Our friends at Tourism Vancouver have released a new destination iPad app designed to be an inspirational trip-planning tool and travel companion for visitors from around the world.

The Visit Vancouver app – available for free download from Apple’s iTunes store – is interactive, fun to use, and developed to take full advantage of the iPad platform by showcasing bold video and imagery that inspires travel to Vancouver.

The app includes information on dining, accommodations, activities, transportation, events, and weather. It also allows users to take photo tours of the city, book hotels, peruse online videos, read travel articles, bookmark and share “Favorites,” and search a continually updated calendar of Vancouver events and festivals.

Visit Vancouver is differentiated from other city travel apps in that it is free of advertising and was designed to provide optimized experiences both online and offline. Users who don’t have a wireless internet connection, or who are concerned about data-roaming costs while traveling, will find that the majority of content is available offline.

In addition to this new app, Tourism Vancouver already has a strong online-marketing program that includes the award-winning Inside Vancouver blog, an active social-media presence, and the Vancouver Specialist Program (an online travel-agent training tool). And, the organization will soon launch a mobile website.

Sooke Harbour House

Our friends Sinclair and Frederique Philip, co-owners of Sooke Harbour House on Vancouver Island, have been raking in an impressive number of awards lately. And as always, they are very well deserved.

Sinclair and Frederique Philip

According to a press release, “This year Travel and Leisure Magazine Readers’ Poll has dedicated a category exclusively to Canadian properties for their World’s Best Awards. In the last decade Sooke Harbour House has been rated close to the top several times in this poll for continental North America.

“Today, Travel and Leisure has recognized Sooke Harbour House as Canada’s #2 best resort for 2012, and on its list as one of the World’s Best Hotels and Resorts. This recognition comes with a ‘budget’ annotation signifying that the resort offers rooms under $250. Vancouver Island was selected as their best island travel destination.”

In a previous edition, Travel and Leisure Magazine described the 28-room Sooke Harbour House as a “charming clapboard inn overlooking a dramatic Pacific beach and the Olympic Mountains, 45 minutes from Victoria.” The cutting edge, as stated in the T+L 500, is the “inventive Pacific Northwest cuisine that has made this a legendary food and wine destination.” Two of the highlights mentioned were “bald eagle-spotting on the nearby protected Whiffen Spit” and the “Blue Heron Room, for its large balcony and panoramic ocean views.”

You may remember that I profiled Sinclair and Frederique in “Pacific Northwest Wining and Dining: The People, Places, Food, and Drink of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and British Columbia,” and included their recipe for Coriander-Crusted Albacore Tuna with Spicy Buckwheat Noodle Salad in the book.

Sooke Harbour House also took home two awards at Taste: Victoria’s Festival of Food and Wine. The Best Showcase of Island Wines award recognizes the wine list that best showcases the wines of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. It has a diversity of producers, styles, and price points – and innovative pairing with the restaurant’s menu.

Sooke also won for Best Overall Wine Program thanks to its wine list, which “offers a fabulous selection of quality producers that complements the menu in price, size, and style. The wine program is innovative and promotes wine knowledge and appreciation through by-the-glass offerings, seasonal features, and special tastings and events.”

Congratulations to the Philips on all these coveted awards.

Isn’t it time we all planned a trip to our neighbor to the north (British Columbia and Vancouver Island) and, specifically, Sooke Harbour House?

Our friends Penny and Will Durant, owners of Red Ridge Farms, Oregon Olive Mill, and Durant Vineyards in the Willamette Valley, are planning an after-hours paella party on Sunday, August 19, that promises to be an extraordinary event.

You may remember the Durants, who were profiled in my seventh book, “Pacific Northwest Wining & Dining: The People, Places, Food, and Drink of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and British Columbia.” Their products have also been featured in Food & Wine magazine, O magazine, and EveryDay with Rachael Ray.

And who could forget the tasty recipe they submitted for my book, Garden-Fresh Gazpacho with Garlic Croutons, that would be perfect to make this time of the year?

During the couple’s first-ever paella party, which takes place on August 19, from 5 to 8 p.m., guests will enjoy authentic Spanish tapas and traditional paella prepared onsite by chef Scott Ketterman of Crown Paella.

Founded in the fall of 2011 by husband and wife team Scott and Emily Ketterman, Crown Paella is an event company focused on traditional Spanish cooking that specializes in giant paella and tapas. Ketterman will prepare a lively outdoor meal on special cookware imported from Spain and utilize fresh, local ingredients including Oregon Olive Mill’s Arebequina olive oil.

Guests can wander through the extensive Red Ridge gardens and take in valley views from the new tasting room as they nibble on tapas and paella.

For dessert, guests will enjoy Salt & Straw’s Arbequina Olive Oil ice cream made with Oregon Olive Mill olive oil, which was featured in the April issue of O Magazine as one of their favorite new ice creams.

Durant Vineyards Estate Wines will be available for purchase by the bottle or glass.

Tickets are $35 per person or $30 for Red Ridge club members. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (503) 864-8502.

On the menu:

Tapas

Blistered Padrón Peppers with Oregon Olive Mill Arbequina Olive Oil and Sea Salt

Heirloom Tomato Tarta with Moroccan Olives, Basil, and Manchego

Lamb Meatballs in Romesco

Paella

Crown Royale Paella: Rabbit, Mussels, Clams, Prawns, Chorizo, Saffron, Piquillo Peppers, and Sofrito

Verdura Paella: Artichoke Hearts, Sweet Peppers, Foraged Mushrooms, Green Beans, Saffron, Garrafón Beans, Sofrito, and Fresh Herbs

Vino (Durant Vineyards Estate Wines)

2011 Pinot Gris $6/ glass $18/ bottle

2010 Chardonnay $7/ glass $25/ bottle

2009 Pinot Noir $9/ glass $28-$35/bottle

El Postre (Dessert)

Salt & Straw’s Arbequina Olive Oil Ice Cream: As the ice cream melts and the rich and spicy Arbequina Olive Oil settles on the palate, the spiciness of the oil, sweetness of the cream and faint hints of salt all contribute to a complex flavor experience.

Olé!

There’s nothing like a good tour to get the travel juices flowing.

And food- and fine beverage-loving visitors to Vancouver have it better than ever, thanks to a plethora of tours that offer a “taste” of this glorious city.

Whether you prefer to tour and taste under the guidance of a professional chef or catch and cook your own meal, Vancouver’s diverse array of culinary tours offers something for everyone.

• Experience Vancouver’s world-renowned street-food scene on the Tour Guys’ Eat Your Cart Out Tour. Sample tasty bites like southern pulled pork barbecue, Japanese-inspired hot dogs, pan-Asian tapas and more. The two hour tour costs $35 per person (plus tax).

• Don your headset for Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts’ “Plugged In” Market Tour of Granville Island. Led by a chef-instructor, guests explore and taste what’s been grown, fished, and cooked fresh in this bustling public marketplace. Participants learn historical tidbits and recipe tips along the way. The 1.5-hour tour costs $40 per person (plus tax).

• Taste your way through Vancouver’s Chinatown neighborhood – the third largest in North America – with Edible Canada’s Chinatown Tour. During this two-hour tour, guests learn about the neighborhood’s rich history, while sampling authentic eats like barbeque meats, exotic fruits, teas, and baked goods. Tour costs $40 (plus tax). Add on a mouthwatering dim sum lunch for an additional $25 (plus tax).

• Thirsty? Explore Gastown’s explosive craft-beer scene on the Gastown Craft Beer ‘n Bites Tour, hosted by Vancouver Food Tour. Led by a passionate beer educator, the tour allows beer aficionados to enjoy tastings at four destinations – each offering a unique aspect of beer – along with tasty, hand-picked food pairings. The three-hour tour costs $75 (per person).

• Swallow Tail Tours’ Catch and Cook Crab Tour is the perfect option for those who want to catch their own dinner. Led by a fishing guide and chef, guests learn how to catch and cook Dungeness crab and are rewarded afterward with a mouthwatering beachside lunch. The three-hour tour costs $139 (plus tax).

• Tantalize your taste buds on Taste Vancouver Food Tours’ Gastown Tour. Led by “Gassy Jack,” guests learn about the history and culture of this historic neighborhood while visiting 10 of Gassy’s favourite eateries. Highlights include lobster mac-and-cheese, West Coast crab cakes, pulled pork, and more. The two-hour tour costs $39 (plus tax).

• Taste your way through Vancouver’s diverse neighborhoods by bike with Cycle City Tours’ Food Tour. Highlights include tasty eats and historical tidbits in neighborhoods such as Granville Island, Yaletown, Chinatown, Gastown, and Coal Harbour. The four-hour tour costs $99 per person.

• Experience five of downtown Vancouver’s popular eateries with Vancouver Foodie Tours’ Guilty Pleasures Gourmet Tour. Led by a passionate foodie, the tour includes gourmet tastings accompanied by wine, beer, and sake pairings. The three-hour tour costs $69 (plus tax).

A Touch of Europe Bed & Breakfast and Fine Dining Establishment in the Yakima Valley 

Ever dreamed of owning and operating a bed-and-breakfast inn?

Our friends Erika and Jim Cenci are approaching retirement. And just last week they sent me an email with details of their gorgeous property–an historic bed-and-breakfast inn and restaurant located in the heart of downtown Yakima’s Mansion District–that they have put up for sale.

You may remember the Cencis, as they are prominently featured in my book, “Pacific Northwest Wining & Dining: The People, Places, Food, and Drink of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and British Columbia.” (PNWD).

I adored Erika’s recipe for Chilled Yellow Watermelon Soup with Dungeness Crab and Watercress Coulis when I dined at the inn while doing research for PNWD, and reprinted in in my book.

And I enjoyed writing a profile of A Touch of Europe Bed & Breakfast and Fine Dining Establishment. This property dates back to 1889, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Erika and Jim have operated the property since 1995.

In their email, they said, “It is hard to believe that we now have entered our 18th year as a successful B&B in Yakima. And, with our ages nearing 75, it verifies that time really does fly by quickly. So now we’re looking forward to moving on, perhaps to Arizona.”

The Cencis will continue to operate their business as usual until they find a suitable buyer. The buyer can purchase it for use in the following three ways: as a turn-key, active, fully furnished/equipped-throughout bed-and-breakfast inn; as a vacation rental; or as an unfurnished residence (some furnishings could possibly stay if sold as a residence).

If this sounds like your dream come true, please contact the Cencis for further information and/or a tour of the property at:

1-509-454-9775/888-438-7073 or atoeurope@msn.com.

Brennon Leighton, Efesté winemaker at The Last Salmon Dinner at Blueacre Seafood

On July 11, Spencer and I were lucky enough to attend a dinner that every Northwestern resident–heck, every American–should know about.

Held at Blueacre Seafood in downtown Seattle, The Last Salmon Dinner was hosted by chef/owner Kevin Davis and his wife and owner Terresa Davis. The couple’s aim, in addition to feeding a five-course, salmon-centric meal to an enthusiastic crowd of 70 people, was to expose the proposal by Pebble Limited Partnership, a consortium of the world’s second largest multinational mining corporation, to build an open-pit mining complex at the headwaters of Bristol Bay, one of our nation’s last great salmon fisheries.

The proposed mine will span 20 square miles, with containment ponds that will hold between 2.5-billion and 10-billion tons of toxic mine waste.

Needless to say, the environmental impact of the proposed Pebble Mine on the surrounding waters of Bristol Bay would be immeasurable, and irreversible.

So much so that chef Davis, a life-long fisher, posed the question: Will the last wild salmon to leave Bristol Bay please remember to turn off the lights?

Efesté (pronounced F-S-T), was the wine partner, and winemaker Brennon Leighton said he was honored when chef Davis chose his wines to represent this event.

But the dinner was not all environmental hand-wringing and finger-pointing. Chef Davis outdid himself with cooking and presenting Bristol Bay salmon at its finest.

Chef Davis’s Assorted Delicacies of The Sea included crispy smelt, albacore tuna poke, chilled oysters, and geoduck ceviche, paired with Efeste Feral 2011 Sauvignon Blanc. This wine is special because it’s fermented using native, wild yeast–no commercial yeast is added–then it’s aged in two-year-old French Oak barrels.

I’ve rarely had such a creative (and beautiful) rendition of gravlax as Davis’s Horseradish-Cured Bristol Bay Sockeye Salmon with lovage salad (its lively notes of anise reminded me of fresh shiso leaf), pickled rhubarb, baby yellow and pink beets, and Austrian pumpkin seed oil paired with Lola 2010 Chardonnay, made from 100% Chardonnay and also fermented with native yeast and (refreshingly) not heavily oaked.

A zippy cup of Rainier Cherry Gazpacho with balsamic croutons, lavender goat cheese, and a flurry of edible flowers made a perfect (summery!) pairing with Babbitt 2011 Rosé, made from 71% Syrah and 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, and normally available only at the winery.

A Roulade of Bristol Bay Salmon, morel mushrooms, summer truffles, and sauce cardinal was a mellifluous melding of earth and ocean. It went “swimmingly” with Ceidleigh (pronounced Kay-Lee) 2009 Syrah, a rich, ripe Syrah rife with dried cherries and plum notes.

Vanilla Pound Cake with the season’s best Skagit Valley strawberries and raspberries, mint syrup, and house-made “cool whip” pulled up the rear in grand style.

I left with pages of notes and much to think about, both in regards to the proposed Pebble Limited Partnership Mine, Davis’s culinary prowess with prized Bristol Bay salmon, and winemaker Leighton’s outstanding wine pairings.

Even if you weren’t able to attend The Last Salmon Dinner, YOU CAN HELP!

Write to your local congressman to STOP the building of the Pebble Mine at the mouth of Bristol Bay. And visit the Save Bristol Bay and Bristol Bay Sockeye websites for more information.

Wining and dining along the Olympic Peninsula is a rewarding adventure

Do you remember the stage play or movie, “A Trip to Bountiful,” which was based on the 1953 televised play by Albert Horton Foote, Jr.? It was about an elderly woman who yearns to return to her roots in the small town of Bountiful, Texas.

A recent press release reminded me of the movie version I saw years ago starring Geraldine Page, and pitched “a new kind of ‘trip to bountiful'”–the Olympic Culinary Adventure.

Winding through four Olympic Peninsula counties, the Olympic Culinary Adventure route leads foodies on “a trip to bountiful” in the true sense of the word–to a region alive with farms, produce stands, fisheries, creameries, bakeries, wineries, cideries, and authentic farm-to-table experiences.

I’ve written about my experiences wining and dining on the Olympic Peninsula for The Seattle Times Pacific Northwest magazine, for the Northwest Notes blog, and profiled Camaraderie Cellars in Pacific Northwest Wining & Dining.

So I heartily recommend a visit to this unique region of Washington state. And with the weather warming (we hope–enough of “June-uary already!”) as we head into summer, now is a great time to take your taste buds on tour!

With a rich Native-American heritage, pioneering farm families, and a new group of young farmers putting down roots, the Olympic Peninsula is a fascinating area to explore.

The cuisine reflects the diverse microclimates, coastal proximity, and history of the region. Farm-to-table experiences are everywhere offering sustainable locally-grown and foraged fruits, vegetables, herbs and berries; the freshest local seafood; artisan cheeses and breads; and handcrafted wines, beers, and hard ciders.

Each of 30 destinations along the self-guided Olympic Culinary Adventure tour route — from the Hama Hama Seafood Store in Lilliwaup to Finnriver Farm & Cidery in Chimacum; Mt. Townsend Creamery in Port Townsend to the Alder Wood Bistro in Sequim; Harbinger Winery & Brew House in Port Angeles to the Olympic Peninsula Dining Room at historic Lake Crescent Lodge; and the Creekside Restaurant at Kalaloch Lodge to the Grays Harbor Farmers Market — offers a true “sense of place.”

Travelers can talk to producers and find out how they make their cheeses, wines, and other food products or ask a chef who creates delicious dishes from locally sourced ingredients about what’s in season. Stopping at a local festival while en route, such as Sequim’s upcoming Lavender Weekend, July 20-22, is an opportunity to learn about the history and heritage of the area.

The Olympic Peninsula is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean, on the east by the Hood Canal, on the north by the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and is anchored by the Olympic Mountains. There is no other place in America that matches the diversity in terrain and weather in such a compact physical area. You’ll find lakes, waterfalls, rivers, valleys, mountains, beaches, and rainforest.

Exploring the Olympic Culinary Adventure route in several trips ensures the opportunity to enjoy a variety of foods in season, to try different kinds of outdoor excursions, to experience seasonal events and activities, and to absorb the natural scenic beauty in different light.

Download your Olympic Culinary Adventure route map and get started on your own trip to bountiful!

Photo courtesy of the Olympic Culinary Loop Association

Travelers arranging their summer vacations have a new set of digital tools to make planning an Oregon getaway easier, according to a recent press release from the Oregon Tourism Commission (dba Travel Oregon).

Visitors can now access Travel Oregon’s new social-enabled website, online help, and trip planner, and/or enter to win an Oregon adventure.

“Knowing that online travel planning can be overwhelming, we combined the latest technology with an old-school human touch to meet our consumers’ evolving needs,” said Mo Sherifdeen, Travel Oregon Director of Integrated Marketing and Publishing. “By combining our digital offerings –tourism listings from partners, inspirational stories and videos, suggested itineraries–and adding ratings and blog posts from locals, we made it so travelers can count on personalized, inspirational and informative content to help them during every stage of the trip planning process.”

With a goal to be the trusted and authentic resource for exploring Oregon, Travel Oregon developed a digital platform that offers trip inspiration as well as on-the-go information for those already traveling in the state. Features include:

•Curated, collaborative, and integrated content: Research shows that website users are looking for inspirational material like videos, story-based narratives and itineraries, as well as trip-planning tools like hotel and restaurant listings.

The new TravelOregon.com groups this information, developed in partnership with community experts throughout the state, into user-friendly views based on travelers’ interests, whether that’s an activity like golf or  bird watching, or a town such as Bend.

•Tailored advice: In response to consumer demand for genuine personal advice, Travel Oregon incorporated Trip Advisor reviews, added the ability for visitors to rate Oregon places, and developed the “Ask Oregon” ambassador program. Volunteer ambassadors are passionate Oregonians who have deep knowledge about relevant destinations and/or niche activities like cycling, family travel, and wine. To receive personalized, unbiased recommendations, visitors can easily contact the Ask Oregon ambassadors by tagging questions with #AskOR on Twitter, inquiring on the Travel Oregon Facebook page (Facebook.com/TravelOregon), or posting a question on TravelOregon.com.

•Social media: Travel Oregon continues to integrate its content with popular social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Visitors can inspire friends, plan trips together, and engage with others for travel recommendations. Until June 17, thrill-seeking travelers can log on to Facebook.com/TravelOregon to create their own “Oregon Bucket List,” enter to win an Adventurecation in Oregon, and see which of their friends’ adventurous affinities best matches theirs.

•Responsive design: The new TravelOregon.com displays on any device, so it’s easy to read and navigate on the road or at home. Whether it’s displayed on a computer, smartphone, or tablet screen, the layout evolves to give readers an easy and efficient way to find the content they care about. Location-based information allows visitors to find nearby attractions while on their trip.

•Robust search: Smart search functionality returns options that build on users’ interests, helping travelers round out itineraries with ideas they may not have considered in addition to their specific query results. A search on an experience– for example, cycling, fly fishing, or wine tasting–results in a combination of stories, blog posts, events, suggested itineraries, outfitters, retail establishments, deals, and answers to questions asked by others, all in one place. Additionally, the search bar auto-suggests other terms as the user types, making it easier to explore the vast wealth of material on the site.

“We’re using technology and the digital medium to bring the Oregon story to life,” noted Sherifdeen.

Photograph Courtesy of Spencer Johnson

I’ve written a lot about  Victoria, British Columbia, The Fairmont Empress Hotel, and our favorite restaurants there, both for this Northwest Notes blog and in my NW Edge column for Wine Press Northwest, because it’s simply one of the most fun-to-visit cities in the entire Pacific Northwest.

Now it’s time to give a “hip, hip, hooray” to Victoria as the grand old Dame celebrates her 150th anniversary!

As you might expect, there are lots of events and activities planned to help Victoria–a city that’s such a delightful blend of Old-World charm and New-World experiences–celebrate such a happy and important milestone.

Here are some tips touted in a recent press release sent out by our friends at Tourism British Columbia. There’s also a complete list of 150-anniversary events on the Tourism Victoria website.

Eat and Drink: This is a city of food fests, and yearly gatherings, including Taste: Victoria’s Festival of Food and Wine, prove delectable showcases for local nibbles and vintage pours. On the flip side, street eats are no less appealing, thanks to tasty fish tacones and crispy tempura pickles at Red Fish Blue Fish and spicy prawns and Baja-style fish tacos at Puerto Vallarta Amigos.

Taking Tea: For classic pours, Victoria is the place to take tea. While teahouses are sprinkled throughout the city’s neighbourhoods, an iconic cuppa is a certainty paired with signature scones and sweet treats in The Fairmont Empress’s own tea lobby. For something a tad bit stronger, savour a classic tea cocktail on the Empress veranda, cool your heels over a cold one at Canada’s oldest brewpub, Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub, or take it a little bit further afield for premier gin sips at Victoria Spirits and robust apple pours at Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse.

Sleeping Well: Sweet slumber is your reward after a day’s celebration. Start with cosy quarters at Fairholme Manor and count sheep in one of six elegantly appointed rooms. For an even bigger suite selection, the Inn at Laurel Point promises waterfront views and luxurious Silk Road amenities, while the grand, yet-to-be-unveiled Oak Bay Beach Hotel, near Oak Bay Village, has locals and visitors alike counting the sleeps until its summer debut. Back at the harbour, The Fairmont Empress beckons with an overnight that is at once thoroughly modern and distinctly reminiscent of the city’s historic beginnings. Like Victoria itself.

Getting Around: Hop along the harbour and let an H20 Taxi take you there; call ahead and these alternative-transport captains will pick you up. For land-locked travel, choose instead to wander through Canada’s oldest Chinatown, peeking in at quaint Fan Tan Alley shops or stopping for a sip of Dragon Tears green or the limited-edition Victoria 150 Tribute Tea at Silk Road’s Tasting Bar.

Perky Performances: This summer season is sure to be a blast — from a performance point of view. Actors, acrobats and all-around entertainers will bring their best during the Victoria International Buskers Festival, while the annual Victoria Symphony Splash, with its orchestra suspended on a floating barge in the Inner Harbour, will have you swaying to the sweet sounds of Sondheim. If birthday bashes are more your style, there are plenty of 150th-themed festivities on the roster throughout the year: 57, to be exact.

Walk the Walk: Beyond the celebration, you can take to the streets in this infinitely walkable city, and duck into Victoria’s nooks and crannies with Discover the Past’s guided historical tours. Wanna go it alone? Explore neighbourhoods under your own steam and wander through favourites that include the newly revitalized Cook Street Village, a tantalizing must-visit for foodies, and Lower Johnson Street (LoJo, to the locals), a stretch of cute cubbies and savvy shops boasting local, independent designers.

It’s once again time to celebrate the season–and Father’s Day weekend–at Biringer Farm’s Strawberry Festival on the Red Rooster Route.

According to a recent press release, “The juiciest and most deliciously sweet local strawberries are in season this month and will be celebrated on June 16 and 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Biringer Farm’s fourth annual Strawberry Festival.

“This fourth annual Strawberry Festival is hosted by Biringer Farm, which will welcome savvy shoppers interested in buying local and picking berries fresh from the fields.

“Come bring fathers and grandfathers out for family fun this Father’s Day at the Red Rooster Route Strawberry Festival!”

Biringer Farm anticipates strawberries will be ready from mid to late June, and will have u-pick and we-pick strawberries and their legendary strawberry shortcake for sale.

This year’s theme is “Fun in Farmland.”

Kids’ activities include a giant strawberry ride, kites, animals, face paint, giant strawberry  and castle-maze inflatables, pennies in the hay, kites, kiddy slides, pig-butt bowling, fun interactive strawberry story time, riding the jolly trolley and plucking strawberries right from the vines.

Picnic on the covered wagon next to the old historic barn and stop by the Farm Market for pre-picked strawberries and strawberry shortcake, local honey, gourmet packaged shortcakes, cold drinks, and sliced-and-sugared strawberries ready to eat and freeze.

Mike Biringer, farmer and co-owner of Biringer Farms says, “The strawberry festival is a great opportunity to see a real working farm up close and support local agriculture.”

Wife and co-owner, Dianna Biringer, adds, “Sign up to enter the second annual Tasty Jam Party! When you bring your own homemade jam made entirely or in part with Biringer Farm strawberries or raspberries, you will get one FREE six-box flat of our strawberries or raspberries.”

The tasting will be held on July 21st from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., with the winner announced on the Biringer Farm website.

Biringer Farm is part of  The Red Rooster Route, a non-profit association of small, family-friendly farms in the Arlington, Washington, area of Snohomish County, which are open to the public during the harvest season.