Quick Conversations In Wine – Amber Pratt from Moraine Winery The Vancouver International Wine Festival is on and we’ve interviewed a few of the attendees that you can meet at the 2024 Festival. Here’s our Q +A with Moraine Winery’s Amber Pratt from Moraine Winery on the Naramata Bench in the Okanagan Valley. More on the Wine Festival here. A background in Horticulture led Amber to the Okanagan to join the wine industry more than 10 years ago. A quick learner, she rose through the ranks with vintages at Road 13 and Black Hills wineries in the South Okanagan. As Winemaker…
Author: cassandra
Bar Stars Hit Vancouver for Vancouver Cocktail Week March 3-10 From March 3 to 10, meet the stars behind some of the world’s best bars at VCW popups, guest shifts, seminars and the can’t-miss Green Garden Gala. The third annual Vancouver Cocktail Week is thrilled to welcome some of the world’s most talented bartenders — many honoured by the World’s 50 Best Bars — for an unprecedented opportunity to enjoy their cocktails, learn from their experiences and raise a glass (or two) together. Among them is the legendary Jesse Vida, famous from NYC’s The Dead Rabbit (named World’s Best Bar…
Sunday Seafood Boils for Two on Main Street Smitty’s Oyster House’s Chef Alan Older is now offering Seafood Boils at the Mount Pleasant hotspot. Beginning at noon and continuing every Sunday throughout the spring and summer, Chef Older and his culinary team will unfurl a net of fresh-caught seafood including jumbo prawns, mussels, clams, chorizo, potatoes and corn perfectly seasoned, sauced and presented on one of Smitty’s signature wooden serving boards for $50 plus tax. “I took my cues for this new menu feature from the sort of ‘low country’ boils where guests gather round the table and get their fill of the…
Chocolate All Day – From Simple to Decadent, 100+ Recipes For Everyone’s Favorite Ingredient By Steven Hodge Calling all chocolate lovers, here’s the book for you – 100 rich, delicious, yet accessible recipes for baking with chocolate all day long! Chocolate All Day is from Temper Pastry owner, chocolatier, pastry chef, and TV star, Steven Hodge, who appeared Food Network Canada’s Great Chocolate Showdown. Chef Hodge shares his recipes with home bakers so we can create some gooey goodness with this delectable ingredient. In addition to recipes, the cookbook gives plenty of advice on buying, storing and working with chocolate.…
Glenfiddich makes Valentine’s Day sweet with cocktails and gifts for the perfect celebration. Valentine’s Day celebrations are the perfect time to toast to your love with a sultry scotch cocktail. This year’s mid-week Saint Valentine’s celebration calls for a luxurious dinner, and Canada’s favourite single malt scotch whisky, Glenfiddich, is pouring their hearts into romantic scotch serves sure to leave loved ones with a lasting impression. Whether cooking up a delectable candlelit dinner at home or presenting a loved one with a thoughtful display of roses, Canadians will show what their heart desires this Valentine’s Day by including their favourite…
Chef Michel Jacob will be handing the keys to Le Crocodile colleague Chef Rob Feenie After four decades, one of Vancouver’s most celebrated and acclaimed chefs, Michel Jacob, will hang up his apron at his venerable Le Crocodile one last time on April 30, 2024. Jacob will hand the keys to his long-time friend and colleague Rob Feenie, whom he considers family. Feenie will take the reins and re-open the restaurant as Le Crocodile by Rob Feenie early this summer. “It is time for a well-deserved retirement,” says Jacob. “I am so happy to have found a remarkable successor —…
Les Dames d’Escoffier BC Chapter’s Scholarship Program the Beneficiary of Rosé and Bubbles Wine Tasting Toby’s Liquor Store Hosts Rosé and Bubbles Wine Tasting Supporting Women in Hospitality On Tuesday, February 13 Toby’s Liquor Store on Commercial Drive will present an evening of Rosé and Bubbles with partial proceeds benefiting Les Dames d’Escoffier British Columbia’s scholarship program for women in hospitality. Celebrate romance, or the lack thereof, with an evening with friends or your favourite lover, lovers, or loved ones. Meander up the store’s stairs to sample an array of bubbles and rosés, including Champagne, Prosecco, Sangria, Cava, BC Bubbles…
Les Dames d’Escoffier BC Chapter Scholarships Open for 2024 Press Release – Les Dames d’Escoffier BC Scholarship Applications are open to persons who identify as women in BC, to obtain scholarships to further their careers in culinary, beverage, agriculture, aquaculture, and other hospitality fields. The BC chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier has up to $18,000 to award this year. Eligibility Scholarships are open to BC women of any age and at any stage of their career who are looking to refine or expand their expertise at a credible educational institution of their choice anywhere in the world. Scholarships are awarded…
Unveiling The Dalmore’s Iconic Masterpiece Whisky Collection at Fairmont Empress Enter the world of whisky with an unforgettable five-course tasting experience On Friday, January 19, prepare for an evening of whisky immersion and culinary discovery as Fairmont Empress proudly presents, ‘The Dalmore: The Making of a Masterpiece.’ The hotel invites guests to be a part of an exclusive whisky-tasting experience set in the rich ambience of the Bengal Lounge. Indulge in a five-course dinner thoughtfully paired with finely aged whiskies from the renowned Dalmore distillery. For 185 years, The Dalmore has been at the forefront of whisky craftsmanship, blending tradition…
Provence Marinaside’s Dine Out Menu and Wines from Vancouver Island’s Unsworth Vineyards For this year’s Vancouver Dine Out Festival, Provence Marinaside is partnering with the Vancouver Island winery Unsworth Vineyards to create a ‘Perfect Pairing’ three-course dinner featuring some of Provence’s classic French dishes paired with signature wines from Unsworth. The three-course dinner is available for $59 per person with the optional wine pairing available as either a regular pour for $40 for three wines or petit pour at $25 for three wines. Wines are also available individually by the glass or the bottle. “Dine Out is a small slice…
Go For Dinner and Stay the Whole Night at Versante Hotel The legendary annual Dine Out Vancouver Festival isn’t just for Vancouver anymore. For a second year, Versante Hotel, Richmond’s luxury boutique hotel and lifestyle club offers a chance to sample the elevated West Coast cuisine of Bruno and the Japanese-inspired bites at Cask Whisky Vault. Specially priced menus, offered from January 17 to February 4 — plus the option to create a staycation through an overnight visit — make these premium experiences more accessible than ever before. Bruno 3-Course Lunch Lean into coastal goodness at midday, with a choice of…
The Westin Bayshore is the Ultimate Dine Out Vancouver Experience Find unforgettable dining experiences at unbeatable prices at H2 Kitchen + Bar and H Tasting Lounge, plus an urban staycation option, at Vancouver’s finest waterfront resort It’s the most wonderful time of the year — for foodies! Destination Vancouver’s beloved Dine Out Vancouver Festival brightens this and every winter with options to try decadent multi-course meals at unbeatable prices, from January 17 through February 4. The Westin Bayshore’s renowned dining destinations are proud to participate in the city’s largest and most popular annual dining event. H2 Kitchen + Bar 3-Course…
Bookings Launch for Dine Out Vancouver Diners can now book their tables for the 2024 Dine Out Vancouver Festival. The complete list of restaurants and their menus are now available on dineoutvancouver.com and reservations can be made through the site. This season features the largest number of participating restaurants to date, with over 380 venues taking part to showcase delectable multi-course meals within one of the Festival’s three fixed-price menu ranges: $20-34, $35-$49, or $50-$65. The 19-day Festival runs from January 17 to February 4, 2024. Canada’s largest food and drink celebration attracts the attention of local and international food…
Vancouver International Wine Festival Celebrates Wines from Italy The 45th Vancouver International Wine Festival returns for an eight-day celebration of wine and food, February 24 to March 3 at the Vancouver Convention Centre and other venues around Metro Vancouver. The 2024 festival features 149 wineries participating in 42 events. This year, the spotlight shines on wines from Italy, with 71 wineries from 13 regions in attendance, showcasing their wines in 22 Italian-theme events. Upcoming ticket on-sale dates: Winery dinners go on sale Wednesday, January 3 at 9:30 a.m. All remaining public events go on sale Wednesday, January 10 at 9:30…
FROM DAWN TO DUSK: FAIRMONT HOTEL VANCOUVER UNVEILS LUNAR NEW YEAR WITH IMMERSIVE AFTERNOON TEA, NEW EVENING LOUNGE CONCEPT The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver has introduced Lunar New Year at the Castle, with the return of Notch8’s immersive Themed Afternoon Tea and the debut of an evening lounge concept, Moonlight Lounge, inspired by The Year of the Dragon. With the room design by Koncept Designs, the salon has been brought to life as a sensory setting and the backdrop for a fully immersive experience from day to night. Notch8 Executive Chef Danai Hongwanishkuhl’s Lunar New Year Afternoon Tea menu will be available for $69.00 per person ($34.50 for children…
Pop Open a Bottle of BC Bubbles to Ring in the New Year What will be in your glass to celebrate the New Year? Here are a few bottles of BC Bubbles that I’ve sussed out for y’all. More on Imbibements Chronos Brut Non-Vintage A combination of 80% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir grapes that were hand sorted, whole bunch pressed, and then fermented separately with some lees stirring before blending and finishing in the Charmat method. You’ll find some granny smith apple, ripe pear, and citrus notes on the nose. Apple, lime peel and some slight toasty notes predominate…
Pair holiday traditions like fireside chats, bonfires, or festive dinners with Gibson’s Finest, an award-winning Canadian whisky that’s full of character. Indulge in flavour and treasured traditions this holiday season! Festive cheer fills the air, it’s that magical time of the year when twinkling lights, heartwarming gatherings, and cherished customs take centre stage. This season, add an extra ounce of character to quintessential festive rituals with Gibson’s Finest Canadian Whisky. Picture your favourite holiday traditions like heartwarming fireside chats, cozy outdoor bonfires, entertaining movie marathons, cheerful tree decorating or festive holiday dinners with your finest friends and family. More Cocktails…
Fiorino Bib Gourmand winner’s Cena (dinner) menu features regional, seasonal Italian fare from across Italy Fiorino Italian family-style menu features fare from several regions. Florence’s premier street food is forefront and the restaurant’s signature dish: Coccoli e Prosciutto (deep-fried dough “pillows” served with aged, 18-month Prosciutto di Parma and whipped Stracchino cheese) is a must-try. [slideshow_deploy id=’51627′] Other specialties on the Fiorino Dinner menu include Arancini (roasted artichoke and Gorgonzola dolce risotto crocchette, white onion sauce, Parmigiano); Insalata Caterina (charred treviso and radicchio salad, Pecorino Toscano dressing, candied pistachios); Panzanella (chopped vegetable salad, pumpkin seeds, spiced preserved figs, compressed cucumber,…
Clé de Peau’s Latest Innovative Products Founded in Japan in 1982, Clé de Peau Beauté (“The Key to Skin’s Beauty”) was created to push the boundaries of skin cell science, maximizing skin’s natural radiance. Through this intensive research, Clé de Peau Beauté’s scientists uncovered an insight, Skin Intelligence, that inspired their philosophy and approach: Like the mind, human skin is “smart,” discerning between positive (nutrients, sleep, moisture) and negative (pollution, stress, dryness) stimuli to maintain its optimal condition. Since this discovery, the scientists in Clé de Peau Beauté’s laboratories have focused on developing innovative products that amplify Skin Intelligence: finding…
Festive Cheesecake for the holiday table Anna Olson, Canada’s baking sweetheart selected the country’s Top 5 cheesecakes that are perfect for the holidays, or any day really including a velvety matcha cheesecake, a no-bake gingerbread cheesecake topped with salted caramel, a festive pear cranberry cheesecake, a cheesecake swiss roll, and a triple gingerbread cheesecake made by former lawyer-turned-baker, Maggie Frith, which Anna named the best cheesecake of 2023. Serving any one of these mouth-watering cheesecakes will be sure to put you and your readers on the nice list this holiday season! Gingerbread Cheesecakes with Ginger Whipped Cream Recipe by Maggie…
