Culinary Capers Beijing recently won the international award of "Best Off-Premise Catered Event" for a plated luncheon they presented on the Great Wall of China. The spectacular setting featured a 120-foot long table set on a privately reserved area of the Great Wall. The four-course menu featured contemporary fusion Chinese dishes and was served to 120 doctors from around the world. Opened in 2008, Culinary Capers Beijing is a division of Culinary Capers Catering, a leading Vancouver catering company that is headed by CEO Debra Lykkemark.
(All items in this section were edited from an official press release.)
RESTAURANTS
Offering westcoast cuisine with Mediterranean and Asian flavours, Prestons restaurant opened January 15th in the new Coast Coal Harbour Hotel (1177 West Pender). Under the guiding hand of Restaurant Chef Alessandro Vianello, the new restaurant's Intro Plates include ... CONTINUE READING ...
yew restaurant + bar: every Sunday night (except during the Olympics), the restaurant in the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver will offers their entire wine list at 50% off. Now that's a deal! 791 West Georgia Street. 604-692-4939.
FOOD
The Koutalianos family of Basil Olive Oil have many exciting projects planned for 2010. Arsenault Pulp Press is going to publish their ‘From the Olive Grove’ cook book. The collection of recipes, all using olive oil, will be a collaboration between Helen Koutalianos and her daughter Anastasia, as well as several top Vancouver chefs. The company will also introduce two new unique products this year -- a certified organic ‘Real Wine Vinegar’ and a certified organic ‘Meli Fir Honey’. Their flagship product, the Golden Organic Eleni olive oil has a new elegant bottle which are already on display in better grocery stores around B.C.
For more news related to olive oil, see our online calendar for information about Slow Food Vancouver's Olive Oil Tasting which will take place on January 30, 2010.
Slow Food Vancouver also has a limited quantity of Red Fife Wheat flour for sale in 2.5 kg ($12) or 20 kg packages. To order email infosfv@slowfoodvancouver.com. Wheat berries are in 1kg packages and are available by donation. Proceeds from the sale of the flour will go to Slow Food's Adopt-A-Farmer campaign, their project to sponsor the attendance of local farmers at this year's Terra Madre 2010. (Red Fife wheat is Canada's first Presidium because of its historic significance in the development of Canada's wheat sector and because of its exceptional flavour and near extinction status. It is also in The Ark of Taste which aims to rediscover, catalog, describe and publicize forgotten flavors.) Visit http://www.slowfoodfoundation.org/eng/arca/lista.lasso for more information.
PEOPLE
Restaurant owner Harry Kambolis and Executive Chef Robert Clark recently named Jennifer Peters as their new Chef de Cuisine. And befitting their restaurant's mandate, they found a gem no further than 100 Miles away. Peters began her career at La Belle Auberge as an apprentice under Chef Bruno Marti. Following La Belle Auberge, Peters set her sights on the United Kingdom. She worked at Mosimann’s private dining room and Sir Terence Conran’s Almeida before moving back to Canada. ... CONTINUE READING ...
Chris González has joined Lumiere and db Bistro Moderne as General Manager after a two-year tenure as Restaurant Manager at Robson Street’s CinCin Ristorante + Bar. Previous to employment with the Top Table Group of restaurants, Chris served as General Manager of Yaletown’s Villa del Lupo Restaurant and as a representative of Summerhill Estate Winery in Kelowna.
There are new management roles for manager Bruno Valentino, server Richard Luxton and bartender Justin Tisdall at MARKET by Jean-Georges, the signature restaurant at the Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver
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Coast Hotels & Resorts today announced the appointment of Renee Muller as Manager of Prestons Restaurant in the new Coast Coal Harbour Hotel in Vancouver. Renee brings a decade of food and wine experience to Prestons. Prior to joining Prestons, she was General Manager and Sommelier at Plan B Lounge in Vancouver's Yaletown district. She also served as Director of Food and Beverage for the Dockside Restaurant and Brewing Co. in the Granville Island Hotel. ... CONTINUE READING...
Alessandro Vianello is the chef of Prestons Restaurant in the new Coast Coal Harbour Hotel in Vancouver. Chef Vianello recently relocated to Vancouver from St. Andrews, Scotland where he was Sous Chef at the Fairmont Hotel. He has also worked in the upscale Tuscan vineyard restaurant Castello Vicchiomaggio in Florence, Italy under the direction of Chef Francesco Lagi. ... CONTINUE READING ...
Up and coming chefs from Vancouver's top restaurants competed for the top prize in the 14th Annual Black Box Competition on January 13, 2010, hosted by The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Vancouver. Winner of the gold medal was Jasper Cruickshank of Aramark Canada, who finished first of the 11 chefs competing. Competitors were given just under two and a half hours to create an appetizer and an entrée, using the mystery items in the Black Box, which this year were whole local sole and whole fresh duck. Jasper's winning dishes were an appetizer of pan seared sole with leek fondue stuffed gougères and a sour apple reduction, and an entrée of pan roasted duck breast, with potato pavé, a carrot purée confit, tomato relish and natural jus. Second place went to to Nick Surowy from The Fairmont Waterfront, with third place going to Jonathan Boerboom of The Fairmont Pacific Rim. Jonathan is a graduate of The International Culinary School, and currently working with David Wong, Canada's representative for the Bocuse d'Or Competition 2009.
WINE
Tickets to the 2010 Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival will go on sale Tuesday, February 2nd. Tickets to trade events will be on sale February 9, 2010. This year's Festival will be one of the largest in its thirty-two year history. With 197 wineries and two theme regions of New Zealand and Argentina, attendees will have the opportunity to sample a diverse array of wines, including the theme focus varietal of Rose. Tickets to the Festival can be purchased online at PlayhouseWinefest.com or by phoning the Playhouse Box office at 604-873-3311.
Quinta Ferreira Estate Winery announced this week that until February 15, 2010, they will donate 10% of their wine sales to the Haiti disaster. All sales, whether they are from private liquor stores, VQA stores throughout BC, restaurants or winery direct will be tallied over the one month period and contributed on February 16, 2010. “We made the decision to include all of our distribution channels for this particular project so that our customers could all be a part of this fundraiser” comments Maria Ferreira, Co-Owner of Quinta Ferreira Estate Winery. The Winery is located in the heart of Oliver, British Columbia, on the Black Sage Bench. www.QuintaFerreira.com
JoieFarm (Naramata, BC) have announced the release of their 2009 Vintage A Noble Blend, Rosé, Un-Oaked Chardonnay, Riesling and Muscat. The wines are now available to order online at www.joiefarm.com/order_joie_wines.htm. Note that due to limited quantities, there is a three bottle limit on the Muscat. Submit your orders by 6 p.m. on February 3rd, 2010 to take advantage of pick up day delivery in Vancouver.
BEER
The Vancouver chapter of the Campaign for Real Ale has announced the results of its annual members poll recognizing local and regional excellence in brewing and beer service. Surrey's Central City Brewing was awarded "Best Local Brewpub"; the Alibi Room for "Best Local Beer Cafe, Pub, or Restaurant"; and Brewery Creek Liquor Store for "Best Local Liquor Store for Beer Selection". This is the second year both the Alibi Room and Brewery Creek were rated the best in their categories. With the growing popularity of cask-conditioned ale (Real Ale) in Vancouver, more establishments have been adding this type of beer to their offerings. For this reason, CAMRA Vancouver added a "Best Local Cask Night" to its list of awards. In a nod to its pioneering role in popularizing Real Ale in the city, Dix Barbecue and Brewery won this category and won silver for its Winter Cask Ale Festival. The Whip is also acknowledged for its Real Ale Sundays with a different cask every week supplied by R&B Brewing. ... CONTINUE READING...
NEW IN THE CALENDAR
JANUARY 25, 2010:
Robbie Burns Day at Papis Ristorante Italiano.
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The Scots and the Italians, sometimes the twain shall meet. Bonny Prince Charlie lived in Rome and Bologna most of his childhood years, and that's a good enough reason for Papi's to celebrate Robbie Burns Day with a Scottish style feast. The menu will include such traditional highland items as smoked haddock chowder, wild salmon scallops finished with Scotch, roasted leg of lamb with mint jus and warm apple and pear crumble with vanilla sauce Anglaise. The four courses will be paired with wines and will finish with the Scottish nectar "Glayva." $69 per person. 6:30 p.m. The restaurant is located in Steveston at 12251 No. One Road at Moncton Street in the heart of the village. 604-275-8355.
JANUARY 26, 2010:
Scotch Whiskey Night at Hamilton Street Grill
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The event will feature a tasting of Scotland's finest, from the Highlands to the Low, Islay to Speyside, along with a few classic Scotch-based cocktails whipped up by resident cocktail geek, Ryan Cheverie. Chef Neil Wyles will be sure to put together some snacks to go along with the malty goodness, but save room for dinner as the Winter Steak Sale is still going full swing (see Restaurant Deals on Meals). $45. with tax and tip included. Book now as seats are limited (the bar only). 1009 Hamilton Street, Yaletown. Call 604-331-1511 for reservations. 1009 Hamilton Street, Yaletown.
JANUARY 29, 2010:
Herder Winery & Vineyards Event hosted by Viti Wine & Lager Store.
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This is a special wine tasting event with Sharon Herder of B.C.’s Herder Winery & Vineyards. Herder is led by Sharon's husband, winemaker Lawrence Herder, who has lent his expertise to a host of wineries that have gone on to success: Orofino, Stoneboat, Le Clos du Soleil, Seven Stones and the newly established Synergy. This event will feature five Herder wines as well as the opportunity to barrel sample two "yet-to-be-released" collections. 5 to 7 p.m. No admission. Uva Wine Bar. 900 Seymour Street, Vancouver (at Smithe Street). 604-683-3806.
JANUARY 30, 2010:
Slow Food Olive Oil Tasting.
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Discover the taste, aroma, color, and history behind the life and produce of Lorenzo Caponetti from the Etruscan Valley of Truscania, Italy. Casa Caponetti oil is certified organic. The olives are picked by hand, early in November from the company's own groves when the quality is at its best, and taken immediately to the mill. The mill is a traditional one, with the old millstone, where the oil is still cold pressed. Mr. Caponetti will be in attendance. 2:30 to 4 p.m. No charge for Slow Food members, non-members $10. Taking place at Bosa Foods. 1465 Kootenay Street, Vancouver. RSVP to rsvp@slowfoodvancouver.com, confirmation will be given. Cheque or cash accepted only. Bring your Slow Food membership card.
JANUARY 31, 2010:
Haiti Earthquake Relief Dinner at Cru Restaurant.
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Support the people of Haiti at an Earthquake Relief Fundraising Dinner. The evening will feature a four-course dinner paired with quality wines, as well as a silent auction. Cru staff will volunteer their time, and the restaurant will donate all the food and beverages for this important event. One Hundred percent of the proceeds from the dinner will be donated to relief efforts in Haiti. The monies raised will also be matched by the Canadian government, doubling the amount of support that will be provided to the beleaguered country. 6:30 p.m. $100 per person. Cru Restaurant. 1459 West Broadway, Vancouver. Reservations: call 604-677-4111.
JANUARY 31, 2010:
Mangere, Bere, Vivere Fundraiser at Mangia e Bevi.
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Vancouver’s Mangia e Bevi will host a special dinner called Mangere, Bere, Vivere, (To Eat, To Drink, To Live). The sumptuous four-course dinner, paired with complementary wines, will be a fitting finale to the restaurant’s January month-long BACIO fundraiser. The special evening will include a silent auction that will benefit both BC Children’s Hospital and the Oncology Clinic at Lions Gate Hospital. 6 p.m. $95 plus taxes. 2222 Marine Drive, West Vancouver, B.C. 604-922-8333.
FEBRUARY 1,2, 2010:
Hamilton Street Grill presents Quails' Gate Winery
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Try a sampling of three new wines and have three savoury, wine-inspired food tasters while learning from a wine expert as they take you through a casual, sit down style tasting. This month they are pouring Quails' Gate wines from the Okanagan Valley alongside Executive Chef Neil Wyles' wine inspired appetizers. Two Dates: Monday, February 1st at 5:30 p.m. and Tuesday, February 2nd at 5:30 p.m. $25 per person. Hamilton Street Grill, 1009 Hamilton Street, Yaletown, Vancouver. Reserve by credit card at: 604-331-1511 or hamiltonstreetgrill@telus.net
DATES FOR UPCOMING EVENTS:
February 27 - Seedy Saturday at Van Dusen to sell Nodding Onion plants - a crop in the Slow Food ARK of TASTE (tbc).
March 14 - Chili on the Drive