A no messing around guide to the coolest things to eat, drink and do in Vancouver and beyond. Community. Not clickbait.

TRACK & FOOD // Shira Blustein Talks Cookbook Creation, Punk Rock and Running a Restaurant

Welcome to the Track & Food podcast. Host Jamie Mah is a writer, bartender and sommelier in beautiful Vancouver, BC. With co-host Mickey McLeod, they take regular deep dives into everything food and culture in the city and around the globe.

What a delight it was to chat with Shira Blustein. She’s been a prominent figurehead in the Vancouver restaurant community since her acclaimed restaurant Acorn first opened. Awards, accolades and praise, both locally and globally, have come to her and her team for the excellent food and drink they continue to provide. My co-host of this podcast, Mickey, is even an employee now, and he’s really enjoyed every second of being on the team. But, not to just discuss her restaurant, Shira has a new cookbook on the horizon, aptly titled Acorn – Vegetables Re-Imagined: Seasonal Recipes from Root to Stem. It’s dropping at all bookstores near you on November 9th. With this exciting development, we discussed how this book came about, the process of getting it off the ground, what’s in it and who this book is for. We also chatted about animal welfare practises and the rise of vegetarian restaurants. This a fun and really informative interview. Shira brings a wonderful candid energy. You’re sure to laugh a few times as well. I hope you enjoy.

Demythologizing Poverty with Local Expert, Tracy Smith-Carrier

Will poverty always be a systemic issue? This is the question at the heart of an article published in The Conversation last December, written by today's guest and Jamie Mah's most recent Track & Food Podcast episode.

An Inside Look at the Controversial Mount Pleasant BIA Expansion

In this episode, we hear from Mount Pleasant BIA Executive Director, Neil Wyles, on why he's pushed so hard for this expansion and what that process has entailed so far, as well as from those in opposition, including three Main Street business owners.

Is the BC Restaurant Industry in a Crisis?

In the wake of the CEBA Loan Repayment extended deadline (Jan. 18th, 2024), host Jamie Mah and guests Shira Blustein, Shaun Layton, and James Iranzad debate where restaurants are headed in 2024 and what can be done to help an industry on the brink.

What’s Going On with the BC Craft Beer Industry?

To gain a better comprehension of the situation from the inside, Jamie has rounded up three friends and prominent brewery owners to share their knowledge and personal narratives, and discuss the state of the craft brewery market today, how they see it evolving, and the challenges ahead…