As I start this post, this weekend marks the first weekend of December 2020, ahead of what promises to be a very quiet and different Christmas.  Work has been extremely busy for me, and the last couple of weeks before we break for Christmas promise to be more of the same.

Kathy was working today, and as it was a gorgeous day and I am spending FAR too much time cooped up in my basement office, I decided to make a trip out to restock the pantry a bit.  Coming into the colder weather, the food I cook tends to be a bit heartier and heavier, helps to ward off the cold.  So, while working to minimize my travels out and about, I did need to make a few stops.

Kamloops is actually very fortunate to have some truly hidden gems when it comes to places to shop for food.  Fresh St Market has just opened up, and they have some great ingredients that you won’t find at the major retailers.  They also have a very good online shopping tool and refrigerated lockers outside the store where you can pick up the order.  We tried that the other night, and it worked out great.

But today was about some of my favorite ‘mom and pop shops’.

My first stop was Fratelli Foods on Victoria St.  I picked up a few packages of gnocchi, but my main reason for stopping there was to get some San Remo balsamic vinegar.  I got onto this ‘high must content’ balsamic after a recent trip to Di Muzio’s Ristorante on Victoria St.  I will do a post on this kind of balsamic later but suffice to say it is completely different than what you will find on the shelf at any grocery retailer.

After Fratelli’s, it was off to one of my favorite specialty food places, 4 Oaks Oil and Vinegar.  I have covered 4 Oaks before here and I very much like their olive oils and vinegars, but they usually have a very good selection of a specialty pasta out of Oregon, Pappardelle’s.  These folks make some amazing dried pasta in all sorts of flavours.  4 Oaks carries a great selection, and I am quite eager to try the Hickory Bacon flavoured pasta!

In addition, I found they now have a great selection of different flavoured mustards being made in 100 Mile House by Wildcraft Organics, as well as several other products by small manufacturers from around BC.  I really encourage anyone go and check out 4 Oaks, you will be pleased you did.

I then popped in next door to Gourmet Greens Produce Market and took a quick wander.  There I came across some pickled Ukrainian sausages by ‘Two Pickled Uke’s Brand’ in Surrey.  I have to say that I got them more as a curiosity, but having tried them, I will definitely be back for more.  With those in hand and some Blackwells Eggnog for good measure, I was out the door and off to my next stop.

If you have ever ventured to Salmon Arm to the Shuswap Pie Company for their awesome homemade pies, both savory and sweet, then you know how good they are.  But during this time when travel is being frowned upon, it is not the best idea to venture to the “home office” to get a fix.  Good news is, they have a place in Kamloops that carries a particularly good selection their pies in frozen form.  Twin Rivers Market is that place, and they really do have a very good selection.  They aren’t the cheapest pies, but they are well worth the money.  So, with a Raspberry & Rhubarb fruit pie, a Sausage, Apple & Sage Pie as well as a Steak and Stout pie in my hands, I was off to the next stop.

Last stop was Summit Gourmet Meats to order the Christmas Pterodactyl.  Not a fan of turkey personally, but the Chief Taste Tester loves it so I will do one for this Christmas.  While there I browsed the case, and noticed they had a tray of Mincemeat.  Now mincemeat tarts are my dessert crack, so was intrigued enough to grab a small container to taste test.  Suffice to say I will be going back with a bucket for more.  Summit has great meat, and I love being able to talk to the butcher and ask for specific cuts of meat cut to what I need for a given cook.  They also have great sausages, the Chief Taste Tester is a huge fan of their turkey sausage so it is well worth the trip.  With that I was loaded up and headed for home.

*A quick Christmas 2021 update:  I still love Summit meats, but they have changed the mincemeat for this Christmas, and unfortunately I am not able to sing it praises as I had last year.  It is suet free, so those who are looking for a vegetarian/vegan option may find it interesting however.

*An addition to the list

I was a bit remiss on not listing Gary’s European Sausage and Deli on my list.  I am a frequent visitor to Gary’s, they have a great selection of smoked sausages and deli meats.  They make much of their own product, and carry a nice selection of imported European foods as well.  They are now offering delivery service within the Kamloops area, which is a nice added bonus.   

More now than ever, if you have a chance to go past the regular big box grocery retailers and spend a few min checking out these great places owned by local folks, I really encourage you to do so.

Hopefully, this post will help give you with a few ideas of places and products to check out in our home town.

Stay safe and enjoy!

Scott @ SCK