CARLI BERRY
news@pqbnews.com
White Spot is getting something special from the Parksville area this summer with the release of their Celebrate B.C. menu.
They'll be getting brie cheese, a lot of it, from Little Qualicum Cheeseworks. Specifically, 1,953 kilograms of cheese, said Adrienne Thomson, the company's wholesale and marketing manager.
The new White Spot menu offers a variety of foods and wines, all from B.C. companies, according to a news release issued by the restaurant chain.
Two of the summer burgers on the menu and one appetizer will offer the brie cheese: the Prawn and B.C. Brie Flatbread, B.C. Beet and Bacon Bigger Burger, and the Gala Apple and B.C. Brie Chicken Burger will be available throughout the summer.
Thomson said "It's a great opportunity for companies in a local setting."
Warren Erhart, president of White Spot, said that Cheeseworks was chosen for it's "outstanding brie cheese."
He said that the company wanted to find a brie cheese to pair with their flatbread and one of the White Spot chefs loved Little Qualicum Cheeseworks.
Erhart said this isn't the first time White Spot is offering the menu. In previous years, the company has wanted to showcase B.C. products.
The reason White Spot uses local B.C. companies is because it's "fresh," and a great way to support a local economy, he said. In the future, he said he hopes to continue using Cheeseworks products.
"The quality of products is outstanding," he said.
Erhart said that the different cheeses that Cheeseworks carries could be offered in a variety of menu items.
The only issue with offering local ingredients, he said, is that the company sometimes is unable to supply the product.
"There has to be enough product," he said, which sometimes smaller companies are unable to produce.
Thomson said it gives Cheeseworks and other local companies a chance to reach people on a provincial level, something that they can't quite do on their own.
It also helps increase people's awareness of locally-grown foods, Thomson said.
She said it was White Spot that reached out to Little Qualicum Cheeseworks and thought it was a "good opportunity for all of us." She said it was a good atmosphere in the restaurant and thought it was a good idea for Cheeseworks' cheese to be featured in the family-friendly restaurant.
Her favourite of the brie items would be the chicken burger, but she hasn't had the chance to try the appetizer yet.
Erhart also said his favourite burger on the summer menu is the chicken burger.
The Celebrate B.C. menu is running from July 20 to Sept. 6 at White Spot.