Cheftimony Episode 024 – Island Time
“Jesse is a talented, thoughtful and creative chef. He’s also a champion of reducing waste and making use of every last bit of a product.”
Today we’re traveling to Galiano Island in the beautiful Gulf Islands of British Columbia. My wife Baharnaz and I went there after our wedding last month and enjoyed three wonderful days on the island, highlighted by dinner at Pilgrimme Restaurant.
Before getting to that experience and to today’s interview with Chef Jesse McCleery, I spend time in the introduction looking ahead to the next phase of the honeymoon which happens next month in … where else? Las Vegas, Nevada! It will be great to meet Vegas attorney Laura Tucker (you’ll hear from Laura on the show soon) at an event called Sour Saturday at the historic Atomic Liquors. I’ve also got plans to see fellow podcasters Sonja Swanson of Spicy Eyes and Chris Kim of Faces and Aces Las Vegas. A full trip report will be coming soon.
But back to Galiano Island! It’s an amazing place, and I think particularly later in September when we visited, simply because the tourist rush has calmed down by that time of year. B and I spent our time browsing the bookstore and gently hiking the trails and beaches. The highlight of our trip was undoubtedly our dinner at Pilgrimme, plus the chance to speak to Chef Jesse the following morning on a deck out back of the restaurant.
Jesse is a talented, thoughtful and creative chef. He’s also a champion of reducing waste and making use of every last bit of a product. Jesse and his team direct their considerable skills and energy to the guest experience at Pilgrimme, and that makes for a remarkable experience on a remarkable island.
It will almost certainly take you a long time to get there.
Go.