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 thirty fourth brunch in this series, I was joined by Cory Ashworth, Radio Host at PEAK Mornings 102.7FM & Waking Crew 93.7FM at West Restaurant in Vancouver talking about Radio, Music, Books and more!
Cory Ashworth
Cory worked for his family’s printing company after high school. He then went to China to study tourism on a government exchange. He ended up getting a job working for CRI – China Radio International and did a rock music show. He was then hired by MTV as a VJ, he was then an editor of a magazine. After 7 years in China he returned to Vancouver. He then became a host on Peak Radio, currently Cory is a co-host on Peak Mornings on 102.7 FM The Peak, weekdays from 6-10am as well as on the Waking Crew 93.7fm. Cory also Co-Hosts Rain City Chronicles and is one of the Co-founders of A Good Book Drive.
What got you into Radio, specifically hosting a morning radio show?
I lived in China for 7 years, it was the 50th Anniversary of, Tiananmen Square and I wanted to get it in, you needed a media pass to get in, so I interned at a radio station but in the end I didn’t get the Media Pass but I got a job.
How do you do hosting on 2 radio shows simultaneously on 2 different radio stations?
I run, thankfully the studios are side by side to each other. I do it between commercials and songs. I have it worked out and I love it, two very different audiences.
What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
Swam at the summer palace in China with old Chinese people.
Tell me about A Good Book Drive
A Good Book Drive is a Rain City Chronicles project created by Cory Ashworth (Morning Host of 102.7 The Peak) and Lizzy Karp (Co-Founder of Rain City Chronicles) will run November 1 – 30, 2012.
A Good Book Drive is an annual book drive to bring stories to a new generation of readers, and support kids in need of new books. Running through the month of November, A Good Book Drive will be inspiring Vancouverites to purchase a new copy of their favorite kids’ book and deliver it to set locations throughout the city to be donated to this year’s book drive recipient, Vancouver literacy program The Writers Exchange.
A Good Book Drive has teamed up with a great group of independent Vancouver retailers that will each house a Good Book Box. Here you can drop off your favorite kids book and personalize your donation with a special bookplate, sharing the story of why that book is special to you.
You went skydiving jumping out of a plane a few months ago, tell me what motivated you to do that? And how your felt afterwards?
Motivation – was to face the biggest fear on the radio. Laurie’s fear was heights, for her birthday on air I surprised her with this birthday present of us both jumping out of a plane. She was thrown out of the plane. Afterwards I felt like I don’t want to die this way.
How did you change your sleeping patterns going from hosting a night time show to the morning show?
I make sure I am in bed by 9 pm every night to be able to be up bright and early the next day.
Have there been any notable musicians you have interviewed over the years, if so who?
- Whitney Houston – she was literally a nightmare – in China
- Backstreet Boys – at the Great Wall in China
- Mariah Carey
- Dan Savage
- Rick Mercer
What type of music did you listen to growing up?
I liked everything – I used to take the bus to A & B Sound on Seymour and buy music.
If you could estimate the number of concerts you have seen how many would that number be?
Hundreds
If you could tell me about 3 of your favourite concerts of all time which ones would those be?
- The Black Keys at the Orpheum
- Aiden Knight
- Bahamas at the Rio
What are 2 of your favourite music festivals that you have attended in the past year?
- Live at Squamish
- Keloha in Kelowna
Selection of Buns
Butternut Squash Agnolotti
Caramelized Parsnips
Foraged Mushrooms, ‘En Papillote’
selection of truffles
We were served a selection of house-baked buns to start. Cory had the Butternut Squash Agnolotti with black truffle, spaghetti squash. Richard had the Pear Tart with caramelized onions, aged parmesan, balsamic vinaigrette. Cory and Richard shared the Caramelized Parsnips with sherry emulsion and sage as well as the Foraged Mushrooms, ‘En Papillote’ with thyme and confit garlic. To end our meal we were served a selection of truffles.
What foods do you like?
Asian food
What are your favourite restaurants in Vancouver?
- Tacofino on Hastings
- East is East
- Nuba on 3rd
What do you want your listeners to learn from listening to you on your radio show?
Optimism and anything can happen, I want people to be happy.
What do you do in your off time?
- Outdoors
- Walking with friends
- Hiking
Where is your favourite vacation spot?
New York
Do you come from a broadcasting family?
No not at all
What advice would you offer to a musician looking to make it big?
Treat your work as a business, be creative but be professional.
Where was your most recent musical trip?
Keloha in Kelowna
Who are your mentors?
Oprah
Who inspires you now?
- Oprah
- Pharral Williams – rapper
- Bob Kronbauer – Vancouver is Awesome
What inspires you?
- Truth
- Honesty
- Authenticity
What’s next for you or what’s on the horizon?
I want to do more in Television, Writing and expanding what I do now.
Style: A La Carte
Attire: Business Casual
Time: Sunday 11:00am – 2:30pm
West Restaurant
2881 Granville Street Vancouver
Menu: http://www.westrestaurant.com/
For Reservations call 604-738-8938
Stay tuned to my next guest Interview along with the next Brunch in and around Vancouver.
By: Richard Wolak