In Focus | Jennifer Schell of An Okanagan Cookbook

Jennifer Schell is one of a growing population of Okanagan authors who are publishing books and finding success. Jennifer wrote and self published ”The Butcher, The Baker, The Wine and Cheese Maker - An Okanagan Cookbook”, celebrating the Okanagan Valley's best chefs, farmers and winemakers. It not only contains wonderful recipes, but also the stories behind the cast of talented people behind the menu. Jennifer has deep roots in the Okanagan in the farming industry and strongly believes in the culinary scene that is building here. Today Jennifer and An Okanagan Cookbook are In Focus.

What do you always find yourself saying?
Amazing

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Ruth Reichl

If you could spend a day with any historical figure, who would you choose?
Julia Child

Who inspires you?
Farmers

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
Visit Africa
Become fluent in French
Become comfortable public speaking

If you had an enormous yacht, what would you name it?
The Butcher, the Baker, The Wine & Cheese Maker

What are you passionate about?
Sharing stories about amazing, inspiring people and educating our community about eating local and supporting farmers and artisans.

Providing love and support to the women and children of the Kelowna Soup Sisters through the Soup Sisters program I am involved in.

What has been your favourite day of your life, up to this point?
Besides my wedding day :), it would have to be November 2, 2012 at Summerhill's Fabulous Finds event. It was the day after I received my freshly published books and I rented a table to sell them there. I was so nervous and didn't know how they would be received. I sold 100. I cried.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Self publishing my book.

Where is your favourite place to dine in Kelowna?
There are a few restaurants I love who do this, but my favourite place to dine is around my table with friends. To have friends over and cook a meal using all local ingredients with local wine.

What is your favourite activity or event in Kelowna?
Soup Sisters soup making days

What is the name of your business/organization?
An Okanagan Cookbook

What does your business/organization do?
Promote our local food, wine & farm community.

Where can people find you or your business online?
http://www.anokanagancookbook.com

How do people connect with you on Linkedin?
Jennifer Schell

Where can people find your business on Facebook?
http://www.anokanagancookbook.com

What is your Twitter account?
https://twitter.com/Anokcookbook

What is your mission?
To spread the word about our amazing food, wine & farm community.

If you could achieve one thing within your field, what would it be?
Draw international attention to our incredible valley as an organic, agritourism destination

Where do you want your business/organization to be in 5 years?
Publishing a sequel to my current book and building a large audience for the cookbook speaker series

Who do you consider to be a forerunner within your field?
Chef Geoffrey Couper

What 3 qualities do you feel that your business/organization exemplifies?
Passion
Supporting local food, wine, farm
Great taste

What would you like to say to your employees/volunteers?
Thank you for sharing the love

How does your business/organization impact the community?
It promotes the local food revolution and spotlights individuals who are leaders in the industry.

If you were trapped in an elevator with several wealthy investors from any field, which field would you want them to be experts in? What would say to them/talk about?
I would beg them to invest in a beautiful indoor Farmer's Market/Food Hall and to build a Culinary/Wine School and Education Centre here.

If I could change 1 thing about Kelowna, it would be:
Kelowna should be more supportive of the farming industry and wake up to their needs and issues ie. protecting tree fruits and giving farmers and artisans a proper home to market their locally grown/made product. Preserving our farmland and promoting agriculturally focused growth instead of building on it.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
Its rich soil and farm lands and amazing food and wine community. The gorgeous lake helps too:)

My choice for the Kelowna In Focus spotlight is:
Helen Kennedy, Arlo's Honey

In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses and organizations that help make our city great. The team at WelcometoKelowna.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do. We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below, and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kelowna!