Quady Dessert Competition – 22nd Year
This year marks the 22nd Anniversary of the Quady Dessert Competition, a unique event in British Columbia.
Originally created as a special event of the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival, and still an integral part of the Festival 22 years later, the Quady Dessert Competition enjoys participation from serious pastry chefs from all over British Columbia. The top three winners, as well as the final winning entry, are announced during the Festival, at the Friday Trade Awards Luncheon (April 23, 2010; tickets to this event are available through the Playhouse Wine Festival box office: 604-873-3311).
The Competition is open to local restaurants, hotels and culinary schools across the province.
Each year a wine from Quady’s portfolio is chosen as the focus product that each dessert is paired with. For 2010, Quady Elysium, a sweet wine produced from Black Muscat grapes, has been chosen as the feature wine; the desserts are judged on taste, technique and pairing with Elysium. The actual Competition occurs Saturday & Sunday, March 27 & 28, at Major the Gourmet’s kitchen [102-8828 Heather St., Vancouver; media coverage opportunities available]. For 2010, an esteemed list of judges has been chosen to evaluate how each dessert pairs with the Elysium wine; some of the confirmed judges are: Andrew Morrison, Westender Nsp.; Ned Bell, Exec. Chef, Cabana Bar & Grill(Kel.); Alana Peckham, Exec. Chef, CRU; Bruno Feldeisen, PICA (former Pastry Chef @ Lumiere); Steve Hodge, Pastry Chef, Beach House; Sylvain Cuerrier, Exec.Chef, River Rock Casino. As well, the 2009 winner, Nadin Buehrer of Thomas Haas Fine Chocolates & Patisserie, will be a judge for the 2010 Competition.
The 2010 First Prize Winner will fly from Vancouver to Fresno to join Laurel and Andrew Quady for 5 days of wine, food and adventure, June 17-21,2010, including a winery tour, tasting & dinner, plus a trip to Yosemite National Park mountain house ‘Falcon’s Nest’. 2nd & 3rd Prize winners receive a selection of Quady Winery products; all other Top Ten entrants receive a certificate of achievement.
The entry deadline for the 2010 Quady Dessert Competition is March 15, 2010.
Quady Winery was named “USA Producer of the Year 2009” by The International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC), which awards wineries commending the achievements of those members of the wine and spirit trade who make an outstanding contribution to the industry. [http://www.iwsc.net]
For entries into the 2010 Quady Dessert Competition, please contact Wendy Taylor at planitbc@telus.net or 604-764-9071
For further information on Quady and their products, please see www.quadywinery.com
Dining Out for Life at Trafalgar’s Bistro
We wanted to let you know that we’re operating with a ‘business as usual’ policy – no marked-up prices, no automatic gratuity, and street parking is ample and free. e hope to see you soon…and GO CANADA GO!
Giving has never tasted so good! Trafalgars Bistro is a proud supporter of Dining Out for Life. n Thursday, March 25th we will be donating 25% of our daily food revenue to this wonderful charity that helps those living with HIV & AIDS. Chef Beltrano will be making mouths water with a special 3 course prix fixe menu for $35. All you have to do to help is join s for a night of fantastic food, wine & company (see menu below). Reservations recommended.
If you like local cheeses, meats & condiments, you’re going to love The Mouse & The Butcher atTrafalgars Bistro. Join us from 4pm Mon- Sat for a cheese or charcuterie plate featuring a rotating selection of B.C. products. Now there’s a elegant venue in the West Side to get your evening fix of the best things in life. Pair up your choices with our 2 oz wine pours, and you get your own personalized wine & cheese tasting!
Also, if you know of any ‘hidden gem’ local producers or have any favourites, send ‘em our way and they might be one of our monthly suppliers! Starting in March, we’ve got exceptional products from Little Qualicum Cheeseworks and Oyama Sausage Co. See ‘feature menus’ tab on our website for full list details.
Dining Out for Life
Thursday March 25, 2010
Fettuccini & Meatballs
~minted tomato sauce,piave,olive oil~
or
Roasted Portobello Mushroom
~frisee, balsamic glaze, goat cheese dressing~
or
Rare Seared Albacore Tuna
~celeriac puree, red pepper salad~
* * *
Duck Confit
~green lentils, roasted carrots, red wine jus~
or
Braised Beef
~hand cut pappardelle, shiitake mushroom cream~
or
Sooke Trout Fillet
~pommes boulangere, sauteed spinach, almond pesto~
* * *
Triple Chocolate Mousse or Passion Fruit Flan or Creme Brulee
3-couse Prix Fixe $35
Vegetarian entree available if pre-ordered
Wine Pairings (Opt) $28
1st course: choose Tantalus Riesling or Joie Rose
2nd course: choose Burrowing Owl Pinot Noir or Quails Gate Cab Sauv
3rd course: Taylor White Port
Rombauer Estate Wine Dinner at Lumière – Monday March 22
This event celebrates the culinary talents of Chef MacKay, and the rich winemaking history of the Rombauer family – proprietors of Rombauer Estate Winery, one of the Napa Valley’s most pedigreed wineries.
Please join us March 8th as Dale and Pastry Chef Celeste Mah create a truly extraordinary food and wine experience to celebrate the coming of spring.
Our special guest for the evening and Kevin Van Hullebush’s co-host will be Jeff Curry of Lanigan and Edwards Wine Merchants. Wine dinners sell out quickly so reserve early.
The new wine dinner series events will take place only on Monday nights when Lumière is otherwise closed for private parties. Wine Dinner guests then, have our beautiful 45-seat jewel box of a restaurant all to themselves.
Chef MacKay’s Rombauer Estate Wine Dinner Menu
Cornmeal Crusted Qualicum Bay Scallops,
Apple Truffle Coleslaw, Brisket, Parsnip Puree, Scallop Jus
Rombauer Chardonnay
Poppy Seed Crusted Pacific Black Cod,
Spiced Carrot Flan, Black Trumpets, Red Wine Jus
Rombauer Merlot
Opal Valley Rack of Lamb,
Smoked Paprika Crust, Stewed Eggplant,
Confit Peppers, Minted Yogurt Sauce
Rombauer Cabernet
Caraibe Mocha Bar
Hazelnut Feuilletine, Espresso-Caramel Ice Cream
Rombauer Zinfandel
$95 per person wines included
Winemaker’s Notes
Rombauer Chardonnay, 2007: Rombauer Vineyards’ Carneros Chardonnay is rich and full-bodied with peach, apple, and mango aromas and flavors. The creamy texture of asian pears and peaches glides across the palate and the light oak tones highlight the wine’s complex and lingering finish.
Rombauer Zinfandel 2006: Rich, vibrant, and juicy, this wine boasts aromas of cherry and wild berry, with soft notes of black pepper. Tightly packed layers of cranberries, wild berries, and ripe cherries flow together with a touch of allspice for a rich, full flavor. Moderate tannins show in the rich, mouth filling finish.
Rombauer Merlot 2005: Bursts with cherry, ripe plum, and spice aromas. Tannins are deftly interwoven through a core of plum, with layers of dark berries shaded with hints of cocoa. The wine lingers on the palate with fruit and moderate tannins. It drinks well now but will further improve with age
Rombauer Cabernet Sauvignon 2004: Rich, concentrated wine that exhibits layers of plums, black cherries, and blueberries that are well integrated. The wine shows ripe fruit flavors of black cherries and plums that are nicely balanced with light vanilla and oak from barrel aging. This is a fruit driven Cabernet Sauvignon that has the tannin structure to last many years, but drinks well now.
About Rombauer Vineyards
Rombauer Vineyards was founded in 1982 by Koerner and Joan Rombauer and sits on a tree covered knoll overlooking the Napa Valley. The winery features caves that extend for over a mile into the hillside.
The caves provide a constant temperature and humidity which result in optimum conditions for aging our wines. Rombauer Vineyards emphasis on the joy of wine comes from the heritage of the Rombauer family.
Koerner’s ancestors made wine in the famous Rheingau region of Germany. Every family member is actively involved in the day to day operations of the winery. For more information visite www.rombauer.com
Cassini Cellars at db Bistro
On Monday March 8th, db bistro welcomes Cassini Cellars. Four course dinner with paired wines for $75 per person.
Chef Istel’s Inspired Menu
- Alsatian Tarte Flambee - Cassini Gewurztraminer 2007
- Dariole of King Fish Seviche, Avocado Mousse, Spot Prawn Tempura, Cucumber and Tomato Sauce Vierge - Cassini Reserve Chardonnay 2008
- Traditional Coq au Vin, Bacon, Wild Mushroom, Spaetzle - Cassini Maximum 2007
- Apple Tart Confit, Fromage Blanc Ice Cream - Blind Tasting from db Cellar
See the event page for winemaker’s tasting notes and additional details. Tax, gratuities extra.
Credit card reservation at booking. Please inquire via email or call 604.739.7115 RESERVE NOW
Cru Winemaker’s Dinner Painted Rock
CRU Celebrates Success of Okanagan’s Painted Rock with Winemaker’s Dinner
On Sunday, March 7 2010, Vancouver’s CRU Restaurant will present an intimate winemaker’s dinner featuring BC’s Painted Rock winery. The four-course dinner will give guests a chance to discover why Painted Rock rose above tough competition to be named Best New Winery at this year’s Okanagan Fall Wine Festival.
Located on the eastern shore of Skaha Lake, Painted Rock is named for ancient pictographs (rock drawings) made by native Canadians on the property. Everything else about the winery, however, is brand new: the vines were planted in 2005 and 2006, the winery buildings just completed this autumn, and it’s furnished with the state-of-the art winemaking equipment and uses only 100% new oak barrels.
The dinner at CRU will give Vancouverites a chance to see what all the buzz is about. Painted Rock’s proprietor, John Skinner, will host the event, sharing his passion for wine and his insight into what makes his wines so special.
The Painted Rock wines will be paired with a four-course dinner that will show them to their best advantage.
Painted Rock Winemaker’s Dinner
Sunday, March 7 2010
6:30 pm
$85 per person (exclusive of taxes and gratuity)
CRU Restaurant
1459 West Broadway, Vancouver
