Jameson 2017 St. Patrick’s Day Limited Edition Pick up a bottle of the Limited Edition Jameson Irish Whisky and you’ll find it contains the same premium, internationally-adored classic Jameson Irish whiskey, but with a truly original label with a very cool story behind it. The label design illustrates the traditional Jameson family motto, Sine Metu; to live without fear – providing a way to encourage people to openly embrace new experiences, as well as steer away from the well-trodden paths in life in favour of forging your own. The Jameson St. Patrick’s Day limited edition bottle is available at BC Liquor this…
Author: cassandra
3 Renowned Vancouver Restaurants celebrate French Gastronomy on March 21st What are you doing next Tuesday night? If you enjoy French Food done well it would be a good time to make a reservation. We’re torn! For the third consecutive year, over 2000 restaurants in 150 countries will participate in the #GoodFrance event to celebrate French gastronomy. They will prepare a special menu one night only and there’s three in Vancouver participating. The event is orchestrated by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development and chef Alain Ducasse, and was inspired by Auguste Escoffier, who launched the “Dîners…
Wedding Prep Just Got Real – The Imperfect Bride’s Guide to a Near Perfect Wedding If you follow me you may have noted that we are getting married this year, as I have mentioned perhaps a few too many times? It creeps into all aspects of our lives, but Michael and I don’t mind it at all as we are really looking forward to this celebration and both of us vowed not to get (too) stressed out, try to make everything perfect or go over the top. Our budget isn’t huge and we’re spending most of it on our shoes.…
Get Loads of Healthy Vegetables With This Veggie Gratin This veggie gratin can be served as a meal, perhaps with some crusty bread, or a side if you would prefer. It’s fun to have individual servings and you could always use kidney or white beans instead of chickpeas, and switch up the spices a bit. Roasting veggies really brings out the flavour and don’t forget the vinegar for a splash of acidity! Ingredients 3 tbsp olive oil 12 tiny new potatoes, quartered 3 medium parsnips, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces 3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces…
India Rose Educates Clients on Makeup That Works India Rose Cosmeticary is a Vancouver-based makeup boutique offering luxury beauty products, makeup services and lessons. Founded by makeup artist India Daykin, India Rose specializes in the ritualistic side of beauty regimes, ensuring each client’s experience is tailor-made to their needs. Located 4850 Mackenzie St. in Vancouver it’s worth checking out. We caught up with India to ask her a few questions about make up and since I have a wedding coming up, bridal make up in particular. She also did a natural look for me while we chatted and I left glowing!…
Healthy Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes I’ve been on a course to get healthy and have been lucky enough to meet Nutritionist Ashley Freeman in the process. She’s got some great nutrition tips and my meetings with her are always beneficial I’ve learned a lot from her and it’s often far more than just straight nutrition. I’ve added more protein to my regime and a lot more fresh veggies, fruit and fiber; she’s got some great recipes including this one for chocolate pancakes! Who can resist a healthy chocolate breakfast? If you are looking for extra help in your own journey…
What’s Good In And Around Vancouver Can’t believe is March already and also that it is snowing in Vancouver at the very same time. Ah well…..we’ll get spring soon enough, right? I’m hopeful! In any case, here’s a few suggestions to brighten up your day and give you something to look forward to. Get Your Honey at Beaucoup Bakery Spring makes an early appearance at Beaucoup Bakery & Café with a new star ingredient, local honey from Hives for Humanity. The golden nectar plays a sweet role in three seasonal pastries: Honey Banana Double Baked Croissant, Grapefruit Honey Tarragon Cheesecake,…
Locally Made Tempea Tempeh Makes a Tasty Alternative Protein For those that follow me (and I thank you!), you will know that I am an official BC and Alberta Pork Ambassador and that I cook a lot with pork and other locally-raised meats at home, however, not all my meals include meat, and I love my veggies too. I had heard of tempeh before, but had never cooked with it, or even seen it anywhere for sale until a local Vancouver company, Tempea, started selling it at Farmers’ Markets. Popsugar has a great article on the difference between tofu and…
Sun Peaks – Way More Than Snow I’ve been up to Sun Peaks a few times over the years, twice for the Wine Festival, once for a harvest dinner in the fall, another for a summer visit and recently, just before Christmas, for the Holiday Kick Off Weekend. Each time the resort gets better, with more to do and see, and with the new management at the Sun Peaks Grand Hotel and Conference Centre, the accommodation and cuisine is now top notch too. Just before Christmas we checked in and checked out the resort and there’s was certainly a lot going…
What to do in and around Vancouver this week? It’s been a busy couple weeks. We just got through another year of Vancouver International Wine Festival and were thoroughly impressed with the wines and the people we met behind them! Now we are onto the last week in February and I seriously can’t believe how fast the year is going. Best of the City – February 24 7-9 pm I’ll be here with Les Dames d’Escoffier as we are raffling off a wall of wine! Please buy a ticket or five to support our initiatives if you are there! Vancouver magazine’s…
Last Minute Valentine’s Day Suggestion Rocky Mountain Flatbread and Koko Monk Chocolates are delighted to present our second annual Valentine’s Day Menu for the Chocoholic featuring raw chocolate and Rocky Mountain Flatbread favourites. Rocky Mountain Flatbread’s Chef Oliver Zulauf has created a delicious three-course menu for Valentine’s Day that offers over 75 pizza and pasta combinations to choose from. Each course is paired with a handmade raw chocolate from Koko Monk Chocolates. Wake up your palate with La Petite Amour – a lemongrass, lime and sunny mango raw chocolate – paired with your choice of crisp fresh salad (fig & goat cheese, basil…
Valentine’s Day Treats Around Vancouver There’s a few sweets about town that I can’t help but wish I could indulge in, but I’m going to save my calories for dinner, as we’ve got a chef coming in to cook for us and the men looks superb! These items are definitely calling me though. Grounds For Coffee – Heart Shaped Cinnamon Buns Beta 5 Chocolate – Cream Puffs Temper Chocolate – Chocolate Hearts Thomas Haas – Cookie and Chocolate Box Ganache Patisserie – Cakes TWG Tea – Mon Amore Tea and Macarons Notte’s Bon Ton Bakery – Chocolate Hearts AND here’s a healthy…
TWG Valentine’s Day – Take Time For Tea Got plans for Valentine’s Day yet? On Friday we checked out Chef Cliff Hohl’s latest menu at TWG Tea and left very impressed with just how gorgeous and delicious the TWG Valentine’s Day menu was. I love doing afternoon tea here (TWG was previously the Urban Tea Merchant) as it gives me the chance to chat with a friend over a selection of fine tea, and what is always delightful treats; this meal was the perfect excuse to cozy up and catch up on a rainy afternoon. The menu begins with a Bain de Roses…
Temper Chocolate Hearts For Your Sweatheart We’ve suggested a few gifts that weren’t edible in our last post, but know you’d really never think of celebrating Valentine’s Day without chocolate. We headed to West Vancouver for dine out last month and had an excellent meal at Feast. As we wandered up the street we peered into Temper Chocolate and although it was closed, spotted some divine chocolates and were reminded of what a great little lunch and sweets spot Temper is. Be sure not to miss the cookies and chocolate milk! Temper’s owner, Chef Hodge, hails from West Vancouver and…
Valentine’s Day Treats That Will Last As Long As Your Love While I would never turn down chocolate, or flowers, there’s a couple items that I’d rather have this year. Here’s a few suggestion for those who deserve something special this Valentine’s Day. Moto Z Play Those who’ve seen me out lately may have noticed my newest tech accessory, the Moto Z Play and the Mods that come with it. I am loving this phone/camera/speaker/projector! That’s right you can actually turn your phone into a movie projector, boombox, battery, camera, and more, in a snap. AND the battery lasts for up to 50-hour…
Vancouver Events and Happenings I’ve been up at Kelowna Gold Medal Plates Culinary Championships this past weekend and was so impressed with the chefs and all their hard work, and have to give a big shout out to all the Okanagan college culinary students and recent grads who assisted them. What an hard working group of talented people! Congrats to Jinhe Lee of Foreign Concept in Calgary on the Gold. I’ll have a post up this week on the full competition. While in Kelowna I had some great family and friend visits, got my exercise, but didn’t really get out…
Chef Amanda Ray from O & B Canteen in Toronto The 2017 Canadian Culinary Championships will take place this weekend in Kelowna, BC February 3-4, 2017. The eleven competing chefs will be aiming for gold as they compete in three events over two days testing their skills, creativity and endurance. We caught up with Chef Amanda Ray from O & B Canteen in Toronto. Tell us a little bit about your restaurant and/or style of cooking. Canteen is a casual restaurant by Oliver & Bonacini Restaurants, located in the TIFF Bell Lightbox. Canteen is all about offering globally inspired dishes using locally sourced ingredients.…
Chef Garrett Thienes of Harvest Eatery and Fresh Market in Regina The 2017 Canadian Culinary Championships will take place this weekend in Kelowna, BC February 3-4, 2017. The eleven competing chefs will be aiming for gold as they compete in three events over two days testing their skills, creativity and endurance. We caught up with Chef Garrett Thienes of Harvest Eatery and Fresh Market in Regina. Tell us a little bit about your restaurant and/or style of cooking. We decided to open a 45-seat eatery and fresh market in rural Shanavon, SK. (pop. 1,700) and focus on creating dishes that were familiar…
Chef Joe Thottungal Coconut Lagoon Ottawa The 2017 Canadian Culinary Championships will take place this weekend in Kelowna, BC February 3-4, 2017. The eleven competing chefs will be aiming for gold as they compete in three events over two days testing their skills, creativity and endurance. We caught up with Chef Joe Thottungal Coconut Lagoon Ottawa for a few pre-competition questions. Tell us a little bit about your restaurant and/or style of cooking. Coconut lagoon is an Indian restaurant specialize in Kerala Cuisine opened in 2004. We were the first to bring Kerala Cuisine into the main stream and do authentic…
Chef Jesse Friesen – Pizzeria Gusto The 2017 Canadian Culinary Championships will take place this weekend in Kelowna, BC February 3-4, 2017. The eleven competing chefs will be aiming for gold as they compete in three events over two days testing their skills, creativity and endurance. We caught up with Winnipeg’s Chef Jesse Friesen of Pizzeria Gusto for a few pre-competition questions. Tell us a little bit about your restaurant and/or style of cooking. Our restaurant, Pizzeria Gusto in Winnipeg is a cozy welcoming Italian restaurant in the heart of river heights. We do authentic Italian with a mixture of traditional…
