Week 22 | June 2, 2023
Today’s estimated read time is 5 minutes for all three sections
PEAK’S PEOPLE, PLACES AND EVENTS
Do you have that one friend in your group that just always makes you feel at ease? Or makes you laugh? Or makes you feel happy and upbeat every time you hang out?
Hopefully, you have at least one friend like that. Or maybe even a couple.
I feel very fortunate because I do have a couple of friends like that.
But this one friend of mine I want to tell you about today lives right here in Squamish.
Meet James King (everyone calls him Jimmy though)
He grew up in Minnesota ehh… but in true ex-pat form, he has made Squamish his home. And he loves to give back to this community.
Jimmy has lived here for over 15+ years now. He continues to impact Squamish and the Sea to Sky community. In countless positive ways.
Are you familiar with that beautiful, modern, black building… the one behind Lucas Teas?
He and his business partner, Mark Abma, are responsible for that. They have a development company named Elevation Collective.
They purchased that lot. Then began working with the District of Squamish on zoning and oversaw the buildout.
One of Jimmy’s main jobs today is working with his business partner to source, rezone and build out small development opportunities. They focus on areas in which they can utilize unique properties and give back to that community.
He also has a Food & Beverage consulting company, Descript Hospitality Consulting … like he wasn’t busy enough ehh!?
A few little-known facts about Jimmy King:
He was formerly the personal and private chef for the owner of LVMH, Bernard Arnault. (NBD, Bernard is only one of the top 3 richest persons in the world. He might currently be THE richest person in the world at the moment).
Jimmy prepared world-class, luxury meals on Arnault’s 135-acre private island. Indigo Island is a Caribbean paradise. It's located near the Bahamas and is an island hideaway for billionaires.
After Jimmy moved on from that role, he was the personal and private chef for a high-profile celebrity on their private island. A 45-acre paradise located near the Bahamas also.
Only a small handful of people in the world get to experience dining at this level. The quality of the ingredients, the preparation and the service are of the highest calibre.
But Jimmy still keeps it chill. And he is funny as hell.
He can cook world-class meals at the top of a mountain (and he has… right here in the Sea to Sky corridor). He occasionally moonlights as a private chef for celebrities and dignitaries still. But he chooses when and how often.
He has honestly helped me more than I could have ever imagined or asked for.
He has been helping me with everything! For real though… from the build-out to costing exercises, staffing, and menu conceptions. Even with the Tiny Bathroom.
He is an actual rock. A genuinely good human.
He is always up for a conversation, no matter who you are. And if you ask for help… he will 100% be there.
He will shoot you straight. And another amazing thing about him… if he doesn’t have the answer, he will put you in touch with someone who does.
If you see him on the street, say “Hey Jimmy… Martha loves you!” You’ll instantly get to see that big smile and maybe even hear his infectious laugh.
I am so grateful I get to call him my friend.
PROVISIONS WE LOVE
Cheeeeeese!
Your happiness is Peak Provisions' number one priority. Without you, we wouldn't be here.
So many of you have told me that you LOVE the cheese selection here at the store. This makes me very happy.
I love cheese too. It is the best.
The majority of our cheese selection comes from Benton Brothers Fine Cheeses on Granville Island.
These are two REAL brothers building this successful family business. Jonah and Andrew Benton continue to provide us with the finest cheeses from across the globe.
In 2007 they both quit their careers in engineering to become Cheese Mongers. Crazy. And also amazing.
Their story is based on love and passion… for cheese ( :
They also share a passion for wine and have even gone so far as to become certified Sommeliers. Actually, only Andrew is ISG certified. But I know that Jonah is highly educated and qualified when it comes to wine and cheese selections.
They provide the highest quality real cheese. With no artificial flavours and fresh off the wheel. This is their commitment and they stand by it.
The brother's business has become synonymous with Vancouver's best artisanal and raw milk cheeses.
And it's an honour that Peak Provisions gets to provide them to you, here in Squamish.
If you find a cheese from the Benton Brothers Cheese Room Library that we don’t have in the shop… ask me and I will bring it in for you.
We’ll see you here at Peak’s cheese counter soon.
AT THE BAR
Bye-bye wine list…
I would NEVER stop serving wine. That would go against everything I believe in.
But printing a list and updating it has used more paper than I would care to share with you.
While we want to make sure you have easy access to our menus, the content needs to be accurate.
We heard you loud and clear. The importance of providing you with the most accurate list of our available items is a top priority.
So in true European fashion (my favourite source of inspiration)... We will have a beautiful and large chalkboard placed at the end of the bar.
This will make it easy to share daily updates and provide you with the most accurate list of wines.
Our staff will be able to tell you what is available also. And you can easily take a quick picture on your phone when you arrive.
I promise there will always be amazing wines to pair with our dishes.
And if you trust me and our staff… we can even curate or pair wines with your meal.
This menu update will be rolled out to you in the next week or so.
In the meantime, don’t be a stranger.
Come in and hang out with us at the bar soon.
We’ll be here waiting for you.
Martha McAvity
