Things to do in Vancouver: Roots – Farm, Food & Family Long Table Dinner

Welcome | Roots – Farm, Food & Family Long Table Dinner

After being picked up in Vancouver’s Olympic Village in a chauffeur driven van, we arrived in Abbotsford at the Bakerview EcoDairy demonstration farm owned by Halinda and Bill and run by Farmer Pete; showcasing innovative and sustainable dairy farming practices.

Table setting | Roots – Farm, Food & Family Long Table Dinner

After receiving a wonderful welcome and some refreshing Sparkling Raspberry Lemonade we were given a private tour of the dairy farm, complete with cow brush and robotic milker. It was fascinating to go through the whole process; a happy cow produces amazing milk, or white gold, as Farmer Pete would say.

Cows at the farm | Roots – Farm, Food & Family Long Table Dinner

The tour has interactive displays to engage and garner interest, a quick walk through the barn and an in depth look at the robotic milking machine in action through a glass wall.

Bon Vivant’s Dino Renaerts and Nessa Van Bergen were providing sparkling wine and cheddar gougère upon arrival, and we sat down to a beautifully set table with elegant, yet rustic place settings.

Elegant, rustic setting | Roots – Farm, Food & Family Long Table Dinner

Our first course was a 63 degree Vita D Egg, with sauteed chanterelles and bitter greens. I had never had a 63 degree egg…it was really quite amazing to watch Dino crack open these perfectly cooked eggs. Great farm salad!

Salad | Roots – Farm, Food & Family Long Table Dinner

Second course; ricotta & fresh herb tortellini, lemon beurre blanc, dungeness crab, side stripe shrimp, trout caviar. This course was served family-style in large porcelain platters.

Pasta | Roots – Farm, Food & Family Long Table Dinner

Our main dish was had French served by Chef Dino himself. Grilled local chicken, cedar planked salmon.

Salmon | Roots – Farm, Food & Family Long Table Dinner | Photo courtesy of Tanya Goehring at Post Photography

Roasted summer harvest vegetables, roasted beets and Nicola potatoes.

More tasty dishes | Roots – Farm, Food & Family Long Table Dinner

There is something special about having a blueberry and blackberry cobbler in a mason jar served with fresh brewed coffee in vintage fine bone china.

Tea and coffee to conclude our Roots Long Table Dinner

The van drove us back to Vancouver. It was a quiet and sleepy ride for most in the car. The thank-you goodie bag was filled with Vitala products including eggs and happy cow milk.  This was undoubtedly the best milk my family has ever tasted and we are now always buying Vita D organic eggs.

 See more photos on Vitala Foods’ blog.