Eating Local in the Fraser Valley: A Food-Lover's Guide, Featuring Over 70 Recipes from Farmers, Producers, and Chefs: A Cookbook - Softcover

ANGIE QUAALE is a Fraser Valley community champion. She is the owner of Well Seasoned, a gourmet food store and event destination for the area, as well as being an Elected Councilor in the Township of Langley. Angie is also an award-winning BBQ cook. In the past, she has served her community as President of the BC chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier, Board Member of the Pacific Northwest BBQ Association, President of the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce, Chair of Tourism Langley, and Chair and founding board member of the Langley Community Farmers Market. She lives in the Township of Langley with her other half, David, and never plans to live anywhere else.

In southwestern BC, tucked between Vancouver and Hope and just north of the US border, is a gem of an area called the Fraser Valley. The geographical definition of the region is a little fluid—you’ll find that many locals have their own ideas about where the boundaries lie—but “my” Fraser Valley includes the areas of (from west to east) Surrey, Langley, Abbotsford, and Chilliwack, with Mission, Pitt Meadows, and Maple Ridge to the north. Those are not the official boundaries, but that is my definition for the purposes of this book.

The Fraser Valley is an incredibly beautiful, diverse, and constantly changing region—and it’s popular too. It’s one of the most rapidly growing regions in Canada, with about 3 million people currently calling it home. Yet despite the number of residents, there’s a sense of freedom and space. That might be due to the combination of rural and urban areas that exist happily side by side. All I know is that it works.

The very best way to experience the Fraser Valley is in person, often. It’s a place you need to visit, explore, and discover—and the good news is that doing that might be some of the best time you have ever spent. Each season has its own distinct flavor and feel—buzzing bees and the scent of spring flowers signal that winter is finally over; the unmistakable smell of freshly cut grass lingers in the background during lazy days at the lake, afternoon BBQs by the river, and long, warm summer nights; crisp fall breezes nudge you along during trips to the pumpkin patch and to farmers markets to shop for root vegetables; and occasional snowstorms set the scene for snowshoeing trips followed by homemade hot chocolate and a delicious bowl of soup to take off the chill. There are great reasons to visit quite literally every day. The hardest part will be deciding how long you can stay! Take a day trip, spend the weekend, or spend a week—there is always plenty to do.