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
