ON THE NEWSTANDS

With the help of freelancer Nancy Lathier, who updated all our links, we've got the Newstand up to date again. Happy reading!

Now, eh, would you mind you saying that again, Jamie?

THE MEDIA HOUND

THE BAG MAN GETS WIRED


We always wonder what’s up with the Province. Especially when we are trying to find their food columnist Mark Laba’s latest restaurant review online. The newspaper doesn’t always post it and when they do, finding it is as difficult and time consuming as getting through to a government agency by phone.

Need more shame of Brittany? Or photos of the latest breath inhaled by the Joie-Pitt family? The Prov wants you to have it without having to put down your Tim Horton's cup OR your #3 breakfast burrito. But their own best local talent? Forget it. Which only goes to prove the old saying that you are never a profit in your own home town. ... CONTINUE READING.

(Note: the website address will soon be changed to www.polyesterpalate.com.)


Filed in MEDIA/Online



Martha Stewart is the lastest celebrity to get her own wine label. (Thanks for the link, Judith)

Safeway puts 1,000 solar panels on its roof.



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RECENT EVENTS

2007 RISING STAR BLACK BOX COMPETITION

*** TO SEE PHOTOS FOR THIS EVENT CLICK HERE ***


Knives flashed, blenders roared, oven doors went a-thumping – even the “mise� was supremely challenged to stay “en place�, as twelve youthful contestants hurled a whirlwind of energy towards a coveted prize – the crystal Rosenthal trophy that would be awarded to the winner of the Rising Star Black Box Competition.

This was the 12th time around for the event which is sponsored each year by the Art Institute of Vancouver – Dubrulle Culinary Arts. It’s become a major event for the school and a chance for talented junior chefs with competitive spirit to show off their stuff and remind the Feenies, Hawksworths and Clarks out there that the next generation is coming up fast behind them.

...CONTINUE READING....


Filed in PEOPLE/Chefs ... and MEDIA/Gallery

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...

DINE AND DASH


The good times are in someone else's mouth now. James Iranzad told a CF'er last night that his company has sold Nevermind, the bar at 3293 West 4th that attracted a bouncy Kitsilano crowd nightly. They plan to focus future efforts on their other three restaurants, Abigail's Party, Hell's Kitchen and Flying Tiger. The sale took place two weeks ago but will be officially settled on October 1st. The new owners are expected to keep the same name and theme.

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THE MEDIA HOUND

In today's Globe and Mail, Alexandra Gill plays High Noon at the West End Corral in a showdown between Kintaro Ramen and Legenday Noodle.

Sip, Slurp and Savour (Globe and Mail, September 19, 2007)

Then Chef Rob Feenie gets himself into a chowder.

How Sweet it is Cooking with Corn. (Globe and Mail, September 19, 2007)

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NEW FOOD BOOKS FOR FALL

ONLY IN NEW CALEDONIA? PITY!


Are British gourmands becoming a self-endangered species?

Surely A.A. Gill must be aware that a number of London restaurateurs have posted sharpshooters on their rooftops in case the notorious food critic comes within five blocks of their establishments. And then there is Irish food critic Trevor White, who detonated some bombs in his own path when he dared to make enemies simultaneously of both the international restaurant industry and the media in his recently published expose, Kitchen Con.

However, none of that seems to deter the wave of British culinary adventurers, who in the best Stanley and Livingston tradition, are determined to chart new culinary territory and damn the consequences. After all, what’s a little food poisoning or a lifetime of stomach-churning recall in the face of staunch English pluck?

The latest to join the explorer’s club is Tom Parker Bowles -- yes, the son of Camilla. ... CONTINUE READING

To be Filed in Media/Books

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LAST CALL FOR LISTING UPDATES OR CORRECTIONS TO OUR RESTAURANT 2007 ISSUE
See the details here.

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FLUNKING OUT AT OLD PUP (PARRY UNIVERSITY OF PUBLISHING)

Every time we see the portrait of Malcolm Parry (currently on the cover of Vancouver Magazine's 40th Anniversary Issue), we remember some of his famous maxims about the publishing industry. One in particular:

Never print a complimentary "Letter to the Editor". It makes you look insecure and desperate for validation - and besides, it's BORING! What people really want to read are the ones where someone is telling you that you don't know Jack $&*t about what you are doing. If you don't have any letters like that, then make up some insulting yourself.

Well, we think he was just adding the last bit for effect. However, being a good Parry disciple we present for your enjoyment our favourite kick-in-the-pants letter from last week. It's not insulting in the least, but does present another point of view about our cover.

"Hi Everyone at City Food. Just to note here that you have a great magazine and have enjoyed every issue. The last cover shot though did not do much for my appetite to say the least. The grey arial shot of the city made me think of cigarette butts, old hypos and used condoms, which of course are often found on the city streets and not very appetizing to say the least. Though just my personal oppinion I think a magazine on food should have cover images that stimulate the appetite and inspire one to think about food. For example, look at the cover shot for a couple seconds, then the image on page three. Which "tastes" better.... a plate on the streets.... or Shiraz and cheese? Mind you, I do see the concept behind the streets. I just think something more delicious to look at may have motivated me more to spend time seeking out these new kitchens. After all, it is really the gold we seek and not the rainbow that leads us there. : ) -- R Mackey, Vancouver.

Now we are going to break a second Parryism which is "Never defend, never explain". It makes you look like an even BIGGER wanker."

Keeping that in mind, here was our defense and explanation:

Hi R - Thanks for sharing your thoughts. It's always great (and constructively very helpful) to look at something from another's perspective. Condoms. That was a good one - never thought of that. Not to defend our cover - because it is what it is, but in 15 years of publishing CityFood we have never put a sexy shot of food on page one. Part of the reason for that is to differentiate us from every other "food" magazine that traditionally does this. We kind of like the fact that no one can ever predict what will show up there. The other reason is an attempt to make the visual statement that we are not so much a "food magazine" as a magazine that focuses on all the issues that surrounds our urban culture of eating, whether that be social, environmental, political, historical, etc. In fact, the name "CityFood" was originally coined to mean "we are the food (or fuel) that feeds the city" It's the same reason that we seldom print recipes. We want to make less of an issue about HOW a dish was constructed than WHY it was. Granted, none of this necessarily fits with the public's expectation about how we should be presenting ourselves, but it certainly does provoke some worthwhile reading in our email at times. :-) -- The Editor

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THE MEDIA HOUND

PLACES:

1) Italian Kitchen - Restaurant, Downtown., Vancouver
2) Deuce - Restaurant, Lonsdale, North Vancouver
3) Stage - Restaurant, Fernwood, Victoria
4) Transcontinental - Restaurant, Gastown, Vancouver
5) Steveston Pizza - Pizzeria, Steveston, Richmond
6) les amis du Fromage - cheese shop, Vancouver/West Vancouver
7) Phoscau Cafe - Cafe, North Vancouver
8) Players Chop House - Restaurant, Library/Stadium, Vancouver
9) Kolachy Co - Bakery, Library/Stadium, Vancouver
10) Shashuka - Eastside, Vancouver

THINGS:

1) Chef Meets Grape
2) City Dine BC
3) BC ice wine
4) private liquor stores in Vancouver
5) sake on Granville Island

MOST INEXPLICABLE CONNECTION:

who is Bob Blumer's wife

NUMBER OF COUNTRIES LOGGING IN: 125
NUMBER OF CITIES WORLDWIDE (visiting yesterday): 96. Number 96 was Sydney, Australia.