TOMATO FRESH FOOD CAFE TO OPEN SOON IN A NEW LOCATION
(Edited from the press release)

While the giant tomato is coming down from over the door at Cambie and 17th at the end of May, it will rise again in early June at 2486 Bayswater – the new home of the Tomato Fresh Food Café Off-Broadway.

After contending with Canada Line issues on Cambie for most of 2006, the move from the cafe's former venue of 16 years has owner Christian Gaudreault's spirit soaring. “This new location really fits so well with what the Tomato Fresh is all about, "said Gaudreault. "We have many friends along the Cambie corridor and now we will be welcoming a whole new set of neighbours at the Broadway location.�

Having fully renovated the heritage space that was built as a grocery in the 1930s, and previously occupied by Fiasco’s, the new Tomato Fresh has added skylights that fill the 120-seat room with natural light, a centerpiece wine room and a pair of towering indoor fig trees.

What will not change is the Tomato Fresh Food colour palate of reds and yellows and their commitment to local seasonal ingredients sustainably sourced and served at a fair price. Organic greens from Abbotsford, potatoes from Pemberton, organic beef from Merritt, Ocean Wise seafood selections, hand-picked BC wines and in-house baking will remain at the heart of the Tomato Fresh Food Café off Broadway.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

RICK CHOY IS NEW EXECUTIVE CHEF AT THE HOTEL GRAND PACIFIC
(Edited from the press release)

Chef Rick Choy has been chosen to lead the award-winning kitchen at the Hotel Grand Pacific, located in Victoria's Inner Harbour. With team members Michael Minshull, Restaurant Chef, and Ian Goard, Sous Chef, Chef Choy will add his personal flare to the hotel's tradition of showcasing a fresh and flavourful Island-inspired palate.

Chef Choy's influence has already been felt, and tasted, in The Pacific Restaurant, where as the hotel's Sous Chef he introduced Dim Sum to the weekend brunch menu. His new take on afternoon tea
blends the spices of Pacific Pan Asia and the flavours of the westcoast with a selection of the world's fine teas. In the hotel's fine dining room, The Mark, his menus will evolve regularly and focus on the bounty of local, seasonal produce.

Executive Chef Choy has worked in mainland China and in Victoria, where he was recognized as Chef of the Year in 2003. He is a recipient of the Victoria Chef & Cooks Association President's Award, and is both a gold and silver medalist in the Victoria Culinary Salon. Chef Choy first joined the culinary team at the Hotel Grand Pacific in 2005.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DRUG STORE CHAIN MOVES TO HEALTH FOODS
(Quoted from the Globe and Mail - May 5, 2007)

The new chief executive officer at Shoppers Drug Mart Corp. wants to put a bigger push into health and organic food, taking on supermarket chains and specialty stores in the increasingly lucrative field. Jurgen Schreiber said that his people are scouring Europe and North America for healthy foods to add to Shoppers private label line, with a big launch expected by the end of the year. The fare is aimed at an aging and more health-conscious population. He'll step up health food offerings - although stop at carrying fresh foods - in a bid to become a leading destination for the fare. "We want to own it."