Globally Inspired, Locally Created

Mediaplanet sat down with Vancouver local and world-renowned chef, Vikram Vij, to get the inside scoop on his culinary inspiration.

Mediaplanet Is eating local food a trend, or is it here to stay?

Vikram Vij I hope it’s not only here to stay, but that in the end, it will be the only way to eat.Of course my food inspiration comes from India — but my spices are roasted in our own kitchens here in Vancouver. One has to think like you are living in a self-sustaining village — you grow and eat what is available.

MP How can shoppers ensure that their food originates from an ethical and sustainable source?

VV There are many different labelling programs out there now, but sometimesyou have to look hard to find them. Generally it is the store or the merchant you look for, rather than a single product in a supermarket. Certain places will only sell ethical and sustainable. Yes, those things tend to cost a little more, but food fuels us… what is more important than our health?

MP How can we bring more attention to the local food movement?

VV By not letting it die.The more we follow that path, the more we talk about it, and the more people actually experience those fresh, delicious ingredients, the more that people will realize it’s the only way forward.