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Viva Italia presented by Oyama Sausage

cassandra — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 17:45:13 +0000

Dine InVancouver

If you are looking to avoid the crowds at your favourite restaurants during Dine Out Vancouver, visit Granville Island between Jan 19^th to Jan 22^nd for Viva Italia. Join Vancouver’s premiere charcuterie, Oyama Sausage, and Granville Island’s Duso’s Fresh Pasta & Sauces and Liberty Wine Merchants to celebrate the best of Italian cuisine with Viva Italia. Choose from an outstanding selection of charcuterie, pasta, sauces and cheese, and pair with hand selected wine. Tips on preparation methods and food and wine pairing are always provided by these businesses, take advantage of their wealth of knowledge when creating your own Viva Italia.

Oyama Sausage has a selection of 15 different fresh Italian inspired sausages made from duck, pork, chicken, turkey, beef, venison and elk. Choose from such delectables as Guanciale: incredibly flavourful cured pork jowl, Vino Cotto ham: roasted with wine

Musetto: a fresh sausage from the Veneto and Friuli regions of Northern Italy, seasoned with pepper, cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon, Porcetta: pork slow-roasted with fennel, garlic and rosemary or Cotechino: a spiced, fresh sausage from the Modena region. After selecting your sausages, head to Duso’s for pasta and sauce recommendations and then on to Liberty Wines for a great bottle of vino to complete your feast.

About Oyama Sausage
For five generations the family has been dicing, grinding and spicing to make the best sausages, hams and pates in Vancouver. Their passion is endless and their belief is that good food balances body and soul.

About Duso’s
Since starting on Granville Island in 1979, the Duso Family has been making authentic, home style Italian pastas and sauces carefully crafted from all natural ingredients.

About Liberty Wine Merchants

Liberty strives to give customers the best wine experience in the Vancouver area. Often recognized as the most popular wine retailer in the Lower Mainland, Liberty is dedicated to evolving its selection for wine lovers to enjoy.

Viva Italia takes place the weekend of January 19 – 22^nd at these three retailers on Granville Island. For more information please contact Oyama Sausage at (604) 327-7407.

Granville Island Farmers Market Gears Up For Another Sweet Season Beginning June 2

cassandra — Thu, 26 May 2011 17:44:15 +0000

Mark-et Your Calendar!

Summer is just around the corner and Granville Island is buzzing. Beginning June 2, green-thumb enthusiasts, health-conscious consumers and savvy shoppers will enjoy the fresh offerings of one of the city’s top open-air markets.

A cornucopia of home-grown plants and flowers will kick off the market finds in June. Discover the rich history and culture of the Island, next to scenic False Creek, and get inspired to create your own backyard paradise. If that isn’t enough to jump start your green thumb, behold an array of beautiful hanging baskets, a great way to decorate your outdoor space just in time for summer entertaining. From sweet strawberries and luscious red raspberries to crisp cucumbers and oversized summer squash, Farmers Market items go from farmhouse to your house in hours.

The Farmers Market on Granville Island is located at Triangle Square, from 9 am to 3 pm every Thursday, June to October. Monthly highlights include:

June: flowers, ornamental trees, hanging baskets
July: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, cherries, greens of every kind
August: peaches, plums, apricots, corn on the cob, even more greens!
September: apples, squash, pumpkins, still more greens!

Also, be sure to stop by the Public Market Table and check out our very own portable raised-bed vegetable garden, the Go-Gro-Garden. Vegetables grown will include radishes, carrots, beets, peas, beans, corn, tomatoes and peppers. The seeds were sown April 30 and the first sprouts are now showing. We anticipate radishes being ready for the first Farmers Market, June 2. As items mature we will sample them in the Farmers Market and use them to enhance our monthly prize baskets.

Feel good about supporting independent growers while taking in the sights and sounds of bustling Granville Island. After perusing the Farmers Market, grab lunch at the Public Market and wander down Railspur Alley to see local artists painting, weaving, and sculpting their creations. Stop to enjoy one of the many street entertainers, or toast the season at Granville Island Brewery – one of BC’s top microbreweries. Take the day to experience all that the Island has to offer, and in the evening discover a thriving nightlife with several acclaimed theatre companies that call Granville Island home.

Granville Island Public Market and The Net Loft are open until 7 pm, seven days a week. For more information about the Farmers Market, merchants and special events, visit granvilleisland.com.

Brewery Creek Beer Festival

cassandra — Sat, 07 May 2011 22:13:16 +0000

May 14, 2011 – Sadly, it’s the last day of VCBW, but what better a way to say goodbye for another year than by celebrating BC Craft Beer at the Brewery Creek Beer Festival!

BCBF: BC will be an epic afternoon showcasing the best of BC craft beer (20+ breweries confirmed and the list is still growing), with live music and djs, local food carts (Re Up and Beer Brats) and we’ll also be announcing the winners of the 2nd Annual BC Beer Awards. Taste beer from interior favourites such as: Tree, Okanagan Spring, Tin Whistle, Cannery, and Mt. Begbie; Island staples like Driftwood and Phillips, as well as Vancouver heavyweights Red Racer, Storm, and Granville Island, to name but a few. Come down and raise a glass to BC!

*Tickets include a VCBW taster glass, and 3 drink tokens – additional tokens $1.50. Hosted by the BC Regiment (DCO).

850 Tickets Available

$30 HST included

5th Annual Spot Prawn Festival

cassandra — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 03:28:50 +0000

Saturday, May 7th – 11am -3pm False Creek Fishermen’s Wharf (just west of Granville Island)

On Saturday, May 7^th, 2011, the city’s top chefs will prepare Canada’s largest Spot Prawn boil at False Creek’s Fishermen’s Wharf, benefiting The Chefs’ Table Society of British Columbia.

The festival kicks off the BC Spot Prawn season, which continues on for 6-8 weeks. During this time, you’ll have the opportunity to buy live, locally sourced, and sustainable prawns as the festival makes fresh, right off the boat, local sustainable Spot Prawns available for hundreds to taste. On May 7^th get inspired by chef cooking demos and grab your own bagful right off the fishing boats ($12 per lb) to recreate these dishes at home.

Participating chefs

Meet local chefs and fishermen at this fifth annual Spot Prawn boil and watch demonstrations from Vancouver’s top chefs. Dozens of Vancouver’s top chefs, such as James Walt, Araxi Restaurant + Bar; Rob Clark and Lee Humphries, C Restaurant; Rob Belcham, Campagnolo and refuel, Chef Anne Kirsebom; Quang Dang, Diva at the Met; Chris Whittaker, O’Doul’s at the Listel; Julian Bond, Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts and Mary Mackay, Terra Breads cook up prawns fresh for your plate, while others demo spot prawn dishes for you to try at home.

Fishermen’s Wharf Stage – May 7^th on the ½ hour from 11:30 am until 2pm

Ned Bell – Rosewood Hotel Georgia
Andrea Carlson – Bishop’s
Scott Jaeger – The Pear Tree
Hidekazu Tojo – Tojo’s
Alessandra Quaglia – Provence Mediterranean Grill
Wayne Martin – Crave on Main

Granville Island Market Stage – May 7th and 8th at 12, 1:30 and 3 pm

Hosted by Chef Stephen Wong with

John Bishop – Bishop’s
Tina Fineza – Flying Tiger, Les Faux Bourgeois, La Taqueria, Commune Cafe
Brandon Thordarson – 100 Days at the Opus Hotel
Neil Wyles – Hamilton Street Grill
Todd Bright – Wild Rice
Brendan Robson – Grouse Mountain

Fun for the whole family

This is a free family event with cooking demos and kids’ activities – There is no cost to come on site.

The Vancouver Aquarium provides kids with an exploration of fabulous fish and other cool creatures through hands-on activities and other family friendly events. Chefs demonstrate prawn recipes and sign cookbooks (look for the chefs in bright orange hats, collect the most signatures and win prizes!). Raffle tickets include stays at the newly refurbished Rosewood Hotel Georgia, a day out on a boat prawn fishing, dinner at C Restaurant and lunch at Hawksworth Restaurant.

What’s included?

Tickets for the Spot Prawn Boil are $10 each. This gets you:

Entrance into the food, wine, and beer tent
One plate of fresh-off-the-boat BC Spot Prawns, accompanied by sides, sauces and Terra Breads baked goods to mop it all up!
Sampling of Neck of the Woods Winery and Backyard Vineyards wines
Sampling of R & B Brewing craft beers
Sampling of farm-direct and family traded Mogiana coffee

Venue / logistics

Parking: Please note on May 7^th only PARKING IS OFF-SITE with a drop off zone at the bottom of 1^st Avenue and Creekside Drive. (map)

Get your tickets now!

Skip the line-up and buy your tickets in advance now: http://bit.ly/spotprawn

Edible British Columbia to Expand at Granville Island Public Market

cassandra — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 16:25:48 +0000

Edible At the Market will include an expanded artisan retail store, demonstration and production kitchen, as well as a new bistro and take-out window featuring market inspired dishes celebrating the best of BC and Canada.

Edible British Columbia is pleased to announce that it will be opening an expanded version of its original retail concept at Granville Island in the spring of 2011. The expansion will include an increased shopping presence showcasing the best artisan food products of BC and Canada, an impressive demonstration kitchen to welcome BC and Canada’s top chefs, and a tapas and wine bistro, specializing in the healthy classic dishes that exemplify market inspired cuisine. Additionally, the space will include a Gourmet-to-Go section, a take-away window, and a vibrant patio space.

Edible At the Market will be centered on the Retail Store, continuing to celebrate the best culinary product offerings from coast to coast. True to our roots and forever faithful to our local producers, Edible has a commitment to carry a minimum of 75% BC products, so customers will still be able to source all of the unique items created by our province’s dedicated culinary artisans.

The exciting addition of a permanent demonstration/ production kitchen will allow Edible to continue to expand on its popular Market Dinner Series with many of BC and Canada’s top chefs. This new space can accommodate up to 50 people, and is designed to operate separately while the rest of the business continues to run, making it ideal for afternoon tastings and seminars. When the kitchen is not being used for a private event, customers can watch Edible’s team creating delectable foods – available for purchase and enjoyment at home.

The wine and tapas themed bistro and take-away component will be a welcome addition to the Granville Island dining scene – at a very affordable price. Edible At the Market will operate from breakfast through dinner daily, with an ever-changing Market-dependant menu.

Our guiding philosophy At the Market is that if we can source the best ingredients possible in BC (preferably in Granville Island Public Market) we will, but we will also search coast to coast, looking for the best Canada has to offer. The goal is to have over 95% of our menu featuring Canadian food products. We will also be working with Oceanwise to create one of Canada’s most forward thinking and sustainable menus as we follow the fish through their seasonal runs.

Like the cuisine, the beverage program will showcase sommelier-selected BC and Canadian wines, craft beer, artisan spirits, ciders, and more. Teas will come all the way from across the street – from the Granville Island Tea Company.

The interior will be influenced by our west coast environment as well as tributes to the space’s former occupant, the Wood Co-Op. Celebrated Vancouver architect Gair Williamson has been retained to design the 3000 square foot space and celebrate all that is BC.

Edible BC will continue to offer our Guided Market Tours, Gourmet Kayaking Adventures, Culinary Concierge services, and other trips and events.

Our expanded space will provide us with an opportunity to showcase even more talent and create an even stronger food community both locally and nationally. This expansion will solidify Edible BC and Edible Canada’s position as the largest culinary tourism operation in the country. We will continue to cater to the locals (who still account for up to 70% of our business) while also welcoming visitors to our city, corporate clients, chefs, meeting and conference groups, families, and Market visitors.

Edible At the Market – Sightseeing for your tastebuds.

For more information:

Eric S. Pateman, MBA
President & Founder
(604) 812-9660

info@ediblebritishcolumbia.com

News from Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts

cassandra — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 20:19:19 +0000

Plugged-In Tour of Granville Island’s Artistry & History

Leaves Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts (PICA) 10AM every Friday – rain or shine.

Join PICA for a plugged-in Chef Instructor led walking tour of Vancouver’s historic and diverse Granville Island. Plug-in a headset and set out to experience this area’s breathtaking and seasonal ambience, savouring along the way a few of the wares of the market’s many globally influenced and locally impassioned artisans, farmers and food purveyors. We’ll show you what has made Granville Island both a sensory and historic delight.

Tour includes a PICA canvas tote, a to-go coffee or tea and, a freshly baked pastry courtesy of Bakery 101. Sweet or savoury we have the walking tour for you. For more information or to book your ‘Plugged-In’ Granville Island tour visit www.picachef.com, look under the short program tab or contact us at 604.734.4488, space is limited so book ahead.

Create a Cook!

Cooking 101 for Teens (Ages 12 – 18 years old)

Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts’ Cooking 101 for Teens class teaches more than just the basics. We’ll cover knife skills, kitchen safety, along with fundamental cooking techniques. We’ll expand their palate with a variety of tasting experiences and develop originality in their creation of menus along with the aesthetics of presentation. By day’s end your aspiring young cook will be able to identify, choose and cook with their new food choices. As with all of our hands-on cooking classes class size is small (maximum 12 students). To reserve your teens space call 604.734.4488 or book on-line at www.picachef.com.

Date: Saturday, October 30, 2010 Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Cost: $125.00 Plus HST

Includes: Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts apron, Bakery 101 student discount card

Create a Conscientious Diner!

Dining Room Etiquette’ (Ages 12 years & up)

Lead your teen by example over a four-course dinner hosted by our own ‘hospitality enthusiast’, Restaurant Instructor and Sommelier Tim Ellison. This is an opportunity to brush-up on your own dining and networking savvy whilst schooling your teen in the art of presenting oneself professionally at a dining room table. Communicating with style and confidence are an important factor in feeling comfortable in your own skin and it can never be too early to introduce this to your teen. The focus of the evening will be evoking etiquette in an interactive manner that extends beyond fork appropriateness. We believe the point of etiquette rules is to make you feel comfortable – not uncomfortable plus, the stellar wine pairings (19years and above only) don’t hurt either. To reserve your space call 604.734.4488 or book on-line at www.picachef.com.

Date: Wednesday, November 17th Time: 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM

Cost: $75.00 Plus HST – Optional Wine Pairings: $30 per person (plus HST – 19yrs & above)

Includes: Dining workshop, 4-Course Dinner with coffee or tea plus take home workbook.

Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts (PICA), founded in 1997, is one of Vancouver’s first accredited private culinary institutes to provide diploma programs in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts. As a designated WSET provider PICA offers Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced Wine Certificate programs. PICA operates Bistro 101, an 80-seat on-site gourmet restaurant, a bustling bakeshop and café – Bakery 101 and a professional Catering Department. PICA is Vancouver’s original hands-on cooking class purveyor and winner for the 5^th consecutive year of the Consumers’ Choice Award for Business Excellence. PICA is of elite status among culinary institutions in Canada and in being such continues to raise the bar.

PICA is situated at the gateway to Granville Island at 1505 West Second Avenue, Vancouver, BC. To contact us please call (604) 734-4488 or visit www.picachef.com.

SANDBAR’S FRESH CATCH William Tse Takes The Reigns as Executive Head Chef

cassandra — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 18:32:24 +0000

A unique location, stunning patio and mouthwatering fresh seafood have long defined the bustling hub under the Granville Street Bridge. This week, The Sandbar Seafood Restaurant on Granville Island adds fuel to its fire– with the announcement of William Tse as the newly appointed Executive Chef.

In a radical move, The Sandbar’s longtime Executive Chef Jason Kleinfeld has made the transition out of the kitchen and into front of house, as the new General Manager. Having matured with the restaurant since the opening in 2000, Kleinfeld has been hugely responsible for Sandbar’s success. Admitting these are big shoes to fill, Chef Tse is the first to suggest, “Jason built a powerful team, and an even more powerful menu. I look forward to pushing the boundaries and adding my own personal touch”. Watch out Sandbar patrons because this dynamic duo has caught a new wave of inspiration and is about to make a splash in the world of sought-after seafood.

With an extensive background in culinary arts, Chef Tse grew up in Toronto, absorbing the International cultures and global flavours of the metropolitan city. In 1992, moving to Vancouver to pursue formal training, Tse quickly learned the art of combining classical European techniques with his appreciation of Asian Cuisine. Within the short span of 5 years, Chef Tse progressed from a Cook’s Helper to a Red Seal certified Executive Sous Chef at Joe Fortes Seafood and Chop House. Proving his talent and drive, Chef Tse was then offered the Executive Chef title at Goldfish Pacific Kitchen, where he has thrived for the past three years.

The Sandbar is a 300-seat fresh seafood and fish restaurant in the heart of Granville Island. Perched over the waterfront with views from every seat; guests can enjoy the bustle of the market, the non-stop energy of False Creek, not to mention the soothing melody of live piano music Sunday through Thursday from 8:00pm. With renowned Master Sushi Chef Tsutomu Hoshi preparing dishes 7 days a week, coupled with the restaurants dedication to freshly landed catch, there is truly no place better equipped to cater to seafood lovers.

Granville Island Farmers Market June 3

cassandra — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 18:12:32 +0000

Summer is just around the corner and Granville Island is buzzing. Beginning June 3rd, green-thumb enthusiasts, health-conscious consumers and savvy shoppers will enjoy the fresh offerings of one of the city’s top open-air markets.

From sweet strawberries and luscious red raspberries to crisp cucumbers and oversized summer squash, Farmers Market items go from farmhouse to your house in hours.

The Farmers Market on Granville Island has a new location this year – Triangle Square, 9 am to 3 pm, every Thursday, June to October. Monthly highlights include:

Also, be sure to stop by the Public Market table to get in on the monthly draw for a Farmers Market Shopping Bag of Goodness.

Feel good about supporting independent growers while taking in the sights and sounds of bustling Granville Island. After perusing the Farmers Market, grab lunch at the Public Market and wander down Railspur Alley to see local artists painting, blowing, or sculpting their creations. Stop to enjoy one of the many street entertainers, or toast the season at Granville Island Brewery – one of BC’s top microbreweries. Take the day to experience all that the Island has to offer, and in the evening discover a thriving nightlife with several acclaimed theatre companies that call Granville Island home.

Granville Island Public Market and The Net Loft are open until 7 pm, seven days a week. For more information about the Farmers Market, merchants and special events, visit granvilleisland.com.

Granville Island’s ‘Twitter Personal Shopper’ Provides Gift-Giving Inspiration

cassandra — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 03:56:32 +0000

Clueless about holiday gifts? Granville Island has just the tweeter!

Starting today, November 30, the Island comes to the rescue of bewildered holiday shoppers everywhere with its own ‘Twitter Personal Shopper’.

Twitter – the real-time short messaging service with countless followers – is the perfect tool to share Granville Island’s myriad festive offerings. With an eye for style and a nose for deals, the ‘Twitter Personal Shopper’ will provide live tweets complete with photos of unique shopping finds sourced from all corners of the Island to bestow on followers.

This timely holiday helper is available to answer any questions followers may have, including the best spots to acquire handcrafted children’s toys, unique artsy collectibles, edible wonders and beautiful adornments.

In addition, the Granville Island tweet team and ‘Twitter Personal Shopper’ will provide updates about the many fun, family-friendly events happening every Saturday and Sunday in Triangle Square, from December 5 – 25. Alight your Yuletide spirit and enjoy music, performances, special events and kids’ activities in Vancouver’s cultural haven.

Granville Island’s ‘Twitter Personal Shopper’ is available November 30 – December 24. Follow us at Twitter.com/Granville_Isle.

Granville Island Public Market and The Net Loft are open until 7 pm, seven days a week. For more information about merchants and holiday events, visit granvilleisland.com.

Edible BC Market Dinner

cassandra — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:24:50 +0000

On Tuesday, November 10th, we are very excited to have Chef Afke Zonderland join us for our next Cooking with BC’s Best Market Dinner. And this evening is an EBC first – a gourmet, Raw Food Feast!

Afke exchanged her creative talent as kitchen designer for a chef’s jacket two years ago. Her passion for gourmet vegetarian food and a desire for abundant health naturally led her towards eating more un-cooked food. She is the creator behind the popular Krumbleez and Krackleez brands and continuously amazes participants in her Raw Gourmet workshops with how satisfying, filling and delicious Fresh, Living Food really is. Afke’s understanding of the value of eating, organically grown, minimally processed edibles forms the foundation of extraordinary beverages, meals and guilt free desserts. Her sincere enthusiasm to prepare and enjoy “the best food ever” is contagious.

Our demonstration-style Market Dinners take place in Granville Island, after hours, and allow you the unique opportunity to watch the chef prepare five seasonally-inspired courses in our open kitchen, right before your eyes. Enjoy your dinner with sommelier-selected wines from BC’s top wineries.

Afke has generously previewed her menu for us – yum!

Orange Onion Wafers ~ Spicy Kale Chips ~ Almondaise

Salsa Wrap

macadamia nut cheese, honey, tomato, red pepper, radish sprouts, greens

Creamy Carrot Soup

ginger, lime, avocado, fresh coconut

Winter Kale Salad, Onion Crisps

avocado, lemon, greens, red beet

Thai Vegetable Teriyaki

Asian vegetables, pineapple

Fresh Okanagan Apple Torte

ginger, cashew cream, filberts, dates

Date: Tuesday, November 10th, 2009
Time: 7:45 PM – 10:30 PM
Cost: $84.95 per person, plus GST and gratuity
Price Includes:

five course seasonal meal with BC wine pairings
recipes, photos and the opportunity to interact with

professional chefs up close and personal
15% off everything in the EBC store that evening,

and a 10% discount on future tours and events booked that night.

Tickets are going fast – you can book online, or by calling our office at 604.812.9660.