Is "farm to table" a buzzword or a way of life? Foodie adventurer David Latt, explores Spokane, Washington and ventures into Northern Idaho to see how this part of the country has tranformed itself to embrace the farm-to-table movement.

Warren and I have always wanted to visit eastern Washington and northern Idaho. So off we went, on a 300-mile culinary odyssey through “the Inland Northwest.” Our agenda: Exploring, feasting and wine tasting. Starting in beautiful Spokane, then driving into northern Idaho, golden wheat fields, elegant mountains and sparkling lakes awed us. We picked fresh apples, posed for photos with mammoth pumpkins and feasted on tangy huckleberries. At family owned wineries, we tasted nectar of the gods. Talented chefs served us smoked trout, roasted quail, rosemary foccacia, filet mignon and sweet peach pie. Farmers waxed poetic over lentils, wheat, and heirloom tomatoes. Everything from farm to table was delicious, grown and prepared with love.

I had heard of Spokane many times before actually visiting for one reason: hockey. The city is home to a junior hockey team and a minor league affiliate for the NHL. With Canadian family and dual citizenship, hockey has been in my life for a long time. When I was invited to celebrate the Fall Harvest in Spokane, I knew, however, this treat didn't involve any ice, pucks, or referees.

Making plans to visit Spokane, WA to check out the Fall Harvest and the new Northern Quest Resort & Casino, I told my friend from Seattle where I was going and he quickly responded with disgusted reproach in his voice, “Why on earth would you go to Spokane? There is nothing to see.” (FYI, he had never been there.)