Scout works with a lot of local restaurants to get the word out about the cool and delicious things they’re doing, but they couldn’t do what they do without access to awesome ingredients. To get what they need, culinary creatives depend on personal networks of passionate artisans, farmers and producers who often work hard without ever seeing the glory they deserve. Since it’s always good to recognize those who have your back, we bring you the Supplier Shout Out!

In this edition, we head to Commercial Drive to link up with chef/restaurateur Darren Gee at the Ugly Dumpling. He tells us about the extraordinary local supplier working hard to provide year-round menu inspiration, including one particularly misunderstood ingredient that’s featured on their current fresh sheet…

Which one of your suppliers do you want to give a shout out to? Cropthorne Farm.

What do they supply you with? Rapini. (his is NOT a specific vegetable, as people often think, but rather a stage of growth when a plant grows tender little flowering buds. We have been gorging on mostly kale and various Asian green rapini lately.

How is this ingredient featured on your menu? Steamed tofu with rapini greens and matsutake soy ($14). *Currently on the menu but may be gone in a day or a month!

What makes this supplier so special? We love Cropthorne because while other small farms shut down during the winter months Lydia and her crew keep our fridges full and menus inspired with amazing produce. For establishments like ours that are committed to only using local/organic producers, winter can be difficult, but Cropthorne is a saviour.

Ugly Dumpling

Neighbourhood: Commercial Drive

1590 Commercial Dr.

(Closed)

604-258-0005

WEBSITE