Playhouse Wine Festival will bring world’s top wine producers and personalities; Dining Out For Life at The Refinery; New executive chef named for Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver plus addition of sommelier for Market by Jean-Georges; The Ride to Conquer Cancer — fundraising brunch at Elixir; Araxi cookbook receives prestigious James Beard Award nomination; Share a kitchen and dinner with Lumiere chef, Dale MacKay; r.tl undergoing exciting improvements.
Meet the industry’s international young guns and master vintners Vancouver,
The 2010 Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival will open its doors to some of the most progressive winemakers and winery principals in the world. These trailblazers will be at various Festival tastings and events, offering both wine neophytes and serious oenophiles alike the unique opportunity to meet and chat with them one-on-one.
LEADING LADIES
Joining from theme region Argentina and representing Bodega Catena Zapata is Laura Catena, Winery President and daughter of iconic proprietor and Decanter’s Man of the Year 2009, Nicolas Catena. As the leader of the research and development initiatives for the winery, Laura focuses on Malbec-specific site selection and blending from different altitudes – a practice that is unique to Argentina. In addition to her trendsetting in Mendoza, Laura lives part-time in San Francisco, where she works both as an emergency room doctor as well as an educator in emergency medicine. At the Festival, Laura will lead an intimate tasting of two choice verticals including all three Super Malbecs at the Bodega Catena Zapata: Now and For All Time event held at the Terminal City Club, Ceperley-Walker Room, 837 West Hastings Street, on Thursday, April 22nd from 5:15 – 6:45 pm.
Recently crowned German Wine Queen Sonja Christ is a 25-year-old MBA graduate and winemaker’s daughter from the Mosel region. Sonja will be joining the Festival this year as an ambassador for German winegrowers. The Wine Queen is selected via a national competition that pits wine savvy women against each other for a title that bears the unique responsibility of educating the public domain on all things German wine. One of her 250 international appearances this year will include a celebration of Germans wines alongside bites by Chef Rob Belcham and beats from DJ Leanne at this year’s German Zest Fest being held at Campagnolo Restaurant, 1020 Main Street, Tuesday, April 20th from 9:00 – 11:00 pm.
MASTER MAKERS
From pioneering single-vineyard wines in California, to crafting unfiltered, unfined wines with native yeasts, Paul Hobbs has established a reputation that reaches far beyond the sunny regions of Napa and Sonoma. His love of old-world techniques and forging into unknown territory has seen him playing an integral role in determining the direction of the winemaking revolution in the Festival’s co-theme region, Argentina. Lecturing on worldwide regional variations in both viticulture and vinification, Global Winemaking with Paul Hobbs takes place at VCC West, meeting room 110, 1055 Canada Place on Thursday, April 22nd from 5:00 – 6:45 pm.
Venerated sommelier and Gerant of Rubicon Estate, Larry Stone will be in Vancouver to lead a boardroom tasting of hand selected vintages from the legendary winery. Mr. Stone is the only American to have earned the title of French Master Sommelier from the Union de la Sommelerie in France, is a two-time recipient of the James Beard Award for Outstanding Wine Service, and sits on the Board of Directors of the Court of Master Sommeliers. His fascination with the grape has led to becoming actively involved in winemaking, and Stone creates Napa Valley Cabernet, Cabernet Franc and Merlot for Rubicon under his own Sirita label, named for his daughter. The Rubicon Estate: Rutherford Dust & Larry Stone event will take place at the Terminal City Club’s Ceperley-Walker Room at 837 West Hastings Street on April 21st from 4:00 – 5:30pm but is SOLD OUT, however Larry Stone is also scheduled to attend Laura Catena’s Boardroom Tasting.
MOVERS AND SHAKERS
Known for his outstanding Syrahs and Cabernets, South African winemaker Marc Kent joins the Festival representing his winery Boekenhoutskloof. A former server who tasted his way through several vintages of all the first-growths including wines from DRC, Petrus, and the Mosel – by the age of 22 – Marc went on to produce wine for Boekenhoutskloof (the only SA winery to be rated “Outstanding” by Robert Parker) and the first and only winery at which he has ever worked, producing 500 cases in his first vintage in 1996. Marc is considered by his peers to be a rising star in the arena of young, energetic winemakers producing quality small lots out of South Africa. Mark will be speaking at the South Africa Treasure, North Shore Gem winemakers dinner at Moustache Cafe, 129 West 2nd Street, North Vancouver on April 20th from 6:30 – 9:30pm.
An outstanding group of international wine stars will gather for the Festival’s first Meet your Match: Speed Dating Meets Wine Tasting event. Guests will have a very unique opportunity to personally ask questions of each attending principal, including New Zealand’s Matua Valley winery founder, Bill Spence, the man responsible for the first plantings of sauvignon blanc and subsequently spearheading a country-wide movement. Also attending will be Kendall-Jackson Winemaster and Chief Operating Officer, Randy Ullom who is charged with the direction of vineyards in California and Argentina, and is one of the few winemakers in the world to work two harvests a year in two different hemispheres. Guests will also have a chance to chat with Okanagan wine aficionado and internationally recognized winemaker Anthony Von Mandl; the young and dynamic Chianti Classico estate man, Sergio Zingarelli; Trapiche trailblazer Daniel Pi; and Beaucastel’s Thomas Perrin to name a few. Each of these prolific personalities will be clad with wine and ready to answer questions about their lives, their love of wine, and more at VCC West, 1055 Canada Place on Saturday, April 24th from 5:00-6:45 pm.
About the Playhouse Wine Festival
The Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival, Canada’s premier wine show, runs from April 19 to 25, 2010. The Playhouse Wine Festival is one of the biggest and oldest wine festival events in the world. The featured theme regions for 2010 will be Argentina and New Zealand with the global focus of rosé. The festival features a week of special events including a gala auction, wine seminars, wine minglers, winery dinners, lunches and brunches at fine restaurants and hotels. The Playhouse Wine Festival is produced by the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Society, which has three mandates: provide an informative, educational and entertaining wine experience for consumers and trade; be a premier marketing opportunity for the wine industry and festival partners; and raise funds for the Playhouse Theatre Company. Since its inception in 1979, the festival has raised over $6.8 million to enable Western Canada’s leading theatre company to mount 209 productions and develop extensive community outreach and educational programs. The Shore Club generously presents the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival.
Visit: www.playhousewinefest.com
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DINING OUT FOR LIFE AT THE REFINERY – THURSDAY MARCH 25 2010
Participating restaurants from Whistler to White Rock and across the Fraser Valley are encouraging diners to eat out and support those individuals living with HIV/AIDS. As one of Vancouver’s most innovative and exciting restaurants located on the newly revitalized Granville Strip, The Refinery is proud to participate. Chef Michael Carter’s menu for the evening is both delicious, and well orchestrated without breaking the bank. Accompanied with some of the finest British Columbian wines, this evening will leave you feeling satisfied both in mind and body.
Dining Out for Life Menu
$28 3 course “Prix-fixe” Appetizer: please choose one.
Albacore Tuna Tartar Local B.C tuna, fresh orange, Serrano chili peppers, burnt orange vinaigrette, cilantro
The Refinery Mixer Board A daily selection of local cured meat, artisan cheeses and homemade accompaniments
Roasted Vegetable Salad Roasted red pepper, grilled asparagus, butternut squash, caramelized pearl onions, pesto, garlic crouton
Main Course: please choose one.
Seared Tenderloin Flatbread Caramelized onions, parmesan cheese, arugula, truffle oil
Coq au Vin Slow braised chicken thighs, caramelized pearl onions, roasted onions, red wine demi glace
Wild Mushroom Ragout Wild local mushrooms, white beans, roasted red pepper, spinach, sage, parmesan After: please choose one.
Goat Cheese Cake Caramel almond crust, sour cherries Okanagan Fruit Crisp Apple, pear, vanilla, cognac, whipped cream –
Featured Wines by the glass & bottle:
Bubble: Sparkling, Sumac Tribute blanc de blancs, Okanagan Valley, BC $10/gl $68/bottle
White: See Ya Later Ranch “Unleashed” Chardonnay Hawthorn Mountain, BC $10/gl $50/bottle
Inniskillin Chenin Blanc Okanagan Valley, BC $11/gl $54/bottle
NK’MIP Winemaker’s Series Riesling Osoyoos, BC $11/gl $53/bottle
Red: NK’MIP Winemaker’s Series Pinot Noir Osoyoos, BC $12/gl $60/bottle
Sumac Ridge “Black Sage” Merlot Summerland, BC $12/gl $60/bottle
Jackson-Triggs “Grand Reserve” Cabernet Sauvignon Oliver, BC $13/gl $65/bottle
Additionally, Sumac Ridge Estate Winery will donate $1 for every bottle purchased at any BC restaurant or liquor store during the entire month of March. Just when you thought the corporate world couldn’t be more loving? Stella Artois will also donate $1 from every sale at a Dining Out For Life restaurant on March 27. Awesome. A Dining Out for Life volunteer will be at The Refinery for part of the night in case any of our guests have any questions or wish to make an additional donation to the charity.
Why? because we’re all good people. The Refinery and other participating restaurants will donate 25% of your food bill to benefit Friends For Life & A Loving Spoonful on March 27. How? Invite your friends and dine at The Refinery for Dinner.
To book a reservation, click here or call 604.687.8001 We look forward to having you part of a very special and thoughtful evening with us.
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NEW EXECUTIVE CHEF NAMED FOR SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, VANCOUVER PLUS ADDITION OF SOMMELIER FOR MARKET BY JEAN-GEORGES
Ed Brea, general manager, Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver and Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten announce the promotion of Wayne Harris to the role of executive chef, Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver and the appointment of David Tremblay as sommelier of MARKET by Jean-Georges, the hotel’s signature restaurant.
Wayne Harris was part of the hotel’s opening team and key to the development of the culinary brigade for MARKET by Jean-Georges. A significant fixture on the Vancouver dining scene since 1999, Harris has worked in the city’s leading hotels, including the Fairmont Waterfront and Pan Pacific as well as Lumiere, where the restaurant was recognized with a Mobile AAA Five-Diamond award and named to Les Grandes Tables du Monde during his tenure.
Wayne moves into the role originally held by David Foot, who announced in February his plans to travel and explore the world with his family.
“Wayne has been instrumental in the creation and success of MARKET by Jean-Georges and Shangri-La’s culinary offerings, so the promotion to executive chef was a natural fit, whole-heartedly supported by Jean-Georges,” said Brea.
“I am so very pleased that Wayne is taking on this role,” said Vongerichten. “He has proven himself a leader with our young team and his passion for what we’re doing in MARKET is very exciting to watch.”
With Chef Harris leading the culinary brigade, responsibility for the hotel’s wine program is being handled by newly appointed sommelier, David Tremblay. A member of the Vancouver Sommelier Guild, Tremblay brings extensive sales and wine service to his role in MARKET, including positions with Vancouver’s Lumiere and Le Crocodile. Most recently, Tremblay was the BC sales representative for the boutique wine importing company, Dream Wines.
MARKET by Jean-Georges features Jean-Georges’ signature ‘vibrant cuisine’ – a reflection of classic French training, 10 years spent in Asia and his philosophy of ‘global in reach, local in content.’ Accessible through the hotel, or up a flight of stairs at 1115 Alberni Street, MARKET is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently owns and/or manages 66 hotels under the Shangri-La and Traders brands with a rooms inventory of over 30,000. Shangri-La hotels are five-star deluxe properties featuring extensive luxury facilities and services. Shangri-La hotels are located in Australia, Canada, mainland China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Philippines, Singapore, Sultanate of Oman, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates. The group has over 40 projects under development in Austria, Canada, mainland China, France, India, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Russia, Qatar, Seychelles and United Kingdom. For more information or reservations, please contact a travel professional or access the website at www.shangri-la.com.
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THE RIDE TO CONQUER CANCER – FUNDRAISING BRUNCH AT ELIXIR
Conquering Cancer One Mile at a Time (Vancouver, BC) March 25, 2010 – Elixir Bistro Executive Chef Don Letendre has once again embarked on a history-making opportunity to make an epic crusade against cancer. On June 19 and 20, 2010, Letendre will cycle for two days from Vancouver to Seattle in the Ride to Conquer Cancer, which brings together athletes, cycling enthusiasts, and anyone looking for an extreme challenge and a great cause.
On Sunday May 2, Elixir Bistro at OPUS Hotel Vancouver hosts a fundraiser brunch and silent auction, benefitting Team Merckx. Letendre is honoured to once again join this team, which was started by former pro cyclist and Tour de France participant Axel Merckx and wife Jody Merckx of Kelowna. The goal of Team Merckx is to raise $100,000.00 for the Ride to Conquer Cancer. Proceeds from the brunch will go toward the team’s ambitious target. For more information, or to make a donation visit: www.conquercancer.ca. 
In the spirit of the cycling event, Executive Chef Don Letendre has partnered up with Team Merckx captain Olivier Lebeau to develop a custom menu featuring specialty items including: The After Burn (scallion and bacon waffle, poached eggs, grilled asparagus tomato jam and sauce béarnaise) and Licking the Front Tire (Pavlova, lemon curd and fresh berries). The three-course set brunch will be served on Sunday, May 2 from 10:00am – 3:30pm at $40.00 per person. $30.00 will cover the cost of food and $10.00 will go directly to the cause. There is also a children’s menu available for $30.00. For more information or to make a reservation call 604.642.0557.
Elixir Bistro French Bistro meets affordable Yaletown glamour in Elixir. Recognized as the bronze recipient for casual French cuisine at the coveted Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards; Elixir is also a founding member of the Ocean Wise Program and Green Table Network. Chef Don Letendre specializes in classic French cuisine, crafting innovative dishes from the freshest regional and seasonal ingredients. Choose a room to suit your mood: bustling Bistro, airy Garden Room or plush Velvet Room. Elixir provides warm, attentive service in a vibrant atmosphere popular with style savvy travelers and discerning locals alike. Valet parking is available. www.elixirvancouver.ca
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NORTHERN STAR
Araxi: Seasonal Recipes from the Celebrated Whistler Restaurant receives prestigious James Beard Award nomination
Whistler, B.C. – The warm afterglow of the Winter Olympics was further brightened when Araxi: Seasonal Recipes from the Celebrated Whistler Restaurant recently gained two international cookbook awards and high praise from chefs Gordon Ramsay and Heston Blumenthal.
Yesterday, things went truly stellar, with the nomination of Araxi for a James Beard Foundation Award.
Araxi by James Walt was nominated for the ‘Cooking from a Professional Point of View’ category, along with Momofuku by David Chang and Peter Meehan and The Fundamental Techniques of Classic Pastry Arts by The French Culinary Institute with Judith Choate.
“I’m absolutely delighted for our entire culinary team at Araxi, along with John Sherlock, Jim Tobler, and our publisher, Douglas & McIntyre, all of whom dedicated a great deal of time and expertise to this important project,” said Jack Evrensel, proprietor of Top Table Group.
One of only two Canadian nominations, this recognition continues Chef Walt’s ties with the James Beard Foundation, having performed three times at James Beard House (in 1998, 2002, and 2006) in New York City’s Greenwich Village.
“I’m proud to receive this nomination,” said Chef Walt. “It’s a pleasure to be recognized amongst those I admire and I wish David Chang, Peter Meehan, Judith Choate, and all of the other nominees the very best.”
The winners will be announced in New York City on Sunday, May 2, 2010 at an invitation-only event honouring the nation’s top cookbooks, food journalists and culinary broadcast programs.
About the James Beard Foundation Awards Established in 1990, the annual James Beard Foundation Awards honour the best and the brightest talents in the food and beverage industries and continue to emphasize the Foundation’s mission: to celebrate, preserve, and nurture America’s culinary heritage and diversity. For more information and a complete list of 2010 nominees, visit www.JBFAwards.com.
About Araxi A culinary cornerstone in the heart of Whistler Village, Araxi holds an international reputation for excellence in food, wine and hospitality. Chef James Walt’s regional menu showcases the finest locally-sourced ingredients from nearby Pemberton Valley Farms, and offers the freshest seafoods from the Pacific Ocean. 4222 Village Square, Whistler. 604.932.4540 www.araxi.com
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SHARE A KITCHEN AND DINNER WITH LUMIERE CHEF DALE MACKAY
Ever dream of sharing a kitchen with a Grand Chef Relais & Chateaux? Well now you can. Enjoy a private cooking lesson for eight, plus dinner with Lumière Executive Chef Dale MacKay.
Chef Mackay invites you to rendezvous with him in the Lumière kitchen at 4:30 pm on Monday, March 29th. After the class, sit down with Dale in the Private Dining room and share the evening and the delicious meal you made together. Sommelier Drew Walker will arrange gorgeous wines to pair.
Learn what inspires a market-fresh meal and how a seasonal menu comes together. Classes are very hands-on and participants will learn techniques they can easily master and use at home. Cooking classes sell out very quickly, so be sure to reserve a spot early and avoid disappointment.
Space is extremely limited (no more than 8 guests in the kitchen) so be sure to book your spot today. The cost to attend and for dinner is a modest $165 per person for the cooking lesson, and a three course dinner with wines paired by Sommelier Drew Walker.
To reserve or inquire please email Lumière Maitre d’ Drew Walker or call 604.739.8185.
*An $85 per person dinner-only companion fare is offered for friends, family and spouses. Companion fare excludes the lesson, but includes full service of the three-course dinner with the paired wines. Taxes and gratuity not included.
Visit our event page for complete details and to learn what guests and critics have to say about ‘Learn to Cook Like a Chef’.
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R.TL UNDERGOING EXCITING IMPROVEMENTS
We are nearing the summer again and with fresh and light seasonal flavours and dishes in order, and in anticipation of its second summer in operation, r.tl has planned some improvements starting March 17, 2010, coinciding with its new summer regional menu.
Some of these improvements include:
• installing removable glazing to host guests in an open air dining room
• implementing some decorative additions in the dining room
• making decorative additions to the facade
• putting in an extended bar top
• offering beer on tap
r.tl will re-open daily from 5PM with a new regional menu, with dishes from the South American region and new local creations from British Columbia once these improvements are in place in late March.
regional tasting lounge (r.tl) located at 1130 Mainland St. features more than 30 wines by the glass and dishes from various regions of the world and local favorites with a changing menu. Previous features have included France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Israel, the past.
Reservations are still available through the website at www.r.tl or by phone at 604.638.1550
