Links to People Section Articles

PEOPLE - July 17, 2008
JAY JONES JOINS VOYA

A letter from Jay Jones ....

Effective immediately,

I have accepted the position of Mixologist and Head Bartender at Voya, Loden Vancouver, the newest venue within the Kor Hotel Group. As you know, the hotel has been under development and construction for some time now. The timeline is getting shorter to opening, and I have resigned as Bar & Beverage Manager with Donnelly Hospitality Management. I’m grateful for the last three years with DHM, helping to guide the evolution of several bar programs and to develop their ... CONTINUE READING ...


Filed in PEOPLE/Mixologists



MILESTONES - (May 31, 2008)
CLAUDE VIOLET

Tim Pawsey has passed on to us some sad news.

"Claude Violet, the former owner of Domaine de Chaberton Estates winery has died. He was truly a pioneer, as well as being utterly charming -- a bright light in the Fraser Valley."


From the Domaine de Chaberton website:

In 1975, Claude and Inge Violet, having sold their winery and vineyard in France decided to start afresh in the New World. The pioneer spirit was not new to the Violet blood line as Claude’s family had been in the wine business since 1644. After visiting California, Ontario and the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Claude and Inge purchased the land where the present site of the Domaine de Chaberton and the Bacchus Bistro are located.

Claude quickly became known as the “Mad Frenchman” when word spread that he planned on planting wine grapes in the Fraser Valley. People within the burgeoning wine industry in British Columbia scoffed at the idea of growing wine grapes in the rain drenched Fraser Valley but the shrewd Frenchman had done his homework. After doing much research, Claude had found that the property was located in a microclimate with weather conditions much like those that exists in northern France. ... CONTINUE READING...


Filed in PEOPLE/winemakers.

EMERGENCY NEWS - (March 25, 2008)
WINE INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS’ HOME GUTTED BY FIRE
Call to action among industry to help.

On Tuesday March 25, 2008, the family home of DJ Kearney and David Scholefield was destroyed by fire. A public plea is being made to assist the family, and a trust account has been established at the North Shore Credit Union. Donations can be made to the “Kearney/Scholefield Fire Trust,” account # 179986-04 at any branch of the North Shore Credit Union; those not on the North Shore can also donate. Email fire@ccltd.ca for instruction.

The occupants of the home: Kearney, Scholefield and Kearney’s two teenage sons Sean and Alex, escaped without major injury, but sadly, the family’s pet cat perished, and the home and its contents are ruined. The family has insurance, which will cover the basics, but as in any emergency situation, there are essential and immediate needs to take care of. ...CONTINUE READING...


Filed in PEOPLE/Sommeliers.

RESTAURATEURS/MANAGERS - (March 17, 2008)
RICARDO FERREIRA STEPS UP AS RESTAURANT DIRECTOR OF CINCIN

Ricardo Ferreira has been appointed as the new Restaurant Director of Vancouver's venerable Italian restaurant CinCin, bringing over 15 years of hospitality experience amassed in leading restaurants throughout Vancouver and the UK.

Previously, Ferreira was the Restaurant Manager of CinCin's celebrated sister restaurant Blue Water Cafe, where he was an integral member of the front-of-house team since 2002. For three-and-a-half years prior, he worked for Vancouver's Relais & Chateau designated Wedgewood Hotel. ... CONTINUE READING...


Filed in PEOPLE/Restaurateurs/Managers.




CHEFS - (March 11, 2008)
WHAT TO SAY TO A SUPERSTAR CHEF

The ripple effect to the recent news that Daniel Boulud will be converting Feenie’s into his own restaurant in Vancouver has been akin to someone dropping a boulder into a goldfish pond – quite a splash, not to mention a big surprise to all the indigenous fish. It even made the US gossip circuit via sites such as www.eater.com who quoted the Globe and Mail as quoted by CityFood. (Pushing New York into our number two city by readers stats position.)

Now the elbow jostling is to get an invitation to the press release/lunch “official company statement” event this Friday. ...CONTINUE READING...


Filed in PEOPLE/Chefs.




CHEFS - (January 18, 2008)
FRANCOIS GAGNON APPOINTED EXECUTIVE CHEF AT CINCIN
(Directly from the Press Release)

François Gagnon has been named the Executive Chef of Vancouver’s venerable CinCin Ristorante. A seasoned professional hailing from top restaurants throughout Quebec, France and Vancouver , Gagnon brings over 15 years of professional cooking experience to the helm of CinCin’s wood-fired kitchen. ... CONTINUE READING ...


Filed in PEOPLE/Chefs.