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Posts Tagged ‘Interview’

Chef Siddharth Choudhary

May 21st, 2013 admin

Vancouver is home to some of the best chefs in the world, many have worked for the top chefs and restaurants around the world as well as around the city. Dishing with the Chefs is a series of Interviews with some of the top chefs in and around Vancouver.

Chef Siddharth Choudhary

Siddharth Choudhary grew up in New Delhi, India, when he was 19 years old he got into cooking, he did a 3 year diploma in culinary in New Delhi at a 5 star luxury hotel. He was then selected for a job at a restaurant chain in Ireland where he worked for 6 years. He received a bronze medal in a chefs competition in Ireland in presentation. He then bought an Italian restaurant and turned it into a Japanese restaurant and then won best restaurant of Ireland in 2008. He then sold the restaurant and moved to Canada where he opened Siddartha’s Indian Kitchen on Commercial Drive in late 2011.

What did you want to be growing up?

Commercial Pilot – since I wore glasses, I knew I could not do that in India.

What was your passion growing up?

I was always very artistic, I like colours, did lots of paintings, got into cooking, and liked to play with colours and create art.

What challenges you as a Chef?

  • How creative cooking and how appealing it can be with passion and love.
  • Being consistent with the staff, being happy, taste daily which is a big thing.

Name 5 Spices you love to cook with

  1. Cilantro
  2. Mint
  3. Cumin
  4. Cardamom
  5. Currey leaves

The First Dish:

Vegetable Heaven

Vegetable Heaven

Korma sauce (no nuts)

Portobello mushroom

Butternut squash

Beets

Tomato

Peppers – roasted in cinnamon, cumin and garlic

Cilantro pesto

What was your inspiration behind this dish?

Personally everyone has an image of Indian cooking, cooking vegetables until they are too soft. Cooking is an art which we can show looks, taste, aroma and should satisfy all our senses. My vegetables are roasted so you get flavour and standout character.

What is your Favourite Food?

At home: Kidney Bean & Rice Curry

In a restaurant: a good pasta

From my mom: Fenugreek Parathas

What are your favourite Restaurants outside of your own?

  • Cinch Grill on Robson
  • La Grotta Del Formaggio ‏
  • Kishimoto
  • House of Dosa

 The Second Dish:

Paneer Stuffed Chicken Breast

Paneer Stuffed Chicken Breast with apricot and cumin sauce and roasted vegetables

Chicken breast stuffed with paneer, pickled spices and cloves.

Served with roasted local vegetables and apricot and cinnamon, cumin sauce.

What was your inspiration behind this dish?

Except the spice everything is locally produced, seasonal vegetables. Anyone can make it at home, simple and fast to cook.

What do you do in your Off Time?

  • Gardening
  • Taking photos of Vancouver
  • Internet surfing
  • Family time

What is your definition of Perfection?

An artist is never perfect he keeps on creating something, an artist is never satisfied. I am always experimenting with flavours and dishes.

The Third Dish:

Chicken Haryali

Chicken Haryali

Spinach mousse cooked with Siddarthas hot sauce with ginger and garlic.

Chicken marinated with fenugreek leaves, and creamy garlic and yogurt

What was your inspiration behind this dish?

Chicken Harialy is usually drenched in spinach, my version everything is a standout from the ingredients to the chicken.

Who are your Mentors?

  • My elder aunt – who taught me how to cook
  • Chankya – philosopher
  • My mom
  • My uncle

Tell me about your interest in Art

Oil paintings and anything with bright colours. I spend a lot of time studying the arrangement of colours which gives me new inspiration.

Tell me about your Hot Sauce

I created my own hot sauce without any preservatives. Concentrate of spices and chillis took me a while to fine tune it, lots of experimenting. We now bottle it and sell it at the restaurant. I also make my own Tamarind Sauce.

Stay tuned for the next chef in the Dishing with the Chef series.

By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Dishing with the Chefs, Latest Tags: , , , No Comments »

Brunch with Jeremy Szafron at Hawksworth Restaurant

May 19th, 2013 admin

Brunch is a favourite past time shared by many and should be an extraordinary experience, one that you will cherish. Vancouver has some wonderful places for brunch. Each of the places I visit is unique for what is offered along with the type of service and selection of dishes. I am on a journey around the city to find these extraordinary places and, at the same time, I will be joined by a notable personality who may be a Film Producer or Director, Musician, Arts Festival Director, Actor or other well-known individual for Brunch at restaurants in and around Vancouver.

For my forty fourth brunch in this series, I was joined by Entertainment Commentator for the West Coast for CTV News Channel Jeremy Szafron at Hawksworth Restaurant downtown Vancouver.

Jeremy Szafron

Jeremy Szafron grew up in Calgary, Alberta where he began his career in television. In 2008, he was head hunted to host Entertainment Spotlight on CTV, a show highlighting fashion, entertainment/celebrity interviews, and current affairs in Montreal. In January 2010, Jeremy moved to Vancouver, BC to experience the 2010 Olympic Games, and was asked to be the “Guest Anchor” of an Orlando, Florida based morning show for the duration of the games. Jeremy then became one of the co-hosts of FMA Weekly, a weekly entertainment show highlighting local entertainment and travel segments. In 2012 he became  the CTV National weekly entertainment reporter. In 2013 he was a guest host on Shaw TVs “The Rush”.

You can follow Jeremy Szafron on twitter @JeremySzafron

Have you always wanted to be in the Entertainment business?

Always wanted to be in television since I was a little boy. I used to watch tv when I was 7 years old on mute, with closed captioning to read if off the prompter.

What were your favourite tv shows to watch while growing up?

I used to love ‘Friends’, also used to watch a lot of HBO shows. Always loved the news, watching CNN or The National on CBC, also watched Breakfast Television Calgary (morning show).

Tell me who some of your most notable celebrities that you have interviewed on your shows over the years?

Jessica Alba in Edmonton

Simon Whitfield – Olympic Athlete

Do you come from an entertainment family?

No, exact opposite, my whole family is in the oil industry.

What aspect of the entertainment business do you enjoy the most, producing, writing or reporting/hosting?

Most of all tell a story. I like to have a little bit of creative control. We naturally have to do some writing and producing for our own stories when reporting. It’s important to have that integrity.

What was your 2010 Olympic Games experience like while you were the “Guest Anchor” of an Orlando, Florida based morning show?

That was fantastic, a once in a lifetime opportunity. I got to see a lot of colleagues, the stories and the people were interesting, it was an amazing experience.

Recently you were a guest host on Shaw TVs “The Rush” with Fiona Forbes, what was that experience like for you?

So much fun, I loved it. Ad-lib, making jokes, non chalent live to tape, easy going.

Where was your most recent trip?

Kelowna for “Gourmet & Grapes” Chef Ned Bell vs Chef Ray Bear

What is your favourite foods?

Asian food fene – from dim sum to sushi, ramen, pho

What are your favourite restaurants in Vancouver?

  • Flying Pig
  • Forage
  • Juno Sushi
  • Bao Bei

 

Pacific Sablefish Benedict

pork sausages

Hawksworth Beef Burger

Berry Smoothie

Chèvre Cheesecake

Sweet Milk Ice Cream

Jeremy had Pacific Sablefish Benedict glazed asparagus, tomato, fine herb hollandaise and a side order of pork sausages; Richard had Hawksworth Beef Burger applewood smoked bacon, aged cheddar, frites and a Berry Smoothie. For dessert, Jeremy had the Chèvre Cheesecake with green apple, walnut; and Richard had the Sweet Milk Ice Cream with red fruit, vanilla.

What do you do in your off time?

  • See friends
  • Travel
  • Share stories with people
  • Boating

Who are your Mentors?

Todd Van Der Heyden – my anchor with CTV News Channel

Who inspires you?

My mother

What has inspired you lately?

Boston Marathon bombing – fascinates me how close people can come together during tragedies.

Is there anything you want to do, that you haven’t done already?

  • More travel
  • Tell more amazing stories about amazing people

What’s next for you or what’s on the horizon?

  • More television
  • More news, less Justin Bieber & Lindsay Lohan stories

Style: a La Carte

Attire: Smart Casual

Time: Saturday and Sunday 10:30am – 2:00pm

Hawksworth Restaurant

801 W Georgia Street, Vancouver

Menu: http://www.hawksworthrestaurant.com/menus/brunch/

For Reservations, please call 604.673.7000

Stay tuned to my next guest Interview along with the next Brunch in and around Vancouver.

By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Brunch with Celebrities, Latest Tags: , , , No Comments »

Friday Lunch with John Orysik at Tuc Craft Kitchen

May 17th, 2013 admin

The Friday Lunch is a focus on the restaurant’s Lunch menu along with the Interview of a notable Business or Cultural leader who is joining me as my guest at restaurants in and around Vancouver. Each of the places I visit is unique for what is offered along with the type of service and selection of dishes.

For my tenth Friday Lunch in this series, I was joined by Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Co-Founder & Media Director, John Orysik over lunch at Tuc Craft Kitchen. 

John Orysik

John Orysik was born and raised in Vancouver, he was the Vancouver correspondent at Coda Jazz Magazine in the late 70’s. He got into broadcasting and hosted jazz radio shows beginning in 1980. He then joined up with friends Ken Pickering and Robert Kerr and founded Coastal Jazz in 1986. He is the Co-founder and media director of the Coastal Jazz & Blues Society and the TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival.

You can follow the Vancouver International Jazz Festival on twitter @vanjazzfest

Have you always had an interest in music?

Ever since I was a teenager, I had a passion for it.

What type of music did you listen to growing up?

Pop music, when FM came into being, the underground 60’s stuff – jazz & classic eclectic mix, being able to choose. Bands such as the Grateful Dead, Jimmy Hendrix, Joan Baez, Muddy Waters, Howly Wolf, Charles Menges, Miles Davis, John Coltrane …….

How did you end up co-founding the Vancouver International Jazz Festival?

I was the Vancouver correspondent at Coda Jazz Magazine, long-time friend Ken Pickering was opening a Jazz Record Store. I wanted to get into broadcasting. In 1980 Cjazz radio station started and it paid well. Brought Robert Kerr into the fold with us two, talking jazz shows and festival to do concerts all year round and that is how it came to be in the late 70’s and 80’s.

What challenges a festival such as yours today in Vancouver?

  • Economic challenges
  • More competition for the entertainment
  • Rising costs for artists, venues, services
  • Since we are an iconic festival in Vancouver, we are fortunate to have attracted major sponsorship over the years, to enhance what we do and individual donors – options for the future.

What do you look for when working with media to promote the Vancouver International Jazz Festival?

To make sure they understand our message, what we do and how we do it for the community. Brings in 35 million dollars to the region annually. In terms of culture we are helping to define Vancouver as a tourism/cultural leader in the city. Creates harmony with the people in the city. Different ethnicities, age group. Music is a social give, looks past our differences and sees what we have in common. Human connection. This is what I want the media to understand.

If you could estimate the number of concerts you have seen how many would that number be?

Thousands

If you could tell me about 3 of your favourite concerts of all time which ones would those be?

1)    Caetano Veloso (from Brazil) –amazing, spellbound –at the Vogue Theatre in 1997 – so rare, only time they ever played in Vancouver.

2)    Sun Ra Arkestra – at the Commodore Ballroom in 1989/90

3)    Art Blakely’s Jazz Messengers in San Francisco in the mid 1970’s

What are your favourite foods?

  • Cook and eat a lot of Italian –fish, potatoes, salads
  • Ukranian (ancestoral food) –borscht, perogies with sauerkraut
  • Pan Asian cooking (Chinese, Japanese, Indonesian)

What are your favourite restaurants in Vancouver?

  • Tacofino Cantina
  • Campagnolo Roma
  • Peaceful Restaurant

Asparagus Soup

Parsnip Fries

Vegetable Gumbo

Chicken Confit Sandwich

John had the Asparagus Soup, and Richard had the Parsnip Fries to start. John then had the Vegetable Gumbo while Richard had the Chicken Confit Sandwich with salad.

What do you do in your off time?

  • Cycle a lot
  • Swimming
  • Reading (Dorris Bessy and Paul Auster)
  • Listen to music
  • Cooking

Who are your favourite jazz musicians?

  • John Coltrane
  • Miles Davis
  • Han Bennink

If you weren’t working in music festivals, what would you be doing?

Actor or Broadcaster

Who are your mentors?

Fraser Nicholson (he owned the Record Gallery on Robson Street) he taught me a valuable lesson that has been with me my whole life.

What has inspired you lately in general?

The sense of community that I see, especially at our huge outdoor concerts –all ages, people who love the music, smiles, appreciation, recognition, makes me feel like anything is possible.

How many entertainers/groups approach your festival?

Hundreds and hundreds of submissions

Tell me about the 2013 Vancouver International Jazz Festival, what are some of the highlights that we should know?

  • Herbie Hancock
  • Esperanza Spalding
  • Youn Sun Nah from Korea
  • The whole Innovation series
  • Vijay Iyer Trio

What does the Vancouver International Jazz Festival want to accomplish over the next few years?

Maintain the level of artistic excellence that we have been able to be associated with the last 28 years. Want to continue to be a state of the art event, discover new music, present music they already know. Meet new people, local and international community. Put Vancouver on the map as a cultural and recreational centre.

Style: A La Carte

Attire: Casual

Time: Tues-Sun  11:30am – 3pm

Tuc Craft Kitchen

60 West Cordova St, Vancouver

For Reservations Call: 604-599-8999

Menu: www.tucrestaurant.com

Twitter: @TucRestaurant

Stay tuned to my next guest Interview along with the next Friday Lunch in and around Vancouver.

By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Friday Lunch Series, Latest Tags: , , , , , No Comments »

Interview with Top Chef Canada Competitor Matt Stowe

May 16th, 2013 admin

Chef Matt Stowe

The other day I had lunch with Chef Matt Stowe at Cactus Club Coal Harbour restaurant, sitting by the window overlooking the stunning view of Coal Harbour. Before I interviewed him, we each ordered some dishes off the menu, I was a tad curious since he was the Product Development Chef for Cactus Club what he would end up ordering. Matt told me he likes to eat simple dishes with great flavours. He has been with Cactus Club for the past 3 years and within that he has spent 1-1/2 years in the development kitchen and 1-1/2 years previously in operations. Prior to joining Cactus Club he spent 5 years as the Executive Chef of Sonora Resort.

Which was your favourite challenge? — both quick fire & the elimination challenge

The 2nd episode “The Form” it was my favourite elimination challenge, I got a taste of home with the quality of the ‘local’ foods available to us.

My favourite quick fire was “The Auction” and it was fun auctioning and out bidding people. Managing your money was really important.

Which was your least favourite challenge ?

“The Pizza” where we had to make a pizza, freeze it, then bake it from frozen. As a chef it didn’t make sense for me to freeze this beautiful product first.

Ravioli + Prawn Trio

Tuna Sushi Cones

I had the Ravioli + Prawn Trio – artisan made butternut squash and mascarpone ravioli, truffle butter sauce, jumbo prawns; and Matt had Tuna Sushi Cones to start.

Which competitor were you most worried about and why?

Jonathan Goodyear – I thought he had a pretty strong background with who he worked for previously.

Which dish do you regret the most?

The Pizza – I regret not listening to the requirements of the challenge. I had to make the dough at home first, then took 20 minutes to prep the pizzas and 4-5 minutes to make them.

How can we get more local, sustainable products into large chain restaurants?

Dialogue is important to have between the restaurants, suppliers and farmers. The farmers need to go to the restaurants directly. A farm would have to be able to be big enough to supply our 23 restaurants here at Cactus Club for example. It is important to keep in mind consistency, growing season, size of products and the sugar level of products. For seasonal produce, we at Cactus Club source or have products grown for us as local as possible.

Where did you do your Audition video for Top Chef Canada?

I was fortunate to do it at Hazelmere Farms.

What are the Top 3 Things you have learned after the Top Chef Canada show experience?

1)    Learned about myself and taking criticism

2)    Time Management – working efficiently being able to flag the menu in your head to know the timing.

3)    Thing on your feet and adapt as lots of challenges were off site taking in the elements that can get in your way. Be able to fix the stakes, being creative on your feet, deviating from your plan if you have too.

Thai Red Curry Pacific Lingcod

Matt and I each had the Thai Red Curry Pacific Lingcod – seared ocean wise™ pacific lingcod, thai red curry sauce, coconut almond rice, crispy wontons, micro cilantro.

What was the process like for applying to be on Top Chef Canada?

  • I got an application and submitted it along with a 5 minute video.
  • Then there was a phone interview
  • 30 minute cooking interview

They selected 16 people to be on the show from a couple hundred submissions.

How did you get time off work to film the Top Chef Canada show?

I had to keep this all a secret when I went on the show in Toronto, I had to tell everyone that I went on vacation. I wasn’t allowed to leave the hotel in Toronto and was monitored at all times. I had no wallet, no tv and even missed my sisters wedding.

What are your plans for the future?

My goal is to stay with Cactus Club Restaurants and to one day open my own restaurant.

You can follow Chef Matt Stowe on Twitter @ChefMattStowe

By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Interviews, Latest Tags: , , , , No Comments »

Brunch with Meena Mann at Sol Sun Belt

May 12th, 2013 admin

Brunch is a favourite past time shared by many and should be an extraordinary experience, one that you will cherish. Vancouver has some wonderful places for brunch. Each of the places I visit is unique for what is offered along with the type of service and selection of dishes. I am on a journey around the city to find these extraordinary places and, at the same time, I will be joined by a notable personality who may be a Film Producer or Director, Musician, Arts Festival Director, Actor or other well-known individual for Brunch at restaurants in and around Vancouver.

For my forty third brunch in this series, I was joined by TV Host Meena Mann at the Sol Sun Belt Cookery in Coal Harbour.

Meena Mann

Meena was born in Terrace and grew up in Vancouver, B.C. where she attended Simon Fraser University graduating with a B.A. with a major in Communications. She started her media career in radio in late 2006 working at News1130, REDFM 93.1 and a short contract at CBC Radio1.

Meena made the leap into Television Hosting in 2009 when she became the official Co-Host of a life-style and entertainment show, FMA Entertainment Weekly. In 2010 Meena was hired by the Vancouver Olympic Committee (VANOC) to report for the Olympic News Service. Meena is a professional public speaker with extensive experience hosting numerous live events for non-profit and for-profit organizations, including the B.C. Provincial Government, Municipal Government, Coast Capital Savings and Vancouver’s first Fashion’s Night Out.

You can follow Meena Mann on twitter @MeenaMann

Have you always wanted to be in the Entertainment business?

Yes always, ever since I was a kid.

What type of music did you listen to growing up?

Pop all the time. In university I got into classical music, way back then it was Justin Timberlake ……

Tell me who some of your most notable people that you have interviewed over the years?

  • Adrian Grenier
  • Russel Peters
  • Michael Buble
  • Shawn Desman
  • Foster the People Band

Do you come from an entertainment family?

No – my dad was always an entertainer for the family.

You did a comedy show awhile back, what was it like for you to do that first comedy gig?

I was so excited, but it was so exciting that I felt so nervous. As soon as my name was called, it was a natural high and no one really laughed after my 1st joke. I felt comfortable being on stage, so I changed up my routine and played off the audience and myself.

When did you get into doing Commercials and what was your first Commercial?

My first commercial was for Nissan Canada, it was a pretty cool experience setting the first one since this was the first commercial there was everything –the set, lights, trailers, and the pay.

How did you get into Emcee?

I did Toastmasters for a few years, one thing lead to another, and another and then I was emceeing lots of events.

Where was your most recent trip?

Miami

What is your favourite foods?

I love everything, but only vegetarian.

What are your favourite restaurants in Vancouver?

  • Italian Kitchen
  • Nuba
  • Kidoya Sushi

Orange Juice

Gruyere & Wild Mushroom Omelette

Duck Confit Hash

Moroccan fried bread

Meena and Richard each had a fresh squeezed Orange Juice to start. Meena had the Gruyere & Wild Mushroom Omelette (egg whites only); and Richard had the Duck Confit Hash (no egg) with Moroccan fried bread and Harissa sauce. 

What do you do in your off time?

  • Being outdoors
  • Beach with friends
  • Golfing
  • Hiking

Who inspires you?

From the root level, some of my close friends all the way to Oprah.

What has inspired you lately?

There is a book about “50 Cent” the rapper, about his rags to riches type of story. Really the book is about how not to be afraid, to keep going and to overcome fear.

Is there anything you want to do, that you haven’t done already?

  • I would like to speak in front of a crowd of 1000 people.
  • Sit down interview with “50 Cent” or “Oprah” or people we don’t set to learn about often.
  • A late night tv show.

What’s next for you or what’s on the horizon?

  • Lot of emcee gigs up coming up over the summer
  • Potential tv show

Style: a La Carte

Attire: Casual

Time: Saturday and Sunday 10am – 3:00pm

Sol Sun Belt Cookery

550 Denman Street, Vancouver

Menu: http://www.solsunbelt.com/

For Reservations, please call 604 568 2235

Stay tuned to my next guest Interview along with the next Brunch in and around Vancouver.

By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Brunch with Celebrities, Latest Tags: , , , , No Comments »

Friday Lunch with Linda Tanaka at Catch 122

May 10th, 2013 admin

The Friday Lunch is a focus on the restaurant’s Lunch menu along with the Interview of a notable Business or Cultural leader who is joining me as my guest at restaurants in and around Vancouver. Each of the places I visit is unique for what is offered along with the type of service and selection of dishes.

For my ninth Friday Lunch in this series, I was joined by Vancouver Folk Music Festival, Artistic Director, Linda Tanaka over lunch at Catch 122.

Linda Tanaka

Linda Tanaka grew up in Northern Manitoba, she then spent some years living in Toronto. In the late 1980’s she moved West with her husband settling in the Salmon Arm area where she founded the Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival which she had built into a nationally ranked folk-music gathering. In 2008 she left Salmon Arm and moved to Vancouver to take over the position of Artistic Director at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival where she resides today, leading this internationally re-known music festival.

You can follow the Vancouver Folk Music Festival on twitter @VanFolkFest

Have you always had an interest in music?

Yes, listening to my radio, grew up in Northern Manitoba. In Toronto living there I used to spend all my money going to shows.

How did you end up becoming the Artistic Director of the Vancouver Folk Music Festival?

Previously I was at the Salmon Arm Music Festival and I was asked to take over as the Interim Director of the Vancouver Folk Music Festival. Then I had to apply for the position for the festival the year after.

What drives you to succeed leading such an esteemed music festival in Vancouver?

I want to see the festival do well, this is the 36th year. Previously the festival didn’t have a budget, now we have this and we have to draw headliners to bring in the crowd.

What challenges a festival such as yours today in Vancouver?

  • Costs keep rising – infrastructure
  • We have to truck grey water off site, phone lines and fencing
  • Being in a better financial situation, to be able to compete for the artists we want.
  • Have to have a mix of Canadian, BC, City, female and male, lots of as many general targets we can do.
  • Housing of the artists
  • Sponsorship

What do you look for when artists/entertainers work into this Folk Music Festival?

  • I am looking for artists that are ethical, and align with the festivals philosophy.
  • Political artists fighting for a cause.
  • To satisfy the audience – women, gay & lesbian and others
  • Draw a new audience including younger people.

How did you put together the Workshops at the festival?

I do research to see which musicians are friends with each other, sometimes I just guess and it works. Watching You Tube videos of the bands/artists to see if they would work together.

Are the Musicians experienced with doing Workshops from other festivals?

Workshops are a Canadian festival thing, many of the artists have never collaborated like this before, some are not comfortable to do it.

Tomato Soup

Toulouse Salad

Duck Leg Confit

Espresso Macchiato

Linda had the Tomato Soup and Toulouse Salad with House-made toulouse sausage, slow roasted cherry tomato, fennel, arugula, frisée, sherry vinaigrette; Richard had the Duck Leg Confit dijonnaise, caramelized onion, brie cheese, baguette with fries and an Espresso Macchiato.

What are your favourite foods?

Dark chocolate

What do you do in your off time?

  • Gardening
  • Sewing
  • Travelling

Where was your most recent trip?

Conference in Greece and Istanbul

If you weren’t working in music festivals, what would you be doing?

Fabric arts or a Bed/Breakfast

Who are your mentors?

Phyillis Stenson –artistic director of the Harrison Festival of the Arts

Terry Wickham –Edmonton Folk Festival

What has inspired you lately in general?

When I discover a new artist

How many entertainers/groups approach you for the festival?

Hundreds

Tell me about the 2013 Vancouver International Folk Music Festival, what are some of the highlights that we should know?

Mainstage

  • Kathleen Edwards  -Friday night
  • Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars – Friday night
  • Hayden – Friday night
  • Delhi 2 Dublin – Friday night and all weekend

Workshops

  • Hurray for the Rifraf
  • Coldspecks
  • The Latchikos from Ireland
  • Raghu Dixit Project from India
  • Hanggai from China
  • Anthony Joseph and the Spasm Band from England
  • Debo Band from New York

 Has Social Media played a significant role for the Vancouver Folk Music Festival?

Yes but we should be using it more, we are looking at doing more.

What do you want to accomplish with the Vancouver Folk Music Festival over the next few years?

  • Become more sustainable
  • Continue to build a younger audience
  • Be able to add a Thursday night into the festival

Style: A La Carte

Attire: Casual

Time: Mon-Fri 9am -4pm

Catch 122 Restaurant 

122 West Hastings Street, Vancouver

Menu: http://catch122.com

For Reservations call 604-731-3474

Stay tuned to my next guest Interview along with the next Friday Lunch in and around Vancouver.

By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Friday Lunch Series, Latest Tags: , , , , , No Comments »

Chef Jimmy Stewart

May 8th, 2013 admin

Vancouver is home to some of the best chefs in the world, many have worked for the top chefs and restaurants around the world as well as around the city. Dishing with the Chefs is a series of Interviews with some of the top chefs in and around Vancouver.

Chef Jimmy Stewart

Jimmy attended Dubrulle International Culinary Arts in 2005 right after he graduated high school, he lasted 6 months. While at school, he worked at The Beachside Café in West Vancouver for 6 months until it closed. He then worked at CinCin as a prep cook for 4 months, was then promoted to  Chef/Garmange, moved up the ladder after 2 years. He tried to get a job at Lumierre and bugged Chef Dale Mackay everyday for 2 weeks, he finally got in to stage. Dale then hooked him up with a job in England at Maze (Gordon Ramsey’s restaurant), Jimmy stayed in England for 1-1/2 years, then went to The Ledbury (Maze competitor) to be the demi Chef de Partie (The Ledbury was amazing and so different than Maze) he was part of the team that made pastry (was there for 4-1/2 months). His visa expired and he had to return to Canada, he ended up going to Windsor ( to follow his girlfriend whom he met while in England) where he lasted 2 months. He then moved to Toronto and worked at Colburn Lane ending as a Jr Sous Chef. Then worked as the Raw Bar Chef at Origin for 4 months, he then moved back to Vancouver and went straight to DB Moderne. He then quit his job and moved to Whistler to go snowboarding, ended up getting a job as a Dishwasher at The Bearfoot as that was all he wanted to do, He didn’t want the responsibility he wanted to snowboard. Andre and Chef Melissa wouldn’t let him be a dishwasher, he was then hired to work in the kitchen as the Sous Chef. From there he applied to Top Chef Canada. Jimmy auditioned for the show and got on the show, came in 6th place. After the show he went back to The Bearfoot in Whistler and worked as the Exec Sous Chef for a year. Moved to Vancouver and took a job with Gourmet Syndicate working on the Roaming Dragon food truck for 6 months, he was helping out at Fable Kitchen as well, through a connection he got an interview at House Guest and soon-after joined House Guest in early 2013 as their Executive Chef.

You can follow Chef Jimmy Stewart on twitter @JimmyCStewart

What are the top 3 things you have learned in the past few years?

1)    Importance of your palette

2)    Follow your instincts

3)    Be happy – got to have fun

Where did you learn foraging?

Brett at  The Ledbury – I saw the food at Noma (Denmark), took a trip to the Yukon, met up with a woman who showed me everything that was growing there, I learned so much. Then while I was back in Whistler, I went walking and picked stuff in the woods. All types of mushrooms and weeds, and took it to work at The Bearfoot, from pine shoots, cranberries and more.

What does Presentation on the plate mean to you?

At The Ledbury, Colborne Lane, and CinCin –It’s all about what’s there, tell a story with your food and it has to taste really good. (Passion behind the dish and presentation).

What is your Favourite Food?

Fried Chicken – (Chicken Karage with scallions, and Japanese Mayo).

What are your favourite Restaurants outside of where you work?

  • L’Abbotoir
  • Gyoza King
  • C Lovers

Name 5 Ingredients you love to cook with

  1. Ramps
  2. Asparagus
  3. Pig cheek
  4. Offal
  5. Tuna

The First Dish:

Winter Salad

Winter Salad

Osaka Mustard leaves

Wild Mushroom leaves

Nastertions

White Pea shoots

Lemon balm

Salad burnet

Quebec ash goat cheese

Ruby beets

Yellow beets

Heirloom carrots

Brussel sprouts

Shared button mushrooms

Pickled Shimiji mushrooms

Beech mushrooms

Pickled carrots

Pickled celery

Red chicory

Hazelnuts

Hazelnut oil

Mushroom puree

Mushroom soil

Buttermilk dressing

What was your inspiration behind this dish?

My fave dish I ever made under another chef. I wanted to take it to the next level, I wanted to make now early in my career.

How did you get a Tuna Tattoo?

I was living in Toronto, the restaurant closed for the day due to a power outage, I went out with a bottle of rum with the other chefs, went to Chinatown and ate then went back to my house and we all drank. Me and the meat cook went out to get tattoos, she got a pig tattoo and I got a tuna tattoo.

The Second Dish:

Prawn Tacos

Prawn Tacos

House made taco shell (soft corn, gluten free)

Syrachi mayonnaise

Suchoy cabbage

White gulf prawns

Rempha

Yuzu mayo

Pickled daikon

Radish

What was your inspiration behind this dish?

Girls, the ladies came in and ate tacos like the guys and not feel bad about it.

How do you create the dishes you do to appeal to everyone?

I want to appease the date night people, the late night crowd, people love brunch and I love brunch. I’m researching food and products. Learning to put myself in the diners shoes, I go out and I appreciate what other restaurants do as well.

Who are your Mentors?

Dale Mackay

Mellissa Craig

Brett Graham

What has inspired you lately?

  • Aprons for Gloves –community and be so tight together.
  • The ingredients
  • The colour green

Stay tuned for the next chef in the Dishing with the Chef series.

By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Dishing with the Chefs, Latest Tags: , , , No Comments »

Brunch with Rebecca Bollwitt at The Oakwood

May 5th, 2013 admin

Brunch is a favourite past time shared by many and should be an extraordinary experience, one that you will cherish. Vancouver has some wonderful places for brunch. Each of the places I visit is unique for what is offered along with the type of service and selection of dishes. I am on a journey around the city to find these extraordinary places and, at the same time, I will be joined by a notable personality who may be a Film Producer or Director, Musician, Arts Festival Director, Actor or other well-known individual for Brunch at restaurants in and around Vancouver.

Rebecca Bollwitt

For my forty second brunch in this series, I was joined by Author & Blogger Rebecca Bollwitt at the The Oakwood in Kitsilano talking writing, blogging and more.

Rebecca Bollwitt grew up in Surrey, BC, she built her first website in 1997, she has been blogging about life in BC since 2004 on Miss604.com, and podcasting since 2005. Named one of BC’s Top 100 Women of Influence by the Vancouver Sun, Rebecca co-founded sixty4media, a WordPress website development firm in 2008, and has co-authored the book, Blogging to Drive Business in 2010. Miss604.com was voted “Best Vancouver Blog” by the Georgia Straight for 2009, 2010, 2011 & 2012, “Best Local Blog” by The Westender in 2010,  2011 & 2012, and has been ranked within the top ten blogs in Canada.

You can follow Rebecca on Twitter @Miss604

How did you get into blogging?

I was tinkering with websites and built a fan page for a favourite band back in highschool. Learned code and websites online as a hobby. In 2000 I started my dot com career, in 2003 I started seeing blogs pop-up, in 2004 I saw blogger and started a personal blog. Web 2.0 progressed and in 2006 I took it and made it Vancouver focussed. In 2008 I left my day job which was a media specialist for a payment gateway company.

Did you have a passion for writing while growing up?

I did, I have always loved writing literature and writing studies.

Tell me who some of the most engaging people that you have interviewed over the years for your blog or podcast?

1)    George Stroumboulopoulos in 2006

2)    Less than Jake Band in 1997

In your book, Blogging to Drive Business: Create and Maintain Valuable Customer Connections – what are the 3 main points you want people to grasp from your book?

1)    Have a plan when you go into blogging –writing about, passionate, content, goal

2)    Being Human –still have the personal voice – give names to your authors, face for each person

3)    Read other Blogs – Know what else is out there, be familiar with blogging

What does building community mean to you?

Nurturing a group of like-minded people or people who have similar interests, being able to host discussions so the help me help you concept can flourish.

How different would life be today without WordPress?

There would be something else or people would still be on blogger or tumbler, because wordpress is open source represents so much more.

Tell our readers about 3 of your memorable experiences you have had based on invitations you received as Miss 604

1) Switzerland –the government of Switzerland invited 5-10 media in 2009 to tour Geneva and Zurich and to take us to the IOC headquarters with focus on the Olympic spirit for 2010.

2) Africa – Cadbury does bicyclefactory.ca which helps build bikes for kids in Ghanna, so kids can go to school. Two bloggers from Canada went to Ghanna in 2011 and a bicycle delivery, I was one of the two bloggers.

3) In Torch Relay for 2010 –riding in a car in my home town of Surrey and home area, got to give my grandma a big hug.

What is it about value of bloggers that people under-estimate?

People under estimate bloggers who have smaller audiences. The person that has a niche audience could be the most influentcial person who is connected to so many other people.

Where was your most recent trip?

Seattle to a Mariner game and got a tour of Safeco field.

What is your favourite food?

Mexican food

What is your favourite dish?

Halibut with bier blanc with green steamed vegetables

What are your favourite restaurants in Vancouver?

  • Nook – for date night, birthdays etc
  • Kitaro Ramen on Denman
  • CinCin

Black Pepper Brioche Muffins

Dungeness Crab Eggs Benedict

Shortrib, hashbrown croquettes, and caramelized onion puree

Rebecca and Richard shared the Black Pepper Brioche Muffins basket with maple butter to start, Rebecca then had the Dungeness Crab Eggs Benedict with dill hollandaise, fennel salad, home fries and Richard had the Shortrib, hashbrown croquettes, and caramelized onion puree. 

What are some of your favourite restaurants outside of Vancouver?

  • Spinnakers Brewpub in Victoria
  • Tom Douglas Restaurants –Lola, Dahlia Lounge, Serious Pie all in Seattle
  • Miradoro at Tinhorn Creek in the Okanagan

What do you do in your off time?

Long walks in Stanley Park with my husband

Who are your mentors?

  • Chuck Davis – he literally wrote the history of Vancouver
  • Tony Pierce – wrote How to Blog (in LA –business blog)

Who inspires you?

My husband

What has inspired you lately?

Founders Collective – a group of women in Vancouver who I met years ago, all are leaders in their own industry, celebrating the successes that were already celebrated.

How do you stay ahead of the game?

  • Work your but off
  • When new things come up, don’t dismiss it. I try any new app or technology at least once. Choose to see how to use in your network.
  • Going to Meetups and tweetups –sharing ideas –hearing what other people are using and making.

Is there anything you want to do, that you haven’t done already?

  • More creative writing
  • Some type of book about Vancouver
  • Love to go to Germany (have family there)
  • I want to get a bike and be a cyclist in Vancouver

What’s next for you or what’s on the horizon?

  • I am doing more freelance writing for various outlets.
  • More travel.

Style: a La Carte

Attire: Casual

Time: Saturday and Sunday 10am – 3:00pm

The Oakwood Restaurant

2741 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver

Menu: http://www.theoakwood.ca/

For Reservations, please call 604-558-1965

Stay tuned to my next guest Interview along with the next Brunch in and around Vancouver.

By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Brunch with Celebrities, Latest Tags: , , , , No Comments »
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