Announcements for September 21, 2009

ANNOUNCEMENTS - ( September 21, 2009 )
( All listings on this page were edited from, or excerpted directly from company press releases .)



FARMERS MARKETS

Roll out your pumpkins, fall here.  Now is the time to discover the taste of BC’s autumn abundance at Vancouver's Farmers Markets .  Special Harvest Festivals will be taking place on September 26th, 30th, and then on October 3rd and 4th.

Think apples, pears, nuts, kale, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots and nearly every kind of squash in God's creation.

Do you get raves for your apple pie when you bake it up for friends and family? Ever thought of entering a contest to really test your skills? Here's your chance. During Harvest Festival at the Kitsilano Farmers Market they will be holding their 2nd annual Best BC Apple Pie Competition. There'll be prizes for the top 3 pies and obviously fame and the adoration of the market community! Check out the entry form for more details.

At the same time there will be a demo with the Flour Peddler , as well as kids crafts and face painting. Also free recipes!

See the dates for each market's Harvest Day below. Shoppers visiting any market during the Festivals will be able to learn about the wide selection of apples, pears and squash that are grown in BC. An assortment will be on display with cards offering a description as well as historical tidbits and eating suggestions. There will also be sampling of different types of apples!

Kids and parents alike will especially love the Trout Lake Harvest Festival on Wednesday, September 26th. Kids can make their own “hand turkey” at the arts and crafts table or visit the face painter!

Harvest Festival Schedule:

Trout Lake Farmers Market:   Saturday, September 26th, 9 a.m. -2 p.m.
Main Street Farmers Market:   Wednesday, September 30th, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.
West End Farmers Market:   Saturday, October 3rd, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Kitsilano Farmers Market:   Sunday, October 4th, 10 a.m. 2 p.m.


Meanwhile over at UBC Farm ... they will have a U-pick Pumpkin Patch. You can view a map of the field where you can pick pumpkins from here: U-pick pumpkin map . U-pick pumpkins will be available through October as supplies last. Pumpkins are $5 each. There will be a trailer by the front gate/Harvest Hut area with a money box attached for you to put your payment in. Please ensure that you only take pumpkins from the designated U-pick area. Pumpkins in other fields at the farm are set aside for children who have pre-booked tours with their schools. UBC Harvest Festival will take place October 3. Details to be announced.



RESTAURANTS


Join Pied-à-Terre , La Buca and L’Altro Buca in celebrating an adventurous selection of rare game, bold sauces and the finest funghi during this year’s Game and Wild Mushroom Festival , held October 15th to October 24th. Chef Andrey Durbach ’s menus highlight the flavours of the autumn harvest and will offer diners a chance to experience the earthy tastes of locally foraged morels, chanterelles, matsutake, porcini and field mushrooms served alongside hearty cuts of unsung game and the rich reductions. For the first time, the Game and Wild Mushroom Festival will be featured on the menus at each of the three sister restaurants. Log onto the website links above to find more information and the complete menus being offered at each location.

  Bistro Pastis is offering a La Cuisine de Chez Nous menu for the entire month of October.  Perfect for a crisp autumn evening by Bistro Pastis’ fireplace, this three-course menu is a demonstration of ‘The Art of French Cooking - French Classics Mastered' as loved by Julia Child: Boeuf Bourguignon, Classic Coq au Vin, Sole Normande, Salade Frisée with Smoked Bacon and Poached Egg, Potato and Leek Soup, Terrine de Canard served with traditional cornichons, Tarte aux Pommes with Caramel Sauce and Crème Anglaise; Profiteroles au Chocolate. $37.50 for your choice of three-courses. 2153 West 4th Ave., Vancouver. 604-731-5020.

La Brasserie , a Davie Street favourite for Franco-German comfort food, will be celebrating its first anniversary in October.  From October 1 to October 3, (in addition to their regular menu) La Brasserie will be offering a special Oktoberfest menu that will include three different varieties of Schnitzel ($18), Maultaschen ($17) – a German ravioli filled with spinach, beef and pork – as well as their near-famous Bratwurst ($15) and Roast Suckling Pig ($18). In true Oktoberfest style, one-litre steins of Konig Ludwig will be available for $10. The birthday weekend will culminate with an Oktoberfest party on Oct 4 from 7 p.m. to midnight. Tables will be cleared, kegs will be tapped and lederhosen will be donned. Guests will receive a complimentary birthday beer and complimentary bratwurst and suckling pig sandwiches will be served. 1091 Davie Street., Vancouver. 604-568-6499.

NEW: Moustache Cafe: Chef Geoff Lundholm has begun a series of Monday night cooking classes at the restaurant. Each class will include a hands-on demonstration of the dishes being served, and is suitable for everyone from kitchen neophytes to accomplished cooks. The first class commences on September 28, 2009. $75 includes recipes, a three-course dinner and wine. For information about the specific dishes that will be prepared in each class, see the website link above.129 West 2nd Ave., North Vancouver. 604-987-8461.  

Voya Restaurant and Lounge guests can choose any starter, any main and any dessert from the full Voya Dinner menu - Monday through Wednesday - for just $38. Add even more value to the evening with a bottle of vino - discounted by 40-60% - as recommended by in-house Sommelier Robert Herman . In addition, starting September 24, every Thursday from 4 - 8 p.m. in the Voya Lounge, Voya will be giving guests a little something special - compliments of the house - from gratis snacks to sips. Or, pop your cork for this bubbly offer - Voya will be offering a selection of bubbly at cost plus $20.10 per bottle. The 'Bubble Bar at Voya' will launch October 15th  and will be on offer every night of the week through December. Voya Hotel. 1177 Melville Street, Vancouver. 604 639-VOYA.




WINE

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards has become the first Canadian winery to complete the Climate Smart program and offset their carbon footprint. Climate Smart, launched in 2007 and similar to other programs world-wide, teaches business principals to measure, reduce and offset their carbon footprint. Winemaker Sandra Oldfield and General Manager Shaun Everest participate in the program by calculating the total greenhouse gas emissions produced by the winery, target areas to cut emissions with a continued effort towards 100% carbon neutral practices, and offset the carbon footprint with the help of Vancouver based Offsetters , Canada’s premier provider of high quality solutions for individuals and organizations seeking to reduce their climate impact.

Wine Plus+ has just finished a very busy summer and is now getting ready for the Fall program of WSET Courses. Rhys Pender 's wine education company has also introduced a new series of monthly tastings and has expanded its selection of WSET courses to include two Foundation Certificate and two Intermediate Certificate programs this Fall. Click the website link for the schedule. Pender is also another step closer to completing the Master of Wine. His dissertation is currently under revision to be submitted in March 2010.

On Thursday September 24th, James Cluer 's Fine Vintage Wine Club looks forward to welcoming  5 winemakers to compliment their own range of over 30 wines. Meet the people from Gloria Ferrer in California, Lungarotti in Italy, Moillard in France, and Bleasdale in Australia, as well as a local producer. There is a limited number of club memberships available. Join their monthly tastings run in a relaxed wine fair style format for $29.99 per month. Sign-up via the weblink above. 



BEER

On September 24, Guinness will be 250 years old and bars and pubs will be taking a moment to honour the day around the world.  For the occasion, The Irish Heather will have an Irish piper from the BC Regiment , complete with a saffron kilt and bottle green tunic to accompany all drinkers raising a pint to Arthur Guinness at exactly 17.59 sharp.




SHOPS

Trees Organic Coffee and Roasting House is opening its newest location in Yaletown at 1391 Richards Street. This is the third cafe in the Trees family to offer a signature line of house roasted organic coffee,  signature cheesecakes, as well as breakfast and lunch foods. In celebration of the new cafe, the owners are planning an all day tasting party on Tuesday, September 22 with free samples of coffee, cheesecake, muffins, scones and sandwiches, plus live music from Thom Adkins . 7 a.m. to evening.
  
 


PEOPLE

Andy Crimp , formerly the General Manager at Nu restaurant and in previous years, a co-owner of the Raintree Restaurant in Gastown, has joined Au Petit Chavignol as General Manager.  Andy follows  Annette Rawlinson who had been hired on contract specifically to get the front of house up and running.

The Canadian Chefs’ Congress 2010 steering committee has announced that the next sitting of the Congress (September 11, 2010), will be held at Providence Farm , in the Cowichan Valley. The theme for the event will be   "Oceans of Tomorrow", two days of conversation and deliberation on the state of our water ways, our effect on marine life and what constructive steps our industry can build to help improve the health of our oceans. Beginning with the keynote speaker, Dr. David Suzuki , chefs will have the opportunity to learn about our oceans and how they can effect change via workshops, seminars, and presentations by local suppliers, producers, and farmers and chefs from across the country. Delegate package is $200 plus processing fee. The Congress is open to all Canadian chefs, cooks, apprentices, culinary students and teachers. The first 200 registrants are invited to the exclusive whole roasted pork media dinner on Friday, September 10, 2010. The heritage hogs will be specifically raised and fed for the event and the meal will be prepared by members of the Chefs’ Table Society of BC .


 
REGIONAL

Whistler : Hell's Kitchen , the reality TV series that pits aspiring chefs against each other under the searing scrutiny of Chef Gordon Ramsay , thrusts Whistler and Araxi Restaurant onto centre stage during a special two-hour episode airing Tuesday, Sept. 22 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX .  Earlier this year, Hell's Kitchen announced that the grand prize for this season is a Head Chef position at Araxi - providing the winner with the opportunity to work under Executive Chef James Walt as Whistler welcomes the world during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games . Chef Ramsay paid a secret visit to Whistler earlier this year to film a teaser featuring Araxi Restaurant. In the episode, Chef Ramsay shows the chefs just how high the stakes are via a satellite tour of the restaurant and Whistler's breathtaking natural surroundings. The chefs must use 15 local ingredients - personally selected by Executive Chef James Walt and flown in from Whistler. Guest judges include Olympians Sasha Cohen and Jonny Moseley . Stay tuned for information about an exclusive finale event at Araxi on Tuesday, October 13 featuring Executive Chef James Walt and Hell's Kitchen contestants.


Kootenay : Cued to roll November 19 - 22, the 10th annual Rossland Mountain Film Festival will usher locals and visitors alike into screening rooms throughout town for four days of film, visual arts, music and multi-media productions. Screening work from up-and-coming Kootenay filmmakers, photographers and visual artists, this marquee event kicks off Thursday with cool beats and plenty of libations during a gala gathering in the town's Old Fire Hall . Friday follows with screenings for all ages, and late night festivities complete with feature films and a live band. Saturday and Sunday: filmmaker workshops, guests speakers, viewings of archival Rossland ski footage, free showcases of photos and film, entertainment, and, of course, a rocking festival projecting over 20 original features. Popcorn included.


Victoria: The gourmet food and beverage purveyors of Willows Centre are celebrating the launch of Victoria’s newest foodie enclave with a neighbourhood party. The Willows Centre grand opening is a free community event being held Thursday, September 24 from 4 to 9 p.m. All three of the Willows Centre merchants involved are standouts in their areas. BC Wineguys is a  specialty retailer of 100 percent BC VQA wines, Bistro 28 is the city’s newest small-plate-focused restaurant, and Slater’s First Class Meats has long established itself as a butcher shop and specialty foods store. Each of the owners – Glenn Barlow of BC Wineguys, Sam Chalmers of Bistro 28, and Geoff Martin and Cameron Doyle of Slater’s Meats are committed to shaping Willows Centre into a food-and-wine micro-community focused on local product.



NEW EVENTS IN THE CALENDAR

SEPTEMBER 24, 2009 :
7th Annual FarmAde at UBC Farm .
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This, family-friendly, all-ages event includes: beer garden, BBQ burgers, veggie burgers and vegan burgers featuring UBC farm greens, and fresh corn. Live local music including Agora String Band. 3 - 7 p.m. Free Admission. Free shuttle service will available but walking and cycling are highly recommended. Taking place at UBC Farm. 6182 South Campus Rd. UBC. Vancouver


SEPTEMBER 28, 2009 :
Sazerac Dinner at Irish Heather .
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The Irish Heather will offers a reception, tasting and dinner on their long table that will feature an exclusive selection of bourbons produced by Buffalo Trace Distillery of Frankfort, Kentucky. The bourbon line up will feature bottles that have never been available in Canada, or are only available in strictly limited quantities. Supper includes local ham with Buffalo Trace and cherry compote, and for dessert, apple pie topped with "Fireball" cinnamon whiskey ice cream. Guest speaker: Andrew Skarritt of Cask Strength. $40 plus tax and 15% service. 7:30 to 10 p.m. 212 Carrall St., Vancouver. 

 
SEPTEMBER 29, 2009:
Small lots, Medium Price, Big Wines .
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Wine agent Flame Eadie leads a tasting of wines from New Zealand, Portugal and BC. Try a sampling of five new wines and have five wine-inspired food tasters from Executive Chef Buddy Wolfe as Flame takes you through the casual tasting. 6 - 7 p.m.  $25 per person. Seasons in the Park Restaurant. Queen Elizabeth Park, Vancouver. Reserve by credit card at: (604) 874-8008.


OCTOBER 2 -4, 2009 :
Vancouver Chinese Cultural Festival '09 .
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To celebrate the 60 Anniversary of Chinese National Day and Heritage, the Association of Chinese Cultural Promotion Canada is working with Donnelly & Associates to produce Vancouver Chinese Cultural Festival’09. The  VCCF’09 will present a three-day program which features pavilion displays, sponsor exhibits, Chinese food experience and non-stop Chinese entertainment. The festival will include matinee performances and exhibits as well as ticketed concerts in the evenings. The performances on stage will include both modern and traditional performers, featuring a fusion of Chinese influence of live music, dance, fashion and art all on one stage. The event will also display the experience of Moon Cake Festival with lanterns and a wide variety of activities. Taking place at the Plaza of Nations. 770 Pacific Blvd., Vancouver.


OCTOBER 3, 2009 :
Harvest Festival at UBC Farms .
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Details to be announced. At UBC Farm. 6182 South Campus Rd. UBC. Vancouver.


OCTOBER 3, 2009 :
Rabbit Fest at Crowsnest Vineyards .
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Hop to it! The popular, 5-course "Rabbit Fest" takes place at Crowsnest Vineyards during the Fall Okanagan Wine Festival. 2 p.m. $75 per person. 2036 Surprise Drive. Cawston, Similkameen Valley, BC
250-499-5129.


OCTOBER 3, 2009 :
Chef Melissa Craig at Black Hills Estate Winery .
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The executive chef at Whistler’s Bearfoot Bistro, will take her cooking skills to the Black Hills Estate Winery for the ‘Bearfoot at Black Hills’ Harvest Dinner.  Diners at the Bearfoot at Black Hills dinner will enjoy a harvest dinner prepared and served in a tent right in the Black Hills vineyard. Four courses will be served and paired with Black Hills wines, which will include the Nota Bene, Alibi, Carmenere and Chardonnay. Along with chef Craig, Black Hills winemaker Graham Pierce will provide commentary and insight into the food and wine pairings and characteristics. 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.  Tickets are $199 and available on Ticketweb. Black Hills Estate Winery, 30880 Black Sage Road, Oliver, B.C.


OCTOBER 4, 2009 :
2nd Annual Island Chefs' Survival .
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Victoria's finest chefs battle obstacles and race through farm fields to find the food and utensils they need to create two dishes for auction. All proceeds go to protect Madrona Farm, in association with The Land Conservancy of BC's efforts to secure the farm's continued viability for future generations. Noon to 6 p.m. Tickets are $75, and available at Madrona farm stand, 4317 Blenkinsop Rd., Wednesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Capital Iron locations (downtown Victoria and Sidney), and Hemp & Company (Government Street store). Limited number of tickets available. 250-477-3093.

 
OCTOBER 4, 2009 :
Gourmet and Grapes Gala .
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Cabana Bar and Grille will host this event as part of the Okanagan Fall Wine Festival. This mixing, mingling and grazing event will boast food stations helmed by some of the Okanagan's best chefs including: Ned Bell - Cabana Grille, Mathew Batey – Mission Hill, Malcolm Gibb - Wild Apple Restaurant, Reg Hendrickson - Dairy Farmers of Canada, Jeremy Luypen - Hotel Eldorado Dining Room, Roger Planiden – Great Estates of the Okanagan and Heath Cates – The Harvest Restaurant. Participating wineries include: Mission Hill Family Estate Winery, Gray Monk Estate Winery, Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, Pentage Wines, Sandhill Vineyards, and Great Estates of the Okanagan including Nk'Mip Cellars, Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, See Ya Later Ranch, Jackson-Triggs Vintners and Inniskillin Okanagan Vineyards. Get up close and personal with your favourite vintners and chefs, sample and swirl the best of new fall releases and enjoy the excitement of the friendly Iron Chef showdown. Cabana's own chef Ned Bell welcomes Wayne Martin, executive chef and co-owner of Vancouver's Fraiche Restaurant, Crave Beachside and Crave Main for the fun cook-off.  Tickets are $79, and include wine tastings, food stations, complimentary wine glass and entertainment and can be purchased through Ticketmaster by calling 250-860-1470 or going online at www.ticketmaster.ca. At Cabana Grill, 3799 Lakeshore Road., Kelowna.


OCTOBER 5, 2009 :
Bordeaux Extravaganza at Le Gavroche Restaurant .
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Join Waldorf Wine Group inc at Le Gavroche Restaurant to taste a selection of the recently-released 2006 Bordeaux Classed-Growth wines with the Commanderie de Bordeaux. Representatives from Bordeaux supplier Veyret-Latour will be attending to present the wines and to give an insider’s point of view into the world of Bordeaux wines. This will be a great opportunity to sample some of the recently-released 2006 Classed-Growth Bordeaux properties plus a few more mature examples for the incredibly low price of only $30. Wines to be poured include: Ch. Cantemerle 2006, Ch. Branaire Ducru 2006, Ch. Talbot 2006, Ch. Issan 2006,  Ch. Malescot St Exupery 2006, Ch. Pichon Lalande 2006, Ch. Haut Bailly 2006, Ch. Caronne Ste. Gemme 2004, Ch. Bernadotte 2001 (*lineup may be subject to change). $30 per person. Space limited to 30 persons. 6:30 p.m. Le Gavroche Restaurant, 1616 Alberni St. Vancouver, 604-685-3924. Tickets must be purchased in advance via Le Gavroche.


OCTOBER 8, 2009:
Sherry Tasting with Wines of Spain.
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Wine Umbrella produces a one-night only Sherry-Tapas Bar at Commercial Drive’s Croatian Cultural Centre featuring the diverse wines of Sherry ( from bone-dry Finos to sticky-sweet Pedro Ximenez (PX) Sherries, as well as Olorosos, Amontillados, Medium and Cream styles.)
Presented alongside these fortified wines will be an abundance of signature tapas created by Vancouver’s Celebrity Tapas Chef Gord Martin of Bin 941 and Bin 942. Running from 5 to 8 p.m., the evening’s vibe will be set by DJ Leanne. Ticket price is $29 – a charity fundraiser for Partners in Recovery. Purchase at website link above. 3250 Commercial Drive., Vancouver.


OCTOBER 17, 18, 2009 :
Stone Soup Film Festival .
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Exploring the Politics of Food. View local and international films on a range of topics including health and nutrition, globalization, urban agriculture, worker's rights. Presented by the East End Food Co-op and the Grandview Woodland Food Connection. Festival passes - $15 Available at Britannia, Entrance at the door per film slot by donation. Funds to support community gardening. Britannia Community Services Centre. 1661 Napier St., Vancouver. For more info 604-5800.

OCTOBER 29, 2009 :
A Taste of Napa .
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Thirty vintners pour their most notable wines. Guests will be able to bid on rare, wine related silent auction items, with all proceeds from tickets and auction items going to Arts Umbrella to support the mission of inspiring kids for life through the arts. $75. For tickets or information see the website link above.  7 - 9:30 p.m. at the Fairmont Waterfront hotel. 900 Canada Place Way, Vancouver.

NOVEMBER 3, 2009:
Flavours of Italy .
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For the 7th consecutive year, the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada brings you “Flavours of Italy”, a month-long celebration of Italian food and wine comprising various events throughout the Lower Mainland. During the Gala Dinner on November 3rd, they will be organising a Live & Silent Auction in support of the Michael Cuccione Foundation.  Wine Tasting + Fashion Show + Gala Dinner + Live Auction. $150 ($120 for ICCC Members). Wine Tasting only - 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. $40 ($30 for ICCC Members).


NOVEMBER 25 - 27, 2009:
Whole Hog Dinner at Fuel.
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Chef Robert Belcham's The ‘Whole Hog’ menu will feature pork from Sloping Hills Farm. The five-course menu is $69; and wine pairings chosen by Sommelier Tom Doughty can be added for $39. Pork selections to be featured on the ‘Whole Hog’ menu include: Spiced Crackling with Salsa Verde, Stuffed Trotter, Finocchiono, Smoked Lard Ravioli with Fried Brain, Slow-Roasted Shoulder and Bacon Ice Cream. 5:30 p.m. Due to limited quantities please reserve ahead by calling 604-288-7905, and provide a credit card to reserve your table. Fuel Restaurant. 1944 West 4th Ave., Vancouver, B.C.


JANUARY 16 - 24, 2010 :
Winter Wine Festival at SunPeaks .
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The Icewine Festival has been a staple at Sun Peaks Resort every January, and while this winter is no exception, the festival has been rebranded as the Winter Wine Festival. The expanded event will highlight not only icewines, but also many different varietals from the Okanagan Valley. Wander through the snow covered village sampling wine during the Progressive Tasting, learn how to pair cheese with different varietals, or indulge yourself in a Winemasters’ Dinner at a local restaurant. Kamloops, B.C.