As a part of the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival, on April 23rd I attended this 7th annual awards lunch that was full of restauranteurs, sommeliers, wine makers, and other interested folk. Since New Zealand and Argentina were both the theme countries of this years festival, the lunch featured a variety of food from both New Zealand and Argentina. I sat at the host table of New Zealand wine producer Ngatarawa with Alwyn Corban the Proprietor & Chief Winemaker.
Argentina Station-Grilled Skirt Steak
From the Argentina station, my favourites were the Grilled Skirt Steak with Salsa Criolla and the Chicken Asado Ensalada.
New Zealand station
From the New Zealand station, my favourites were the Mozzarella Caprese with Avocado Oil, Asparagus and Morel Risotto and the Veal Cheek Agnolotti with Blue Cheese Cream.
NZ station cooking the Risotto
New Zealand foods and Wine pouring in the background
When it came time for dessert, some of the Argentinean favourites that sounded good such as the Hot Chocolate Demitasse with mini Churos were quite disappointing. It seemed as the Chefs at the Vancouver Convention Centre didn’t know how to prepare the desserts from Argentina or New Zealand.
The winners of this years awards are listed here
By: Richard Wolak