Each week we profile a different Canadian Food Blogger who is part of the FBC community. This week we meet Sabrina, the Vancouver Island blogger behind West Coast Kitchen Garden and the recently launched West Coast Kitchen Garden shop that features homewares inspired by Canada's west coast.
Name: Sabrina Currie
Blog name: West Coast Kitchen Garden
Where were you born? Alert Bay, BC
Where are you living now? Campbell River, BC
Why did you start your blog?
I started my blog as a creative outlet, a way to get back into the food world after years of working in healthcare. My first program out of high school was culinary arts and I loved it. I worked at it until I became a mother but found that between the poor pay and inconvenient hours, it wasn’t practical for that time of my life. I retrained and worked in the hospital lab and am now in a clerical coordinator position that offered me work during school hours. I love my day job now but I always knew one way or the other, I’d get back to food somehow!
How did you decide on your blog name?
After removing my front lawn to build a potager (kitchen garden) I felt continously inspired to cook from it and find foods I could grow all year in it. We are lucky to have a mild climate here on the West Coast so that growing year round is possible and so I put the two together. I used the term kitchen garden as I wasn’t sure many people would know what a potager was.
What do you blog about?
Seasonal, whole food recipes that are easy for anyone to cook. I use local West Coast and Canadian foods as my main ingredients.
Is your blog your business, your hobby or something in between?
It started purely as a hobby but I am now somewhere in between. I have just started a shop of West Coast inspired homewares on my site too.
What post on your blog most encapsulates you and why?
That’s a tough one but I will say my Wild Mushroom Risotto post. I love foraging, it is such a gift from nature. The dish is easy, elegant and inexpensive and the post encourages readers to get out and try picking their own mushrooms.
My second choice would be one of my zucchini recipes because it is so easy to grow, I’m on a mission to convert people to loving that prolific vegetable!
Which post do you wish received more love and why?
My apple beignets! I think people might be daunted but this is a truly easy recipe! The French Version of Apple Fritters, these are one of my favourite fall treats.
Which post’s success surprised you and why?
My Miso Baked Oysters, just because it seemed rather specific and I know many people who don’t love oysters. They are again really easy and packed with tangy umami flavour.
What’s your biggest challenge as a blogger?
Finding the time. I have way more ideas than I ever have time for.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned as a blogger?
It takes time and consistency and you have to love it to stick with it. Seasoned bloggers had warned or informed me and others of this and it’s totally true.
What has been your biggest success as a blogger so far?
Being asked to write and photograph regularly for Edible Vancouver Island Magazine.
Share a couple of your favourite food blogs to read. Why do you like them?
The Simple Green: I adore Heidi Richters minimalist style in both photography and recipes.
Seasons & Serve: I love Melissa’s Asian inspired recipes and her great way of explaining things. I envy her confidence in getting in front of the camera too.
I also love Jessica at Mushrooms & Thyme and Betty at Stems and Forks for their absolutely stunning photography.
Editor's Note: Be sure to read our profiles of The Simple Green, Mushrooms and Thyme and Stems and Forks.
Favourite food - care to share a recipe or a restaurant destination?
I’m a sushi girl. My favourite local sushi place is www.wasabiyasushicafe.com and I have a Chirashi sushi bowl recipe that is awesome and easy if staying in.
What are you working on next for your blog?
I’m currently still photographing and adding my shop items. My apple tree is loaded so you can expect an apple recipe soon too.
What else should we know about you that may or not be in your “About Me” page?
I come from a fishing family and always choose wild fish over farmed if possible.
What makes your blog unique?
Always fresh, real food ingredients with a focus on growing your own in whatever capacity you are able and/or supporting local farms and farmer’s markets.
How do you cultivate a sense of community around your blog?
I try hard to shout out my favourite local producers, growers and suppliers. I also try to encourage gardening even if that is just in a few patio pots and if you ask me a gardening question, you will probably get more answer than you bargained for!
What part of the FBC site do you find most useful?
I love the How-to articles and SEO info. My weakest link is definitely the tech side so I read all the help I can find.
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So nice to meet you Sabrina.😉 I really enjoyed these insights into your blog and garden and recipes. I’m so proud of you and am loving seeing where your passion is taking you. Xo mom