curtains info shared.


Synchromesh Winery is located just above Okanagan Falls. Family owned, the Dickinson's grow and source wine from various vineyards all across the Okanagan Valley. They specialize in Riesling, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc. They’re wines are delicious and they sell out fast.

Bench 1775 is located on the southern shore of Lake Okanagan. It's a stunning winery which crafts an array of delicious wines to meet anyones palate. You will not be disappointed. Do check them out.

Annalena is one of the best and most consistent restaurants in Vancouver. Located in Kitsilano, this neighbourhood joint is bustling, intimate, delicious and always a great spot to dine at. Christina's spin on their wine menu is surely not to be missed.




***Scout is one of Vancouver’s leading food and culture magazines. If you’re wanting to learn more about the city’s food and cultural sphere with regards to community news, new restaurant openings, essential guides to some of the city’s best offerings as well as who’s hiring, Scout is where you should go. They also have a sister website called Islandist. Same type of content only Island driven. That’s Islandist.ca.
We’re proud to have Scout as our presenting sponsor as we believe what they “Scout out” is an excellent compliment to what we’re offering here with Track and Food. Do check them out. scoutmagazine.ca

Now brought to you by Scout Magazine.


Marijuana was legalized in Canada just a few years back and we are certain there are not many who are upset with this. Psilocybin, the chemical altering compound found in "magic mushrooms" is still illegal. It has been since 1974. This needs to change. Enter in Spencer Hawkswell. He's the CEO of a new Victoria based non-profit called TheraPsil. He helped co-found this venture with his friend and mentor Dr. Bruce Tobin who is a psychotherapist. Together they've helped a small group of Canadians in times of need, specifically end of life treatment. In doing so they've given those individuals at this time a new medicine with which to work with, one that isn't addictive and completely natural.  The results have been life changing. But they want to help all Canadians and until Health Canada changes the law regarding the manufacture, production and use of psilocybin, their hands are limited.

Enter a few weeks ago where they submitted a 165 page proposal detailing how psilocybin should be legalized. In this interview Spencer goes through this document, how he sees this process unfolding and what psilocybin access and treatment will look like.

You can hear it in his voice, he wants to help and we appreciate his candour and empathy for this cause. We're confident you'll enjoy this one. I say we, because Mickey is back!


therapsil.ca

TheraPsil is a non-profit coalition dedicated to helping Canadians in medical need access legal, psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy to treat end-of-life distress.

TheraPsil was formed in 2019 and is made up of healthcare professionals, patients, community members, and advocates. To meet our team, click here.

After over 100 days of advocating, TheraPsil facilitated precedent-setting and tangible progress in the fight for compassionate access to psilocybin therapy when it helped 4 Canadians suffering from end-of-life distress, due to a terminal illness, access approved 'section 56 exemptions' from the Minister of Health, on August 4th 2020. This was the first time section 56 exemptions for psilocybin had been approved for patients since psilocybin was made a controlled substance in 1974, in Canada.

As of March 2021, TheraPsil has now supported 27 patients in 5 different provinces access legal, psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.



***Scout is one of Vancouver’s leading food and culture magazines. If you’re wanting to learn more about the city’s food and cultural sphere with regards to community news, new restaurant openings, essential guides to some of the city’s best offerings as well as who’s hiring, Scout is where you should go. They also have a sister website called Islandist. Same type of content only Island driven. That’s Islandist.ca.
We’re proud to have Scout as our presenting sponsor as we believe what they “Scout out” is an excellent compliment to what we’re offering here with Track and Food. Do check them out. scoutmagazine.ca

Now brought to you by Scout Magazine.

Well this was a fun one. 

James Grant, the newly crowned 2021 World Class Global Bartender Of The Year and his good friend and mentor, Jeff Savage, who himself came second at the 2019 World Class Global Finals distill at length their passion and adoration for what they do for a living and why they continue to pursue careers in this fickle industry. Essentially, they share a common ethos, a love of people.  Their words ring true and genuine in this conversation and it is wonderful to hear them dispense of their processes, secrets, pet peeves and common goals. You'll definitely gain plenty of insight throughout and most certainly a laugh or two.

Hospitality isn't for everyone, but when you encounter and get to talk with those who truly love being apart of it, it is inspiring. Most people spend their lives searching for that one thing they really enjoy doing, and from those, only a select few get to do it for a living. These two fine men have achieved both so I hope you enjoy what they have to say.  I know I certainly did.



You can find James Grant behind his bar Little Hong Kong (the bar inside the bar Baijiu) in Edmonton on Fridays and Saturdays. Go find him and get him to make you something special. Preferably stirred.

You can find Jeff Savage behind his bar, Botanist, on the second floor of The Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel in Vancouver. He's there Wednesday thru Saturday evenings. He leads with impeccable service and his drinks are second to none. Go say hello and get cozy. You won't be disappointed.


***Scout is one of Vancouver’s leading food and culture magazines. If you’re wanting to learn more about the city’s food and cultural sphere with regards to community news, new restaurant openings, essential guides to some of the city’s best offerings as well as who’s hiring, Scout is where you should go. They also have a sister website called Islandist. Same type of content only Island driven. That’s Islandist.ca.
We’re proud to have Scout as our presenting sponsor as we believe what they “Scout out” is an excellent compliment to what we’re offering here with Track and Food. Do check them out. scoutmagazine.ca