ssssss5

Archive for the ‘Culinary News’ Category

Chef Matthew Stowe Winner of Top Chef Canada

June 10th, 2013 admin

Chef Matthew Stowe — Winner – Top Chef Canada

The culinary scene in Vancouver is the best anywhere in Canada if not in North America, and as Chef Matthew Stowe said tonight we have the best of the best right here in our own back yard. I was honored to be invited to attend the Top Chef Canada Finale viewing party tonight at Cactus Club Café Coal Harbour where they threw one smashing party.

During the viewing party invited guests were treated to a taste of dishes from this past season of Top Chef Canada which Chef Matthew Stowe had prepared for the judges.

1st dish:

Curry Cauliflower Soup

Curry Cauliflower Soup with dried apricots, currants and toasted almonds

2nd dish:

Maple Leaf Slider

Maple Leaf Slider with maple pork patty, bacon and rickards beer jam, fresh apple slaw on a challah bun

3rd dish:

Roasted Banana & Coconut Tapioca

Roasted Banana & Coconut Tapioca with tropical fruits ad a macadamia nut crumble

Matthew Stowe is the second Vancouver chef to win during the three-year run of the Top Chef Canada tv show. Chef Dale MacKay took top spot in the first season. I interviewed Matthew Stowe a few weeks ago which gave me some insight into Matt’s goals and his career in the culinary world. Learn more about Top Chef Canada here, Chef Matthew Stowe is currently the Product Development chef for Cactus Club Café.

By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Culinary News, Latest Tags: , , , No Comments »

Cooking Stage at BC Home & Garden Show Feb 20-24

February 1st, 2013 admin

The 42nd annual BC Home + Garden Show, is taking place on February 20-24 at BC Place. I am truly excited to be one of the Emcee’s for the Home Cooking stage at this year show. There are several of our top local chefs participating leading cooking demonstrations including chefs Ned Bell, Chuck Currie and Victor Bongo, plus grill masters Brian Misko, Angie Quaale and Ron “Rockin’ Ronnie” Shewchuk.

Familiar fare is off the table at the Home Cooking Stage, where popular chefs like Ned Bell, Chuck Currie and Victor Bongo, plus grill masters Ron “Rockin’ Ronnie” Shewchuk, Brian Misko and Angie Quaale, will dish out their personal recipes for easy family meals and entertaining. Think all things spring, from BBQ and beer pairings to comfort food and healthy recipes, infused with local flavours and contemporary trends that easily transfer to any home kitchen.

If you would like to check out the action when I am the Emcee, then please join me the following dates:

Thursday, February 21

Chef Victor Bongo

7:00 PM – Chef Victor Bongo, presenting: ‘Cooking Local, Fresh & Healthy for the Family’

Emcee: Richard Wolak – Vancouver Foodster

Saturday, February 23

Chef Chuck Currie

11:30AM – Chef Chuck Currie, presenting ‘Easy Comfort’

Emcee: Richard Wolak – Vancouver Foodster

Chef Trevor Bird

2:00PM – Chef Trevor Bird, presenting ‘Stew it Up’

Emcee: Richard Wolak – Vancouver Foodster

Theme days include Family Day, BBQ & Beer, Comfort Food, and Eat Healthy, Eat Local

On Wednesday, February 20 at 6 pm: SHAW Cooking with Fire Chili Cook-off,  a rematch between firefighter duos previously featured on the popular SHAW TV series

On Thursday, February 21 from 12 pm to 5 pm: Family Day presented by Dominion Lending Centres, featuring kid-friendly cooking demos from Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver chef Ned Bell & son Max, Kale & Nori chef Jonathan Chovancek with Growing Chefs and The World in a Garden

SHOW DATES & TIMES

Wednesday, February 20, 2013 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Thursday, February 21, 2013 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Friday, October 22, 2013 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Saturday, February 23, 2013 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Sunday, February 24, 2013 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

BC Place Stadium, 777 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver, BC V6B 4Y8

ADMISSION

Adults $15

Seniors (60+) $12 or $5 Thursday and Friday before 5 p.m.

Children (12 and under) FREE

Buy tickets online and save $3 courtesy of HomeStars at www.bchomeandgardenshow.com

By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Culinary News, Great Ideas, Latest Tags: , , , , , No Comments »

Alex Chen goes to France Bocuse d’Or

January 21st, 2013 admin

Chef Alex Chen

On January 23, Chef Alex Chen will depart for Lyon, France to represent Canada in the world’s most prestigious culinary competition, the Bocuse d’Or. Chef Chen has spent the past 3 years preparing for this momentous occasion, he left his position as the Executive Chef at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Hollywood to pursue his life-long dream of representing Canada at the Bocuse d’Or.

Chef Alex Chen assisted by Chef Dan Craig (right)

I was fortunate to be invited to attend a media tasting yesterday at Chef Alex Chen’s private Bocuse d’Or Test Kitchen in Railtown. Alex presented his two dishes to the media, both were slightly modified due to trade secrets as he did not want his competitors to see the exact dishes he would be presenting before the actual competition.

The Fish Dish

The Fish Dish with Roasted Bone-in Turbot, Saffron Potatoes, Butter Poached Lobster, Lobster Hollandaise, Cauliflower Puree, Lobster Vinaigrette

The Meat Dish

The Meat Dish with Roasted Beef Tenderloin, Bone Marrow Roulade, Seared Foie Gras, Black Trumpet Mushrooms, Ox Tail Gratin’ Shaved Black Truffles

Chef Dan Olson – Coach

Alex’s coach Chef Dan Olson told us that 20 people will accompany Chef Alex Chen to Lyon, France including his Commis Jack Beers, his team along with representatives from Moxie’s Grill. Alex departs for France on January 23rd and will then have 4 days to practice before he competes on January 29. The Bocuse d’or is a 2 day competition and will take place on January 29 & 30. Canada is one of 24 countries participating in the culinary competition.

On behalf of Vancouver I would like to wish Chef Alex Chen and his team the very best in competition.

By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Culinary News, Latest Tags: , , , No Comments »

Lunch up with Food Truck Eats at Diva

November 16th, 2012 admin

Chef Hamid Salimian

One of Vancouver’s top chefs Hamid Salimian is the creative genius behind the newly launched line-up of food truck eats in his elegant dining room at Diva at the Met in the Metropolitan Hotel on Howe.

He is taking street-eats to the next level with food truck-inspired lunch features. Leading the lineup is the Diva Corndog, a handmade gourmet corndog that consists of a sweetbread sausage battered in buttermilk and cornmeal and topped with truffle mayo, grainy mustard and homemade sauerkraut for $17.

Executive Chef, Hamid Salimian, puts his creative twist on trendy food truck basics. From the Diva Corndog to tricked-out fries, gourmet sammies and killer curries and kabobs; this rotating menu offers a selection of lunch items that will tempt any palate.

“In creating our food truck-inspired dishes we were looking at fun ways to reinvent some of those classic street foods that people crave,” said Salimian. “We’ve taken the basics and amped them up with the high-end ingredients and bold flavours that guests expect from Diva.”

Kicking off the new lunch theme will be Korean fries consisting of Yukon potato fries topped with pork belly, kimchi, green onions and nori powder; a grilled mortadella sandwich with basil, tomato, pickled hot peppers and truffle mayo served on a fresh ciabatta bun; and a chicken Thai curry on rice with cilantro and peanuts.

Diva at the Met’s food truck menu items are available starting on Wednesday, November 14. Each week three new gourmet street-eats will be available on the menu, with the Diva Corndog as the anchor item throughout the ten-week run. Prices for the dishes range from $14 to $17.

A sample of what guests can expect to enjoy as part of Diva’s food truck dishes are outlined below:

Food Truck Fries:

Montreal fries – Yukon potato fries covered with tender braised brisket, gravy and cheese curds

Turkish fries – crisp fries topped with Turkish sausage, fresh basil, ripe tomato, feta and parsley

Louisiana fries – golden fries topped with crispy sweetbread and Tabasco mayo

Gourmet Sandwiches:

Pulled pork – 24-hour, slow-cooked pork shoulder on a sesame seed bun dressed with coleslaw and havarti cheese

Vietnamese sub – a classic sub bun filled with BBQ chicken, fresh cucumber, pickled carrot topped with a smear of hoisin sauce

Fennel Salami – Diva’s own fennel salami with spicy peppers, fresh pesto and ripe tomato on a mini baguette

One Pot Wonders:

Persian kabob – kabob koobideh served with black tail rice, grilled tomato and sumac

Braised short ribs – tender braised short ribs with parsley, dry lime and kidney beans on basmati rice

Coconut curry – aromatic coconut and lamb curry served over a bed of rice and topped with mint and fried onions

Diva at the Met is located in the Metropolitan Hotel Vancouver. Reservations for Diva can be made online at www.divamet.com or by calling the restaurant at 604-602-7788.

Posted in Culinary News, Latest Tags: , , No Comments »

Railtown Supper Party on November 18

November 7th, 2012 admin

Vancouver Urban Winery is excited to announce the upcoming sequel to our sold-out, initial Railtown Supper Party. Join for a second round of long-table dining from the cellar floor on their historic 7,700 square foot winery in Vancouver’s industrial Railtown neighbourhood. Due to popular demand, the second Supper Party sees the return of acclaimed Chef Maria Huynh of the Satori Factory and Chau Veggie Express for a Fall-themed feast of her exquisite Vietnamese-French cuisine. The Winery’s in-house Sommelier David Stansfield will once again host the evening’s meal while pairing each course with wines fresh from the taps of the Winery’s 36 tap tasting bar.

5 Courses and 7 Wines in this wine dining experience

Tickets: $90 and are available from the Vancouver Urban Winery, call 604-566-9463 and for more details visit www.vancouverurbanwinery.com

Posted in Culinary News, Latest Tags: , , , , No Comments »

Biggest Street Food Carnival Oct 21 at the Roundhouse

October 17th, 2012 admin

SUSTENANCE SUSTENANCE Festival celebrates this year’s Food Innovation in the City by organizing the Vancouver’s biggest Street Food Carnival on Sunday October 21st from noon to 4pm at the Roundhouse Turntable Plaza.

Here are the participating Food Trucks:

  • Pig on the Street
  • Guanaco Truck
  • Soho Road Naan Kebab
  • Street Meet
  • Ze Bite
  • Holy Perogy
  • Re-Up
  • Le Tigre
  • White Spot
  • Pazza Rella
  • JJ’s Trucketeria
  • Mangal Kiss
  • Slingers
  • Taser Grilled Cheese
  • Mogu
  • Roaming Dragon
  • Dougie Dog
  • Burger Bus
  • Kaboom Box
  • Shwarma… Yum

We are celebrating one of the hottest culinary trends in the city: street food! From ethnic fusion to BBQ and tacos our on-the-go culinary options in Vancouver have increased with the diversity of food carts showing up in our streets. Imagine the largest gathering of food carts in one place and carnival attractions for all ages.

SUSTENANCE is a city-wide celebration endeavours to connect the communities of art, culture, and food security. From global to local, from historic to present day, the art and culture of food offer something everyone can feast on!

Posted in Culinary News, Latest Tags: , , , No Comments »

From Farms to Forks 3 on October 21

October 7th, 2012 admin

A Growing Chefs! Harvest Kitchen Party

 

Can you imagine being in the kitchen of one of Vancouver best chefs’ while they are preparing gourmet creations? Wander through the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts’ classroom kitchens and watch some of Vancouver’s best chefs in action. At From Farms to Forks 3 you could be sampling food and drinks from the chefs from The Pear Tree, Provence Restaurants, La Quercia and the newly opened Acorn, as well as other spectacular Vancouver restaurants. We are bringing together some of the city’s most prominent chefs and mixologists and the region’s best growers and producers for a fun night of  canapés, B.C. wine and beer pairings, cocktails, and tasting stations!

From Farms to Forks 3

Sunday, October 21st

Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts (PICA)

Hosts: CBC’s Margaret Gallagher and Fred Lee
Tickets $150

From Farms to Forks 2 is a fundraiser for Growing Chefs! Chefs for Children’s Urban Agriculture. Growing Chefs! is based in Vancouver, B.C. and the two primary goals of the non-profit are to: to support and encourage the development and growth of urban agriculture and to provide an avenue for chefs and growers to engage in the community and to support food sustainability.

Here’s a sneak preview of just a few of the participating restaurants!

Wine pairings provided by Vincor Canada. Beer by R & B Brewing Co.

Growing Chefs! creates a forum for chefs, educators, growers, community groups, and families to work together to further awareness of food sustainability. Most importantly, we inspire children with the idea that they can grow their own food, even in the city by sending teams of chef volunteers into elementary schools—where they grow vegetables, cook with kids, and get the kids excited about eating healthy food.

To purchase tickets to From Farm to Folks either email [email protected], call 778-885-1308 or purchase them online at http://fromfarmstoforks3.eventbrite.com/.

Posted in Culinary News, Latest Tags: , , , , , No Comments »

Celebrate Argentina & Chile Wine at Fraiche Oct 2 & 9

October 1st, 2012 admin

Fraiche Restaurant presents a Wine Series featuring Argentina on October 2nd and Chile on October 9th. You have an opportunity to taste and compare at two special evenings, featuring 5 course menus prepared by Chef Alvarez.

Winemaker Alberto Aruzu

Tuesday October 2nd at 6:30pm, meet Winemaker Alberto Aruzu of Bodega Luigi Bosca in Argentina, learn about their wines over a 5 course dinner paired with 5 of their wines.

Winemaker Francisco Baettig

Tuesday October 9th at 6:30pm, meet Winemaker Francisco Baettig of Vina Errazuriz in Chile, learn about their wines over a 5 course dinner paired with 5 of their wines.

Tickets are $95 for one evening or $150 for 2 evenings, for reservations call 604-925-7595

By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Culinary News, Latest Tags: , , , , , , , No Comments »
« Older Entries

  • Our Events

    eventbrite 1

    Purchase tickets here!

  • Sponsors

  • General Info

echo get_option('motion_footer') . "\n";