The Okanagan Food and Wine Writers' Workshop was a solid success

Writer and author Jennifer Cockrall-King once again pulls off a successful writers' workshop.

If you ever have the desire to feel like royalty then the Okanagan Food and Wine Writers' Workshop is for you. We dined on the best of local food, we drank of the best local wines and all the locals call this region 'paradise'.

Writer and author Jennifer Cockrall-King once again pulled off a successful writers' workshop in the heart of the Okanagan wine and farming region. 26 participants from across the country spent an intensive couple of days learning, experiencing and networking. Don't mind that we usually have a glass of wine in our hand. Sometimes, I am told, they even drink wine after breakfast in the Okanagan.

The speakers were first rate. Not only did we learn and enjoy their presentations but they were with us throughout the entire time always willingly sharing their knowledge. This alone makes the workshop unique among all the professional development conferences I have attended.

At the end of the workshop I went away feeling like I know Anita Stewart. I didn't just listen but we exchanged ideas in conversation. How special is that?

Anita's fast paced presentation left me with a sense of pride in our Canadian food culture. My seat mate on my return flight questioned that. "Is there really a unique Canadian food culture?" Why do we need one and only one food that is quintessentially Canadian? We accept regionality in other countries. Italy is the prefect example. We are a lot like Italy. Our food is very regional and it should be no surprise that cod cheeks are mainly available in Newfoundland. To choose one food that represents the country is not realistic.

Rosalyn Buchanan was a participant and a presenter. Her wealth of knowledge in tapping into social media was welcomed as writers are finding it more and more difficult to snag well paying assignments. I don't know anyone who knows more about the food and drink scene in the Okanagan than Roz. She is a regular contributor to Savour magazine and many other BC lifestyle publications.

An animated Noelle Chorney chatting with Neal McLennan

Neal McLennan, food and travel editor at Western Living magazine, drinks writer at Vancouver magazine and frequent contributor to enRoute, share his best advice on pitching your stories to editors.

Julie van Rosendahl, of cookbook writing fame, was also a participant and a presenter. Loved her tips on food photography and food styling!

What else did we do?

WE VISITED FARMS ...

Buds about to open on grape vines at Summer Gate Vineyards and Winery.

Orchard tour at Paynter Markets.

Jennay Oliver taking us on a tour of her family's orchard.

Apple blossoms at Paynter's Fruit Market.

Function Junction orchard and produce stand in Kelowna.

WE VISITED WINERIES.

The Crush Pad uses concrete barrels for fermenting and aging their wine.

At the Crush Pad with Mike West pouring their own label Haywire.

Sumac Ridge with their Black Sage Vineyard products.

Summer Gate estate winery.

Summerland Fruits now has a fruit winery.

Dirty Laundry Vineyard has a very interesting history!

WE ATE!

WE MET CHEFS ...

Sorry about the flash! Mark Filatow receiving an award from Anita Stewart.

Matt Batey receiving an award from Anita Stewart.

Chef Matt Batey prepares lunch sponsored by B.C. Tree Fruits.

The Cove Resort's own Chef Grant de Montreuil.

Chef In Stead Martin LaPrise preparing our dinner at his Rabbit Hollow.

Chef Lee Humphries from Local Lounge Grille in Summerland.

WE DRANK WINE, SPIRITS & CIDER, TOO ...

How did I get those two perfect starbursts?

WE NETWORKED ...

Karen Anderson and Rosalyn Buchanan.

AND WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE ANY OF THIS WITHOUT THESE AMAZING PEOPLE ...

Catherine Frechette with Tourism Kelowna welcoming all to the workshop.

Our tour company Distinctly Kelowna Tours.

All the amazing people in the service industry that made our stay so much better.

AND WHAT DID WE THINK? THIS ABOUT SAYS IT ALL.