Vancouver, BC (May 10, 2012) – Canada’s premier wine show has officially changed its name to Vancouver International Wine Festival. The new name drops “Playhouse” from the title. The change was announced by Randy Kaardal, chair of the festival’s board of directors, at today’s regularly scheduled meeting of participating agents and industry partners. The wine festival was created in 1979 as a fundraiser for the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company, and raised $7.8 million over the ensuing 34 years. But in March of this year the theatre company announced that it was ceasing operations. The final production in the 2011/2012 Playhouse season, God of Carnage, ended its run on May 5.

“The festival plays an important role in the culture of the city,” said Kaardal in making the announcement. “We will honour our commitment to the 25,000 wine lovers who make our festival such a success, and to the many people in the local and international wine and hospitality community who help make the festival possible. The festival is an important ingredient in Vancouver’s thriving food and hospitality industry, generating millions of dollars in economic impact through accommodation, restaurant and catering expenditures and wine sales – to say nothing of year-round jobs. We look forward to producing a very successful 2013 Vancouver International Wine Festival.”

The festival’s board of directors expects to make and announce a decision in July about future fundraising initiatives. At present, the festival is constitutionally bound as a fundraiser for the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company, and changing the designated charity requires a change of constitutional purpose and bylaws.

The festival will transition to its new identity in the coming months. The new URL is www.vanwinefest.ca and staff email addresses will change.

2013 HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY DATES

The 2013 festival plans to once again be headquartered at the Vancouver Convention Centre and at top restaurants and hotels throughout the city.

35th annual Vancouver International Wine Festival

February 25 to March 3, 2013

Projected: 1,700 wines from 180 wineries representing 15 countries

The theme region is California (the theme region or country has more wines, wineries and themed events than any other participating country)

The global focus is on Chardonnay

Winery applications for the 2013 festival open May 15 and close on June 15. Check the Exhibitors section of www.playhousewinefest.com for details

Advance tickets to selected events go on sale November 1 and all public tickets will go on sale January 8

Wine List Award entries open November 1 and close January 15

Trade Days Conference tickets go on sale January 22

ABOUT THE VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL WINE FESTIVAL

The Vancouver International Wine Festival, Canada’s premier wine show, will run from February 25to March 3, 2013. VanWineFest is one of the biggest and oldest wine festival events in the world. It features some 1,700 wines from 180 wineries representing 15 countries. Each year, the spotlight shines on one country or region and that region has more wineries, wines and themed events than any other. In 2013, the theme region is California. There also is an annual varietal or global focus, and for 2013 that varietal is Chardonnay. The festival features a week of special events including the Bacchanalia Gala Dinner + Auction, as well as wine seminars, wine minglers, winery dinners, and lunches and brunches at fine restaurants and hotels. The Vancouver International Wine Festival has three mandates: provide an informative, educational and entertaining wine experience for public and trade; be a premier marketing opportunity for the wine industry and festival partners; and raise funds for a designated charity. Since its inception in 1979, the festival raised $7.8 million for the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company. The theatre company announced in March 2012 that it was ceasing operations. The festival will announce a new designated charity in summer 2012.

Victoria, BC, April 26, 2012 — Mayor Dean Fortin will ring the opening bell at 10am on May 5th to officially start our regular season and celebrate Moss Street Market’s 20th anniversary.

The Fairfield Community Market Society (operating as the Moss Street Market), a non-profit society, was incorporated on May 6, 1992. It began as a dream of local farmer Morris Lamrock looking to open a farmers market in Victoria similar to one he had visited in Eugene, Oregon. Joined by local farmers Mary Alice Johnson and Tina Fraser, they began planning to bring about a place to bring community together in an atmosphere of fun where local farmers, foodies and arts and crafts people could sell their wares directly to the consumer. They felt the links in the community would grow stronger with the one-on-one contact between producer and consumer and bring everyone together through communication and mutual support.



20 years later Moss Street Market is still thriving and true to its roots as being a local organic farmers market with a “Make It, Bake It, Grow It” philosophy, supporting sustainable local economy. All products at the Market are made and sold directly by the local producer. The Market maintains its community neighborhood flavour through a balance of farm, food, craft and service vendors, complimented by local musicians, special event days, and the annual Moss Street Paint-In. With a little something for everyone, Moss Street Market is a favourite of its Fairfield neighbors and the larger Victoria community. Many Victorians eagerly await the arrival of Moss Street Market each spring to have a chance to buy direct from local producers, whether it’s farm produce, a tasty lunch, or handmade handicrafts.

Market Details
When? Every Saturday from May to October from 10am to 2pm

Where? The corner of Moss Street and Fairfield Road

What? Victoria’s organic farmers market. A great place to meet local farmers, buy local food and crafts, and connect with your community

The New Dining Room at Bruce's Kitchen

Salt Spring Island, BC, April 24, 2012 – Bruce’s Kitchen, Salt Spring Island’s well-loved farm to table restaurant, has opened its doors in a new, larger location across the park in Grace Point Square. The new incarnation of Bruce’s Kitchen will expand the farm to table concept of the original restaurant with a larger menu, lunch and dinner service, and a menu of BC-produced wines and beers.

Each week, Chef Bruce Wood will work directly with local farmers to design a fresh, seasonally inspired menu. From tasting platters of house-cured meats and sustainable seafood, to appetizers and main courses featuring local produce, artisan cheese and locally raised meats, the menu at Bruce’s Kitchen is an ever-changing showcase of Island flavors.

Many of the restaurant’s favorite dishes remain on the menu, from chicken pot pies to the restaurant’s infamous chili. “We want Bruce’s Kitchen to retain the same sense of community and warmth that we had in our original location,” says Chef Bruce Wood. “We are so grateful for the loyalty and support that we’ve received from this community. We want to return the favour by providing well-prepared, locally sourced, sustainable and healthy food.”

Everything in Bruce’s Kitchen is made in house, from catsup and mustard to freshly baked bread and scones. The experience of eating at Bruce’s Kitchen was described in the Summer 2010 edition of Canadian Geographic Travel magazine: “Imagine a Michelin-starred chef gone all healthy and island time.”

For additional information, contact: Bruce’s Kitchen at (250) 931-3399 or chefbruce@shaw.ca.

The British Columba Hospitality Foundation (BCHF) is pleased to announce the names of the restaurants, wineries, liquor sponsors, and bartenders who will participate in its annual fundraising event.  OnWednesday, May 16, 2012  the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel will host the Dish n’ Dazzle gala, which is always one of the most talked-about nights of the year, as industry insiders gather to socialize, be entertained, and enjoy outstanding food and drink as they support this great cause.  

Dish n’ Dazzle is truly a collaborative effort which could not happen without the support and participation of tremendous organizations and incredible individuals

Celebrated Vancouver restaurants will wow your tastebuds with their culinary creations:

• Bistro 101 at Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts
• Cafe Pacifica – The Pan Pacific Hotel
• Fleuri  at the Sutton Place Hotel
• Heron’s West Coast Kitchen + Bar
• House of Empanadas
• Hy’s Encore Steakhouse
• Kits daily Kitchen
• MARKET by Jean-Georges
• Oru at the Fairmont Pacific Rim
• PIER 7 restaurant + bar
• Rockford Wok|Bar|Grill
• Sanafir of the THE GLOWBAL COLLECTION
• The Granville Room
• Chef Anne Kirsebom

Refreshments will be provided by the following wineries, all members of event sponsor Wines of Argentina:

1.         Amalaya
2.        Casa Bianchi
3.        Casa Montes
4.         Catena Zapata
5.        Clos de los Siete
6.        Dante Robino
7.         Escorihuela 1884
8.         Familia Schroeder
9.         Familia Zuccardi
10.      Finca Decero
11.      Finca Flichman
12.      Flechas de los Andes- Compagnie Vinicole Baron Edmund de Rothschild
13.      Las Perdices
14.      Michel Torino
15.      Norton
16.      Pascual Toso
17.      Santa Ana
18.      Santa Julia
19.      Tapiz
20.      Terrazas de los Andes
21.      Trivento
22.      Vistalba

Liquor sponsors will provide liquid inspiration for the “Shakedown” cocktail competition:

•          Belvedere Vodka
•         Cointreau
•         Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch Whisky
•         Hennessey Cognac
•          Hornitos Tequila
•          Mount Gay Rum

And local Bartenders put their Cocktail creativity to the test for your delight:

• Grant Sceney – Fairmont Pacific Rim
•  Justin Taylor – YEW, Four Seasons Hotel
• Katie Sita – CinCin
•  Trixie Blumel – Shangri-La Hotel
•   Joey Donnelly – The Granville Room
•   Katie McDonald – Veneto Lounge, Hotel Rialto (Victoria)

A raffle prize put together by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts includes

• 2 nights on Fairmont Gold at the Fairmont Waterfront
• A trip for 2 on the Sea to Climb on Rocky Mountaineer
• 2 nights on Fairmont Gold at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler
• A trip for two via Harbour Air from Whistler to Victoria
• 2 nights on Fairmont Gold at the Fairmont Empress
• A flight for two from Victoria to Vancouver on a Helijet Helicopter

The silent auction is MASSIVE and filled with everything hospitality….hotel stays, restaurant gift certificates, foodie gift baskets including:

• Large format wine bottles from Okanagan wineries
• Chef’s Table dinners at Q4 Centro, PIER 7 restaurant + bar
• Luxury bedding from Northern Feather
• Top of the line Natural Gas BBQ
• Jewelry from Sugar Lime and Jeweliette
• Luxury hotel stays

Legacy Liquor Store will be supplying a lounge atmosphere where patrons can relax in a sexy space, sip enticing cocktails and wine while listening to a fabulous DJ.  Reidel glassware will be showcased and will be available for ordering at a special show price.

All proceeds from the evening, which also includes live music and a silent auction, will go to the BCHF, which provides financial support for hospitality industry members who are facing extraordinary medical expenses and awards scholarships to future industry leaders .

The event is a perennial favourite, so avoid disappointment and reserve your tickets now by visiting www.dishndazzle.com.

Dish N’ Dazzle
Wednesday, May 16 2012
6:30 – 9:30PM

Fairmont Waterfront Hotel
900 Canada Place Way, Vancouver

Tickets $75 per person

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About Wines of Argentina: Wines of Argentina is an organization responsible for the branding and promotion of Argentine wine around the globe. It brings together more than 200 wineries from every wine region in the country.

About the BCHF:  Formed in 2006, the British Columbia Hospitality Foundation (BCHF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing financial support to individuals within the hospitality community who are coping with extraordinary costs arising from a serious health crisis.  Since its inception, the Foundation has expanded to also award scholarships and bursaries to students enrolled in hospitality programmes.

About the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel: The Fairmont Waterfront provides relaxed luxury on the West Coast coupled with a world-class Vancouver experience. The hotel is in an urban retreat with elegant accommodation, state-of-the-art meeting facilities and breathtaking harbour views. Guests can enjoy a taste of local flavour in Herons West Coast Kitchen + Bar, then visit the hotel’s rooftop garden and honeybee apiary to discover where the restaurant’s fresh herbs and honey are sourced from. fairmont.com/waterfront

www.bchospitalityfoundation.com   www.dishndazzle.com                  www.winesofargentina.org

A delightfully different private evening in the River Market at  Westminster Quay featuring Spring Release wines from the Naramata Bench, along with culinary offerings from some of Vancouver’s finest restaurants as well as River Market delights.

Tickets on sale now for $85 each (plus HST).

We accept VISA and Mastercard and welcome group bookings. Please have the full names and contact information for your guests.

CLICK HERE to book tickets online.

For group bookings of 10 or more, tickets are $75/ea.

Click here for map and directions.

Phone 604.521.7887 or toll-free at 1.888.981.9886 or email events@bcculturalcrawl.com   

Talk with Slide Show and Book Signing

Sunday, April 22

Earth Day!

11:30-1:00

Banyen Books

3608 West 4th Ave., Vancouver, BC

FREE

Food & the City examines alternative food systems in cities around the globe that are shortening their food chains, growing food within their city limits, and taking their “food security” into their own hands. Award-winning food journalist Jennifer Cockrall-King sought out leaders in the urban-agriculture movement and visited cities successfully dealing with “food deserts.” What she found was not just a niche concern of activists but a global movement that cuts across the private and public spheres, economic classes, and cultures. She describes a global movement to establish alternatives to the monolithic globally integrated supermarket model.

A cadre of forward-looking, innovative people has created growing spaces in cities: on rooftops, backyards, vacant lots, along roadways, and even in “vertical farms.” The urban food revolution is clearly underway and working.

Food and the City is an exciting, fascinating chronicle of a game-changing movement, a rebellion against the industrial food behemoth, and a reclaiming of communities to grow, distribute, and eat locally.

Jennifer Cockrall-King is a freelance journalist and food writer whose work has appeared in the Chicago Sun-Times, National Post, Canadian Geographic, Maclean’s, and other major publications. 
In 2007, Jennifer was awarded the Canadian Federation of Chefs and Cook’s Sandy Sanderson national food writing award for her contribution to the Canadian food media scene. Jennifer’s new book Food and the City won the 2011 Dave Greber Freelance Book Award, a Canadian national award that recognizes excellence in social justice writing.

Jennifer Cockrall-Kings’ blog: http://foodgirl.ca

Vancouver BC:  The 19th annual Chardonnay du Monde results have been announced awarding the Sandhill 2010 Chardonnay with a gold medal, the only gold medal awarded to a Canadian winery this year.

“Winning a gold medal in this prestigious international competition is a great honour”, says Sandhill winemaker, Howard Soon.  “I think we are successful with Canada’s only gold medal at the Chardonnay du Monde because we remain true to the Sandhill single vineyard philosophy of trying to express terroir in this Chardonnay. For me, terroir driven wines are one of the highest forms of the winemakers art.”

This year’s Chardonnay du Monde took place at the Pasteur Institute at Saint Lager in the Burgundy wine region of France.  Over 900 wines were entered from 43 countries around the world.  After four days of tasting, judges handed out medals to chardonnays that best reflected the Chardonnay du Monde motto: “diversity, quality and high standards”.

Hand harvested and whole cluster pressed, 50% of the wine was barrel fermented and aged sur lie in new and one year old French oak barrels for 9 months to provide richness and complexity. The other 50% of the wine was stainless steel fermented and aged for full expression of the fruit.  The rich mouth-feel is balanced by fresh acidity and flavours of yellow apple, pineapple, tropical fruit and spice.

Sandhill 2010 Chardonnay is available in select retail stores and restaurants in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario.  It is also available online at www.sandhillwines.ca.

For more information about Sandhill visit www.sandhillwines.ca.  To learn more about the Chardonnay du Monde visit www.chardonnay-du-monde.com

March 19, 2012 (Vancouver, BC) - The First Annual Vancouver International Tequila Expo (VITE) will take place on Saturday, May 12, 2012 at the Vancouver Convention Centre East.  It is sponsored by Las Margaritas Mexican Restaurant and the Consulate General of Mexico. Proceeds will benefit the British Columbia Hospitality Foundation (BCHF), the hospitality industry’s own charity.

VITE schedule

Two Seminars  - (Tickets $45 each)

1.       11:00 am – 12:30 pm – “Tequila 101” -  history, culture, and production of tequila

2.       1:00 pm  – 2:30 pm –  “Ancient Origins of Agave Spirits”   -  the prehistoric precursors to tequila

Trade & Media Tasting (nominal fee including donation at the door to BCHF)

• 3:00 pm –  5:00 PM – Trade and Media Tasting (nominal fee includes donation to BCHF)

Consumer Event - (Tickets $65)

• 6:00  pm – 9:00 pm – Consumer Tasting -  where guests to sample the full lines of well-known brands like Tequila Don Julio & Cabo Wabo Tequila, and  newcomers to the market like T1 Tequila Uno & Tavi Tequila, and brands not yet imported to British Columbia such as Azuñia Tequila.

Tequila Expo Founder Eric Lorenz notes that “British Columbia consumer choice has languished due to minimal diversity of available 100% agave brands, and thus tequila has not yet gained the same reverence or market-share as other world renowned D.O. spirits.  The Vancouver International Tequila Expo is going to elevate the perception of this bold, tradition-laden, world-class spirit in our province.”

Vancouver International Tequila Expo
Saturday, May 12 2012
Vancouver Convention Centre East

Tasting Seminars – $45 each
Trade Tasting 3:00 – 5:00PM – (nominal fee includes donation to BCHF)
Consumer Tasting 6:00 – 9:00 PM –  $65

#     #     #

About the Vancouver International Tequila Expo: The Vancouver International Tequila Expo was conceived in 2011 and is Western Canada’s largest festival devoted to growing the tequila category and building a strong community of Canadian aficionados of Mexico’s most well-known spirit.The First Annual Vancouver International Tequila Expo (VITE) Founding Partners are Eric Lorenz, Manuel Otero, Mirko Morhac and Darryl Lamb. The Expo has chosen the BCHF to be the benefiting charity. www.vancouvertequilaexpo.com 

About the BCHF:  Formed in 2006, the British Columbia Hospitality Foundation (BCHF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing financial support to individuals within the hospitality community who are coping with extraordinary costs arising from a serious health crisis.  Since its inception, the Foundation has expanded to also award scholarships and bursaries to students enrolled in hospitality programmes. www.bchospitalityfoundation.com

Come join the Victoria Downtown Public Market Society at Canoe Brewpub for an evening of great film, farm-folks, and local food and beer!

The VDPMS has paired up with Canoe Brewpub (450 Swift Street) to show a great new documentary on the rise of the local food movement called Ingredients we’ve sweetened the pot by inviting Brent Warner (Executive Director of Farmer’s Markets Canada) to tell us about the economic benefits of farmers’ markets on local economies.

Additionally, because doing this much good is thirsty/hungry work, Canoe will be offering free samples to the new Belgium beer they’re launching that night to accompany tasty treats from three VDPMS farmers’ market vendors – Cold Comfort, Cowichan Pasta and Vancouver Island Salt Company - as well as Belgium waffles by Canoe.  And don’t miss the local food basket and other goodies in our raffle!!

$10 tickets will be available at the door starting at 7pm

All proceeds will go towards the establishment of a downtown public market.

(Vancouver, BC, March 02, 2012) – Cactus Restaurants Ltd. is pleased to announce the official opening of its 22nd location at English Bay in Vancouver, BC. today at 5:00pm PST.

The new location is a testament to Cactus Club’s award-winning commitment to sustainability and the community. Designed and constructed to target LEED Gold (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification requirements, the building encapsulates Vancouver’s West End neighbourhood and historic waterfront location.

“English Bay and Vancouver’s West End are an iconic part of our city,” says Richard Jaffray, president and founder, Cactus Restaurants Ltd. “We are very proud to be part of this community and have worked hard with the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation to create a dining experience that reflects and encapsulates this landmark location. We are look forward to becoming a fixture in this community and its rich waterfront history.”

Constance Barnes, chair of the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation Board says, “The stunning new restaurant on English Bay is an exciting addition to our food service on one of our most popular beaches. We are extremely pleased that the Park Board has the opportunity to work with Cactus Club as they are committed to the community by local hiring of staff, career mentoring and the “good neighbour plan” for the busy West End. This brings an educational component that will benefit youth and all that are able to participate. It is important that we work collaboratively with our new partners to engage the community.”

The menu, globally-inspired and designed by food concept architect, Chef Rob Feenie, focuses on the freshest sustainable and local ingredients, including Ocean Wise sustainable seafood. In addition to long time Cactus Club favourites and Rob Feenie signature dishes, English Bay will also offer some exclusive, location specific seafood offerings. Sebastien Le Goff, sommelier and service director, has also worked with Chef Feenie and the bar and kitchen teams to create a tailor made wine menu for English Bay. In addition to the restaurant menu, the concession, scheduled to open for the summer season, will feature affordable and accessible takeout options for beach goers.

“English Bay will be our first waterfront location, and we are excited to create and offer special menu items that reflect this unique location,” says Chef Rob Feenie, food concept architect, Cactus Restaurants Ltd. “Whether you are planning an elegant seaside dinner for two or a quick bite on the beach, menu offers something for every occasion, from the scallop and salmon ceviche and albacore tuna sandwich to the elegant sake soy marinated sablefish.”

Guests of the restaurant will enjoy panoramic views of English Bay from both the beach level and upper street level of the restaurant, in addition to an outdoor beachside patio. Cactus Club English Bay is located at 1970 Beach Avenue, Vancouver

Website: www.cactusclubcafe.com