12 restaurants, cafes, bakeries & food trucks in 11 locations, will be participating in the event that will take place all over downtown Vancouver including Gastown, Yaletown, Downtown and the Westend. Each of the restaurants will be doing tasting plates of their various dishes, and some will now be offering beverages as well.

Advance Tickets: $25 per person (eventbrite fee extra) before Feb 12, $30 per person after Feb 12 (eventbrite fee extra)– ticket price includes tasting plates at each of the participating restaurants throughout the evening as well as admission to the After Party that starts at 9pm. A donation of $2 from each ticket purchased will go to support the Vancouver Food Bank.

Purchase Tickets here

Start location for the event is the W2 Media Cafe at 111 West Hastings (downtown Vancouver) –this is where all ticketholders will register and obtain their map cards for the night of eating. Visit each of the participating restaurants by walking, transit, bike, driving or carpooling with friends.

Participating restaurants and their menus for the evening event are as follows:

W2 Media Cafe 

Tasting plate: guests will be able to select 6 of the 10 items we will be featuring for their tasting plate.

Our offerings:

1. Juniper duck with wild blueberry sauce on wild rice cake
2. Tomato fennel pulled pork with whisky vanilla applesauce galette/tatin
3. Buffalo sausage on bannock with smoked salmon pate
4. Salted salmon (wild pacific salmon) with kale cream on roasted garlic potato crust
5. Mint, pea and parmesan puree on yam crisp
6. Bolivian empanadas vegetarian
7. Sticky sesame butter nut squash and cumin roasted cauliflower skewers
8. Bannock with wild rose or blueberry jelly and bosc pear
9. Dark chocolate and lemon tart
10. to be advised

We will also be offering complimentary, samples of our Mexican drinking chocolate made with cinnamon, chipotle and ancho cile peppers on it’s own or with a shot of espresso.

Salt Spring Coffee Company

Offering complimentary Salt Spring Coffee Company espresso, featuring our Papua New Guinea single origin varietal at the Espresso Bar inside W2 Media Cafe.

Notturno Paninoteca

Our Tasting Plate will feature a selection of our 3 Bruschette

1. Tartufo di Capra_ black truffle goat cheese, greens, tomato pearls
2. Crudo_ albacore tuna crudo, cucumber, tomato, chili aoli, balsamic pearls
3. Fico_ blue cheese aoli, fig, black olive, walnuts

Crudo Bruschette

Tartufo di Capra Bruschette

Juice Truck

Our Tasting Plates will actually be Tasting Cups and we will be serving your choice of one of these 3 smoothies -

1. The Avocado Pineapple – Avocado blended with pineapple, coconut water, lime, vanilla & agave
2. The Strawberry Coconut – Strawberry blended with coconut meat, coconut milk, banana, raw cacao nibs, vanilla & agave
3. The Almost Chocolate – Banana blended with medjool dates, almond butter, raw cacao, raw maca & soy Milk

Bonchaz 

Our Tasting Plate will feature a choice of one of these creations –

1. Original Bonchaz — A sweet milk bun with a thin crust, icing sugar, and butter filling
2. Chocolate Truffle Bonchaz — Our signature Bonchaz with a decadent Choclate Truffle filling.
3. Vegan Slider — A snack sized version of our Vegan Sandwich on our signature baguette.  Hummus, Sprouts, Roasted Peppers, Lettuce, Cucumbers & Roma Tomatoes.

Leonadis Chocolate Cafe

We are doing a Tasting Plate of:

1. Piece of Leonidas chocolate
2. Liege Waffle
3. Espresso Con Panna
4. Shot of our regular Hot Chocolate (52.3%)
5. Shot of our Frozen Noisette.

WE. Coffee 

Our Tasting Plate will feature a choice of one of these creations –

1. Ice Cream Manic Waffle
2. Strawberry Trifle
3. Strawberry Lover Waffle

Cosca Restaurant 

Our Tasting Plate will feature a sample of each of these dishes -

1. Funghi Selvatico flatbread – Wild mushroom medley, pecorino – romano
2. Pesto Gamberi flatbread – Pesto shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes, parmigiano
3. Ceasar salad – romaine lettuce, paremsan, dressing
4. Spaghettini Bolognese Rich vegetable meat sauce, parmigiano

Cupcakes 

Our Tasting Plate will be a selection of

1-2 mini cupcakes per person in a variety of flavors.

Soho Road

Our Tasting Plate will feature a sample of each of these dishes -

1. Butter Chicken Naan Kebab – Tandoori chicken smothered in our famous butter chicken sauce and topped off with a salad of cucumber, tomato, red onion and cilantro all on a freshly baked Naan.
2. Beef Seekh Naan Kebab – Spicy Beef kebab with chaat masala, served with a mint yogurt and drizzled with a tamarind chutney. Topped off  with a salad of cucumber, tomato, red onion and cilantro all on a freshly baked Naan.
3. Mixed Vegetable Subji – Carrots, Peas, Potatoes and onions cooked with cumin, corriander and other traditional spices, topped with a light mayonnaise and a salad of cucumber, tomato, red onion and cilantro served on a freshly baked Naan.

Footo Delights

Our Tasting Plate will feature a selection of these creations -

a) small FOOTO Croissants

1. Plain
2. whole wheat
3. almond
4. cheese
5. hazelnut chocolate
6. pistachio white chocolate
7. whole wheat spinach & feta

b) macarons

1. gianduja
2. lemon poppy seed
3. matcha
4.  mocha

Details about each of the participating restaurants here.

Purchase tickets via Eventbrite:

http://tastingplatesvancouver.eventbrite.ca

Several of the restaurants will be offering wine, beer and cocktail specials at their locations during the evening.

All ticket holders are invited to attend the After Party that gets underway afterwards at 9pm at the W2 Media Cafe & Performance Centre. Come join us to meet and mingle with other foodies and chefs . MC by Television Host – Meena Mann. Prize draws will be held at the after party with some great tasty prizes. Your ticket gets you into this party for free!

Guest Speakers at the After Party

• Chef Alex Tung of Yowza Culinary
• Chef Michael Deutsch of Sutton Place Hotel 
• Gelato Master James Coleridge of Bella Gelateria 

Note: No tickets will be sold on the day of the event. All ticket sales are final. No exchanges or refunds; however they are transferrable with printed proof of ticket. ALL Tickets must be purchased in advance online.

Draw Prizes:

There will be many gift certificates and other great prizes.

• W2 Media Café
• Juice Truck
• Cosca Restaurant
• Cupcakes Denman
• Bonchaz
• Footo Delights
• Novo Pizzeria
• Marquis Wine Cellars
• Bella Gelateria
• Delta Burnaby Hotel

Photo Credit: Sean Neild

Event produced by CMI Chat Media Inc

For my fourteenth brunch in this series, I was joined by Radio Host Joe Leary at Chewies Steam & Oyster Bar in Vancouver talking about Radio, Music, People and more!

Joe Leary

Joe graduated from Killarney High School in Vancouver, and had his sights set on being a radio DJ from a young age. He began his professional radio career in 1977, then moved to television (at UTV) in 1994. Columbia Academy Broadcast graduate; CFCP Courtenay; CFUN Vancouver 1980s; music director/p.m. drive then mornings CHRX Vancouver 1988-94; weekend weather Citytv CKVU-TV Vancouver current; Vancouver Province Air Traffic columnist late 1990s-2005

Joe currently holds down the Morning Sports anchor role on Vancouver’s Flagship Sports radio station, TEAM 1040. Prior to returning to radio full-time in 2006, he co-hosted ‘The Jenn and Joe Show on CFUN.

Joe currently writes feature sports profiles for the BC Lions and Vancouver Canadians, files a weekly music interview for 24 HRS Newspaper `24 Seconds With`featuring local and international musicians, contributes the bi-monthly ‘Hot Sheet’ page for Vancouver View Magazine:www.thehotsheet.net as well as offer his insights and various musings in his weekly ‘Joe Biz Blog’ for TV WEEK Magazine’s online edition, www.tvweekonline.ca.  He also writes feature stories for Wineries Refined Magazine, Joe can also be heard in several capacities around the radio dial, including his popular ‘Just Here for the Beer Radio Show’ on AM 650.

I have known Joe for the past couple of years, he often joins me for some dining adventures and I host the SIP & TASTE feature on his Just Here for the Beer Radio Show on AM650.

What got you into Radio, specifically hosting radio shows?

It was all I ever wanted to do. I have 2 older sisters who grew up in top 40 radio, I was always fascinated by the guys who played the music. I did radio then I did tv, I was a tv weatherman at City tv for 13 years, in 2006 they let everyone go across the country. Then I pursued an interest and became a radio host with Jennifer Thomson “The Jenn & Joe Show” on CFUN from 2006-2010.

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

• Don Rickles
• Bill Cosby
• Joan Rivers
• Meatloaf
• Lady Gaga (on her first visit to Vancouver at the Mirage night club in Surrey).

I imagine you have had some amazing situations on your shows, tell us about one of the most unique ones!

Anytime you get politically correct – used a talk show to sound off

LG 73 –suicidal kid called up, I wanted to help out and I never thought the outcome would be as it was.

What do you want your listeners to learn if you will from your show each day?

That I am no better or worse than them, but I am fortunate to have the vehicle to share the information. I hope more people who listen to me say he “is an ok guy”

You recently embraced Social Media, how different would your radio broadcasting career have been if you had been able to utilize Social Media over the years?

Knowing how obsessed I have become for twitter, and my compassion – I would have had over a million followers by now. It gives me so much insight on people now.

What is your favourite food?

Penne Marinara with chorizo sausage – and spicier the better

Buttermilk Biscuits

Big Easy Breakfast

Southern Fried Chicken and Waffles

Richard and Joe split the Buttermilk Biscuits ($3). Joe had the Big Easy Breakfast ($13) Two eggs, bacon, Yukon gold potato home fries, and two buttermilk waffles. Richard had the Southern Fried Chicken and Waffles ($12) with two buttermilk waffles, topped with fried chicken and drizzled with a drizzled with a Cajun honey butter.

What are your favourite restaurant inside and outside Vancouver?

Inside

• Hy’s Encore
• Gotham Steakhouse
• The Mongolian Grill

 Outside

Romana Pizza – Burnaby

What do you do in your off time?

• Huge college football fan
• Collector of CD’s – I have over 7500 CD’s in my collection
• Collector of Liquor Mini’s – I have over 5000 from all over the world in all sizes.

What made you start Collecting Liquor Mini’s?

An episode of Curb your Enthusiasm with Larry David, there was a porn star episode where there was a selection of mini’s and I thought I have to do this and I did.

How far in advance do you plan your shows?

Radio is ever evolving, but things change all the time.

How did your Sports radio show on Team 1040 Radio come to be?

Radio 1410 that I was on previously went down and they killed the format. Radio 1040 then came to me and offerened me a job to host the morning sports show.

How and why did you start your Beer show on Just Here for the Beer Radio on AM 650?

My friend the late Colin Jack was a beer expert and I wanted to tap into his knowledge and profit from it. Because there was no show like it across the country, the radio station jumped and said lets do it.

What kind of trips do you like?

Short trips, and 4 days is the best.

How did you get started doing voice overs?

It’s an inherit part of the job, part of the salary I get paid is to do production, and commercials is part of it, and that’s how I was able to start.

Do you come from a broadcasting family?

Not at all, a working middle class union family.

Where was your most recent trip?

Phoenix & Scottsdale, Arizona

Where is your next trip?

Laguna Beach

Who are your mentors?

• Red Robinson
• Terry David Mulligan
• Dave McCormick

Were there any guests on any of your shows that surprised you in a good or bad way?

1. Gilbert Gottfried – most tasteless comedian on the air, he was talking about having sex with midgets and mentally challenged people. He was like this on air every time (off the air he was normal).
2. Chubby Checker – who created the Twist. My co-host called his invention of the Twist a fad, he took it to great exception to what she said. To this date we both regarded him as the biggest asshole guest we ever had.

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

More paid programming radio shows. Hopefully one with you (Richard Wolak) and I.

Style: A La Carte

Attire: Casual

Time: Saturday & Sunday 10am – 2pm

Chewies Steam & Oyster Bar

2201 West 1^st Avenue, Vancouver

Menu: http://www.chewies.ca/menu/BrunchMenu-Chewies.pdf

For Reservations, please call 604-558-4448

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

By: Richard Wolak

In celebration of Valentine’s Day Enter to Win a Chocoholic Buffet at the Sutton Place Hotel for 2 people.

For the love of chocolate .  .  .  The Sutton Place Hotel brings a sweet touch to its tradition of elegance with the unique Chocoholic Bar, the city’s only endless chocolate buffet.  Famous with local Vancouverites, the Chocoholic Buffet provides delectable offerings including an array of home made luscious cakes, pastries and pies, exquisite sorbets and ice creams, topped only by the Bar’s own renowned Brittany crepes, a house specialty made right before your eyes. Join us for an evening of sinful delights.

Voted #1 in the world by National Geographic!

Chocolate Buffet at the Fleuri Restaurant in the Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver.

Now for The Contest

Follow these 3 steps:

1) Write a comment below, tell us what chocolate savoury or sweet creation you would suggest the Sutton Place Hotel adds to their Chocoholic Buffet.

2) Follow us both @vanfoodster @suttonplacevan and retweet the following on twitter:

I entered to Win a Chocoholic Buffet at the Sutton Place Hotel for 2 @SuttonPlaceVan via @vanfoodster http://bit.ly/A3PkMf RT to enter!

3)    Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/vancouverfoodster

All submissions will be entered to win for the random draw. The winner of this contest will be announced via twitter and posted.  The contest giveaway is to enter to win Chocoholic Buffet at the Sutton Place Hotel for 2 people – Value $70

Fine Print: Contest will run until 11pm on 2/9/12 You must enter your full name and twitter address if you have one and register with your email address when entering the contest. Prize can be redeemed anytime before December 30, 2012.

Vancouver Foodster is @vanfoodster on twitter and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/vancouverfoodster and on Google+

Hans Pirhofer | Vancouver

Vancouver is home to some of the best pastry chefs in the world, many have worked for the top chefs and restaurants around the world as well as around the city. Star Pastry Chefs is a series of Interviews with some of the top chefs in and around Vancouver, within the interview each chef is to prepare or finish off three of his/her signature desserts.

I grew up in Insbruk, Austria where my family had a pastry shop for 35 years. I started helping out when I was 12 years old, at 15 I started an apprentiship at Konditorie Peintner for 3 years and made everything in house. I then worked as a pastry chef for the Corso Restaurant in Seefeld, a ski resort in Austria for 2 years. I then worked doing pastries in the family business for 5 years. I then moved to Marco Island in Florida and worked at the Marriott Hotel for 2 years as the pastry chef. I then came to Vancouver in 2000 and joined the Pan Pacific Hotel as the Chef de Partie for 8 years, was then promoted to Assistant Pastry Chef and in 2009 to head Pastry Chef.

Did you always want to be a pastry chef?

Yes it just happened, that’s all I have wanted to do until when I was older when I thought about being an architect.

Do you follow or apply a specific food design?

Keep it contemporary and trendy, from fashionable colours etc.

Where do you get inspiration?

Walking down Robson Street, cookbooks, magazines, anywhere and everywhere.

The 1st Dessert:

Caramelized Pineapple Tartin

Caramelized Pineapple Tartin

What is in the dessert?

Caramelized pineapple on top of eggnog parfait, caramelized chestnuts, crème anglaise and crème caramel and twill on top (bottom is a sweet dough cookie).

What was your inspiration behind this dessert?

Like a Tarte Tatin, I wanted to make it more exotic and put in pineapple instead of apple and be cold not hot, and added eggnog for the Christmas flavour.

Is there a pastry chef or two that inspire you?

• Jean Philippe – at the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas
• Thomas Peintner – in Austria

How would you describe your style of pastries at the Pan Pacific Vancouver?

• Modern and classic.
• Café Pacifica – more modern and trendy
• Banquet desserts – are different with new flavours

The 2nd Dessert:

Chocolate Trilogy

Chocolate Trilogy

What is in the dessert?

1)    In photo –on left – Chocolate sour cherry tart with whipped cream baked black forest style

2)    In photo –middle – Sacher petit with apricot confit

3)    In photo –on right – Chocolate sorbet with orange foam and chocolate crumbs

What was your inspiration behind this dessert?

Get traditional with modern, combined such as the Blackforest Cake and the Sacher.

Describe the most elaborate wedding cake you have ever made?

It was a 7 tier wedding cake, each tier had a different flavour and we had 2 people working on it.

• Bottom layer – cassis chocolate
• 2^nd layer – chocolate layer
• 3^rd layer – lemon cream
• 4^th layer – cherry champagne
• 5^th layer – coffee opera cake
• 6^th layer –passionfruit layer cake
• 7^th layer – raspberry chocolate mousse

Outside of the whole cake was fondant covered and pastiche flowers and ornaments. The cake served 300 people and we made it in Austria.

What was the most recent competition that you took part in?

I was part of Team Canada competing in the World Gelato Competition in Italy in January 2012.

What is your favourite Pastry Shop in Vancouver?

Thomas Haas

What is your favourite city in the world for pastries?

Paris

The 3rd Dessert:

Lemon Brioche

Lemon Brioche

What is in the dessert?

Brioche filled with lemon cream, lemon almond crust on top, crème Anglais around.

What was your inspiration behind this dessert?

I like to work with making bread, and wanted to make something with crunch.

How many people are in your pastry kitchen?

8

If you weren’t a pastry chef what do you think you’d be doing?

Architect

How do you make Caramelized Chestnuts?

Peel the chestnuts, caramelize the sugar, add brandy then add in the chestnuts, sits overnight to cook.

Stay tuned for the next chef in the Star Pastry Chef series.

By: Richard Wolak

For my 1st Course Appetizer,

Roasted Potato, Pepper and Leek soup w/ Garlic Foam

I had the hearty, Roasted Potato, Pepper and Leek soup w/ Garlic Foam the other option for Appetizer was Radiccio Salad w/ Honey Vinaigrette, Goat cheese, Candied Pecans and Bacon Lardons.

For my 2nd Course Entree,

Braised Lamb Stew

I had the comforting, Braised Lamb Stew w/ Carrots, Brussel Sprouts garnished with Potato Ravioli the other option for Entrée was Butter Poached Albacore Tuna w/ Tuna Confit and Herb Risotto.

For my 3^rd Course Dessert,

Nanaimo Bar Custard

I had the outstanding Nanaimo Bar Custard with Vanilla custard on the bottom, topped with pecan, coconut, & chocolate ganache; the other option for Dessert was Beet and Carrot Cake w/ Blue Cheese Cream.

The Oakwood’s Dine Out Vancouver promotion runs thru February 5th.

Reservations for Dine Out are now being accepted via phone at 604-558-1965. The Oakwood is open for dinner from 5pm daily. For more information visit  http://www.theoakwood.ca/

By: Richard Wolak

For my thirteenth brunch in this series, I was joined by Radio Hosts Kid Carson and Nira Arora at Tableau Bistro Bar in Vancouver talking about Radio, Life and more!

Kid Carson & Nira Arora

Kid grew up in Toronto, he used to make recordings at home, always had an interest in radio, he went to Humber College and took their two-year radio course. After sending out over 1000 demos only one station wanted to hire him, he took the job as DJ at a Christian radio station. After 18 months he got a call from KISS 92 FM, at that time the number one radio station in Toronto if not in Canada (he had sent them a demo while he was in radio school and was turned down). They interviewed him and then offered him a position as DJ on air, he worked there for a couple of years before the station was sold, and all the staff were layed off including him. Then 95.3 FM in Vancouver called and I took the job over the phone and came to Vancouver for the 1^st time ever and ended up hosting their evening show. After a year at 95.3 FM I had enough and was planning to return to Toronto, the Beat 94.5 FM called they wanted to talk and to show me around their studios, a week later I was in talks with them on moving to mornings to host their morning show. Kid Carson The Beat 94.5 Vancouver’s top rated morning host.

Nira grew up in Nanaimo, she has a degree in Communications and Political Science from Simon Fraser University and a broadcasting diploma from the British Columbia Institute of Technology. Prior to joining CFBT in 2001, she worked as a journalist/reporter for the South Asian magazine show Zindagi, and on-air as host with Asian Pulse and Partners in Community Vision. She was also a reporter and host for Shaw TV and a fill-in host for World Beats on Channel M. She is the co-host of The Kid Carson Show with Nira Arora and Amy Beeman, a morning radio program on The Beat 94.5 in Vancouver.

How did the Kid Carson Show come about?

Kid doing the evening show on Z95.3, after a year it wasn’t for me. One day I got a call from the Beat to come on the morning show, then the show’s name was changed to the Kid Carson Show. Nira was moved from evenings mornings to join the show. Nov 15, 2004 was our first show together.

Did you ever think the Kid Carson Show would become so popular?

No and we go forward every day.

Have you always wanted to be a Radio Host?

Kid – Yes since childhood, I used to interview my friends; I was living in Toronto and got onto Kiss 92.

Nira – I wanted to be a Bollywood actress, then lawyer. I started acting while in highschool in Nanaimo, moved to Vancouver to go to SFU, and MC events. Rogers approached me, I ended up doing a degree in Communications, then interned from radio and tv. I sent in a demo for The Beat 94.5 almost 10 years ago, I started off doing afternoons, doing entertainment, then events and then mornings.

What do you want your listeners to learn if you will from your show each day?

Nira – To take a moment and have fun for the day. Relax and have fun, hopefully we provide that.

Kid – If you think you are messed up, give us some of your time.

What is your favourite food?

Kid – Filet Mignon

Nira – Thai – I love lemongrass and spice.

Mushrooms on Toast

Brunch Flatbread

Chicken & Waffles

Brunch Flatbread

Richard and Nira split the Mushrooms on Toast ($14). Kid had the Brunch Flatbread ($12) with shortrib, zucchini, peppers, artichokes, topped with 2 eggs; Nira then had the Chicken & Waffles ($15); Richard had the Brunch Flatbread ($12) with shortrib, zucchini, peppers, artichokes and no eggs. Nira, Kid and Richard shared a Pastry basket ($14) filled with delicious croissants.

What are your favourite restaurants in Vancouver?

Kid – All of the Glowbal Group Restaurants

Nira – Sanafir and also the Green Lettuce

What do you do in your off time?

Kid – go for dinner, movies, drive fast through Stanley Park, and snowboard.

Nira – spending time with my son, reading, swimming lessons. I like eating, going to the beach in the summer, and drinking wine.

How did Andrew the Intern become Andrew the Intern on your show?

Andrew was already working in the promotions department at the station, we asked him to fill in for a week, and he was great and we then gave him the job. He has been with us for over 1-1/2 years.

Has the format of your show changed from the beginning in 2004 to now?

As we learned personality, our show has evolved and changed along the way. We had personal issues go on the air, making it more real, we were getting to know each other on the air. Reality tv before reality tv, it was reality radio.

How far in advance do you plan your shows?

Constantly writing emails to each other of ideas of topics.

Do you come from an entertainment family?

Nira – No, my Grandma sang on the radio in India.

Kid – No

Where was your recent trip?

Kid – Las Vegas with my girlfriend, mother and family. Also went to Shanghai on another trip.

Nira — Montreal

Where was your most recent trip for the Beat 94.5?

Panama with the crew including Andrew the intern and Amy Berman, as well as our listeners who won the trip in January 2012.

Who are your mentors?

Kid –

• Mad dog Michaels
• Jesse G in Toronto

Nira –

• Oprah – visible and inspirational
• Gandhi – Indian, spiritual, love his qualities
• My parents

Were there any guests on your show that surprised you in a good or bad way?

1)    Exkhart Tolle – the author of “The Power of Now” – he is like the Brad Pitt of authors. Took us 3 months to get him on the show. It was an energy ora when he walked into the studio.

2)    Tracey Morgan from 30 Rock tv show – he was in his trailer on air, after 3 minutes we had to end the interview, his answers were terrible.

3)    Jacob from “Hedley” – interviewing him on air –he licked Nira’s face during the Interview and she screamed.

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

Shred your Ex for Valentines Day – we rent a shredder and have women or men who have been burnt in their relationships (we represent the people who hate Valentines Day).

Style: A La Carte

Attire: Casual

Time: Sunday 10:30am – 3:00pm

Tableau Bar Bistro

1181 Melville Street, Vancouver

Menu: http://tableaubarbistro.com/pdf/Tableau_Brunch_Menu.pdf

For Reservations, please call 604-639-8632

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

By: Richard Wolak

Potato Rolls, Butter and Sea Salt

It was nice to see Chef Jennifer Peters in the kitchen, both of her Dine Out menus had some gems, my dining companion and I ended up ordering off both of the menus. We were served a plate of freshly baked rolls with butter and sea salt.

For our 1^st Course Appetizer,

North Arm Farms Squash Soup

North Arm Farms Mushroom & Sunchoke Soup

I had the delicious North Arm Farms Squash Soupwith creme fraiche, toasted pumpkin seeds. My dining companion had the delicious North Arm Farms Mushroom & Sunchoke Soup.

Thiessens Duck Parfait

We then added an extra appetizer course to share as this was one that we were curious about, both of us loved this dish, the Thiessens Duck Parfait with brioche toasts and pear jelly.

For our 2nd Course Entree,

Eco-Tagged Line Caught Ling Cod

Wild BC Salmon

I had the outstanding Eco-Tagged Line Caught Ling Cod with a delicious side stripe shrimp, leeks, fennel & watercress risotto, with roasted garlic & herb butter. My dining companion loved the Wild BC Salmon with roast sunchokes, soffritto, and parmesan risotto, braised celery & chard.

Pumpkin Pot de Creme with apple, pear sorbet

Fromage Frais Cheesecake

Chocolate Ganache

For dessert, we mixed this up a bit and ordered an extra dessert. In my opinion my favourite dessert after trying the three was the Pumpkin Pot de Creme with apple, pear sorbet which had quite the contrasting flavours, the 2^nd favourite was the delicious and light Fromage Frais Cheesecake followed by the Chocolate Ganache in caramel sauce with Hazelnut Macarons.

Raincity Grill’s Dine Out Vancouver promotion runs thru February 5th.

Reservations for Dine Out are now being accepted via phone at 604-685-7337. Raincity Grill is open for dinner from 5pm daily. For more information visit http://www.raincitygrill.com/

By: Richard Wolak

Enter to WIN a Valentine’s Day Event on February 14 for 2 people.

BETA5 chocolates are produced in small batches using ethically sourced estate chocolates and premium ingredients. Careful alignment of the BETA5 matrix results in our chocolates’ distinctive shine and crisp snap.

• We wanted to create a different kind of chocolate shop.
• One that uses the best ingredients we can find, in support of farmers and in the name of taste.
• One that goes against the grain, by recognizing where we stand in the global economy and by committing to making ethical choices instead of profit-driven ones.
• One that is off the beaten path, that blurs the lines between customer and cook.
• One that revolves around innovation and craftsmanship.

Adam & Jess

BETA5 Chocolates

413 Industrial Ave

Vancouver, BC

Now for The Contest

Follow these 3 steps:

1) Write a comment below, suggest 3 different chocolate flavours you would love to see created (could be ones you have had previously in another city or ones that you thought would be interesting made into a chocolate).

2) Follow us both @vanfoodster @beta5chocolates and retweet the following on twitter:

I entered to WIN a Valentine`s Day Event Feb 14 at BETA5 for 2 people @beta5chocolates via @vanfoodster http://bit.ly/wXVwEQ RT to enter!

3)    Like us both on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/vancouverfoodster and http://www.facebook.com/beta5chocolatesltd

All submissions will be entered to win for the random draw. The winner of a Valentine’s Day Event on February 14 for 2 people will be announced via twitter and posted.  The contest giveaway is to enter to win a Valentine’s Day Event on February 14 for 2 people – Value $125

Congratulations Joyce @vanfoodies  the winner of this contest (drawn by random.org)

Fine Print: Contest will run until 2pm on 2/3/12 You must enter your full name and twitter address if you have one and register with your email address when entering the contest.

Vancouver Foodster is @vanfoodster on twitter and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/vancouverfoodster and on Google+

For my twelfth brunch in this series, I was joined by Musician Bif Naked at Edible Canada at the Market in Vancouver talking about Music, being Vegan and more!

Bif Naked

Bif Naked is a Juno Award-winning, Indian-born American-Canadian multi-platinum record selling rock singer, writer, poet, motivational speaker and actress.

Her musical career is vast, prior to her solo career, Bif played with punk bands Gorilla Gorilla and Chrome Dog. She has toured Europe, the United States, and Canada as a headlining act, and has performed on bills with Snoop Dogg, Billy Idol, Dido, Sarah McLachlan, Sheryl Crow, Chrissie Hynde, the Foo Fighters, the Cult and many more. She recorded a version of “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” for the MTV: TRL Christmas CD. She was also featured on the Ready to Rumble soundtrack with a cover of Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It”, the Celebrity Deathmatch soundtrack with “Vampire”, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s soundtrack with “Lucky”. Solo albums include Bif Naked, a self-titled album, Purge, and I Bificus. In 2005, after narrowing it down from over 50 songs, she released Superbeautifulmonster with 13 tracks. The Promise was released in 2009 and was dedicated to her fans. Sick, Bluejay, You’ll Never Know were mixed by Juno Award winner Mike Fraser. She has made appearances in music videos for The Offspring’s “The Kids Aren’t Alright”, Moist’s “Believe Me” and “Silver”, Liveonrelease’s “Get with it” and Simple Plan’s “Save You” near the end along with other people (such as Sharon Osborne and René Angélil) who have been treated for cancer. In 2011, she recorded a duet with Vancouver yogi and Nettwerk recording artist Will Blunderfield for the international version of his album Hallelujah.

She has had an extensive acting career as well, from being on the The Chris Isaak Show in 2000, to becoming the first host of the CBC Television series ZeD in 2002. In 2003 she appeared as a judge of a fictitious reality show in the TV series Cold Squad. In 2007 she narrated the chronicles of her and her spouse’s life in Bodog’s web reality show “Bif Naked Bride” up to the wedding finale.

How long have you been singing?

I have been singing professionally since I was 18, I dropped out of school to tour with “Gorilla Gorilla” and opened for “DOA”.

What came first being a Poet, Spoken Word or Music?

Poetry came first, been writing since I could read, my parents are both academics. I was obsessed with the writing of Anais Nin. Spoken Word came on at the same time then music. In 1996, I put out a spoken word record.

Have you always wanted to be a musician?

Never wanted to, still don’t. For 14 years I was a ballerina, I thought I would have a dance career. Fell into theatre, then ended up on tour for 20 years.

What Genre is your music?

It is malleable, every song is different, and a hodge podge of genres and I am lucky to be able to do it.

Has your music style changed over the years?

A little bit as I have, and trends have. I am a lyrist more than a music writer. My musicians present me with rites first.

Amuse Buche

Harvest Salad

Albacore Tuna Salad

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Bif and Richard were both served an Amuse Buche tomato to whet our appetites, Bif had the Harvest Salad ($11) with Okanagan pears, sundried cranberries and local greens. Richard had the Albacore Tuna Salad ($14) with fingerling potatoes, kale, spinach and wild mushrooms and then had a Grilled Cheese Sandwich ($10) with brioche, Farmhouse brie, smoked cheddar, Dundarave olive jam and Okanagan Apple.

What is your favourite food?

Zucchini – I could eat it 3 times a day, forever.

What is your favourite restaurant inside and outside Vancouver?

• In Regina , Saskatchewan it was “Heliotrope” it is no longer there.
• In Vancouver, “Organic Lives”.

What do you do in your off time?

• Yoga classes
• Painting
• Writing my book
• Photography
• Nature
• Being with my dog
• Volunteering
• Working in hospitals with sick people
• Spending time at home

How far in advance do you plan your concerts?

My managers book them and then I am told when and where to go. I have been fortunate to have the same manager for the last 20 years.

Do you come from a musical family?

Not at all, my father is a dentist, and my mother is and educator and nurse. Both were missionaries in India previously.

Where was your most recent musical trip?

In Ontario and Alberta in December, 2011.

Where is your next musical trip?

I am putting out 2 records this spring, one house record done while I was in chemo and the other is the acoustic record. I will go and perform to support the records.

What is your favourite music festival that you have performed at?

Rock im Park – in Germany

What is your favourite city for live performance music?

Used to be Halifax at the Marquee, now it is Vancouver.

Is there a music festival that you have wanted to perform at and have yet too?

I would love to perform a music festival in China or Singapore.

Who are your mentors?

• Joe Keithley of DOA
• Chi Pig from SNFU

Who are your favourite musicians to collaborate with?

Will Blunderfield – Yoga Instructor/ Musician – he is on twitter @wblunderfield

I would like to collaborate with rappers, jazz singers and metal.

Are there any musicians who have influenced your musical career? If so who?

Being on tours with Kid Rock, Bergeron of the Johnny Carson Show, Anita Baker fan, Kenny Edmonds, Desmond Child.

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

• 2 records coming out in 2012
• Working on a book on my life
• Speaking engagement at a conference in Victoria called Breathe Now.

How many Tattoos do you have?

I have 50 tattoos now, I got my first tattoo when I was 16 years old.

Tell me about the N tattoo that I see on your left wrist and the O tattoo that I see on your right wrist.

I kept getting married and could not say no, I got these two tattoos that say NO, got them 15 years ago.

When did you go Vegan?

I went Vegan in my early 20’s while on the road touring with my 1^st husband who was vegetarian. I never ate pasta anyways and thought this was the best way to go healthwise. I can eat anything from bananas to papayas to blueberries.

Tell me about your experience with Chemotherapy and eating.

At the beginning of my Chemotherapy I had a craving for yam rolls and ate 36 rolls in one sitting. Nutripinia causes a phase of being psycho hungry, after Chemo I went back to my usual food routine of a RAW diet.

What is your view on eating a RAW diet?

There are lots of rules around what is and isn’t raw, now I am more relaxed about how the foods are prepared or eaten than I was before.

How did you get into Motivational Speaking?

I joined the National Speakers Bureau 2 years ago to talk.

Style: A La Carte

Attire: Casual

Time: Saturday and Sunday 9:00am – 4:00pm

Edible Canada at the Market (opposite the public market on Granville Island)

1596 Johnston Street, Vancouver

Menu: http://www.ediblecanada.com/bistro.php

For Reservations, please call 604-682-6681

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

By: Richard Wolak

12 restaurants, cafes, bakeries & food trucks will be participating in the event that will take place all over downtown Vancouver including Gastown, Yaletown, Downtown and the Westend. Each of the restaurants will be doing tasting plates of their various dishes, and some will now be offering beverages as well.

The starting location for everyone to begin their tasting adventure will be at the W2 Media Café at 111 West Hastings Street (in the Woodwards building, between Cambie and Abbott). Registration will open at 5:45pm and this is where you will pick up your map cards for the evening. The W2 Media Café will be serving up some Tasting Plates of their own to kick off the evening and Salt Spring Coffee Co will be serving up free espresso all night along at their espresso bar inside the W2 Media Café.

Purchase tickets via Eventbrite:

http://tastingplatesvancouver.eventbrite.ca

Here are the participating restaurants:

W2 Media Cafe

W2 Community Media Arts Society, www.creativetechnology.org

#250-111 W Hastings, Vancouver

Twitter @W2MediaCafe

Featuring Chef Karen McAthy

Located in the Woodward’s Atrium, W2 Media Cafe is an artist-run, globally networked media arts lab, Incubator, community meeting space and social enterprise cafe serving artists and residents of the Downtown Eastside and Vancouver.

Serving healthy, high quality food and drink and employing DTES residents, the cafe is like no other in the neighbourhood, offering a globally connected experience in a hyperlocal, community-supportive context.

Salt Spring Coffee Company

Twitter @SS_Coffee

At Salt Spring Coffee, we are committed to providing our customers with freshly roasted, certified organic coffee sourced from the highest quality, most favourable and equitable coffee growing regions in the world.

For our event they will be located in the W2 Media Cafe at #250-111 W Hastings, Vancouver

Notturno Paninoteca

280 Carrall Street, Vancouver

604-720-3145

http://www.facebook.com/NotturnoPaninoteca

Twitter @NotturnoGastown

Serving simple grilled Panini with quality ingredients, share plates, wine and beer.

Bonchaz Bakery Café

426 W Hastings Street

604-626-7215

Website: www.bonchaz.ca

Twitter: @bonchaz

Bonchaz Bakery Café owes much of its popularity to its namesake; a deliciously decadent Mexican-French pastry, with flavours including butter sea salt, banana walnut, or chocolate truffle; freshly baked before your eyes to crispy golden perfection.

The boutique café also boasts a phenomenal French press coffee, appetizing and homemade affordable eats, including inspired soups, savoury sandwiches, and desserts to die for.

Cosca Restaurant

1118 Denman Street, Vancouver

www.coscarestaurant.com

Twitter: @CoscaRestaurant

Known for its welcoming and cozy atmosphere, traditional Italian dishes featuring fresh local ingredients, and mind-blowing tiramisu. Serving Italian rustic comfort food with Tuscan flavour, our fresh, local ingredients prepared with love always gives your belly a warm hug. We have plenty of vegetarian and gluten free options and if you can’t decide what you’d like, get a pasta platter with your choice of three or four pastas. Sunday brunch menu features savoury frittatas and eggs benedicts, baked eggs, sweet pannetone French toast and more.

Footo Delights

820 Homer Street, Vancouver

604-568-6500

http://www.footodelights.com

Twitter @FootoDelights

“Drop by for a taste of Vancouver’s Freshest Croissants! Footo Delights (Fresh Out Of The Oven) specializes in artisan croissants made from scratch daily using only the freshest natural ingredients – enriched unbleached flour, water, real butter, fresh milk, fresh eggs, Himalayan crystal salt, fresh yeast, and granulated sugar. We are committed to not using any food colourings, chemicals, or shortenings.”

Juice Truck

Corner of Abbott Street and Water Street in Gastown

http://thejuicetruck.ca

Twitter @juicetruck

The Juice Truck is a new school juicing concept on 4 wheels. We make premium gourmet juices, smoothies, and soups with the goal of enlivening communities with nutrition and flavour.

Leonadis Chocolate 

#29-1055 Canada Place, Vancouver

604-647-7559

http://www.leonidaswaterfront.com/

Twitter @LeonidasChocola

A century of freshness, generosity and tradition

Today, Leonidas is a world-renowned chocolate maker, selling over 100 different kinds of Belgian chocolate through 1,400 outlets around the world. Yet the beliefs that first inspired the company (1910) one hundred years ago are as strong as ever.

Located on the waterfront of the new Vancouver Convention Centre West, one can enjoy the most stunning view of Vancouver, while sipping on an authentic Belgian Hot Chocolate, made from our chocolate, or Italy’s finest LaVazza Super Crema coffee beans (or both!) paired with the finest chocolate Belgium has to offer.

If you’re looking for the perfect waffle, look no further than our Liege Waffles – a brioche type texture, with pockets of Belgian sugar crystals…who needs a topping?

WE. Coffee Inc.

F.C.R.R. – First Coffee Roaster on Robson St.

1696 Robson St. Vancouver

604-782-8788

Web : www.wecoffeeroaster.com

Twitter @WECoffeeInc

WE. Roast our high quality arabica coffee beans everyday to ensure the freshness and quality. At WE. Coffee it’s not just about enjoying our freshly roasted coffee beans. Come savor our panini and croissant sandwiches prepared with healthy, seasonal ingredients. Spoil yourself with our selection of rich, golden, fluffy waffles, delectable cakes, and other delicious desserts. Let our baristas treat you to professionally prepared and presented coffee drinks as well as Mariage Frères Teas.

cupcakes by heather & lori

the original cupcakes bakery

1168 Denman Street, Vancouver

604-974-1300  ext 1, 2

www.originalcupcakes.com

Twitter @CupcakesDenman

Cupcakes on Denman was the world’s very first concept cupcake bakery.  All our delicious cupcakes are baked fresh every day for every occasion.

We also do custom, wedding and birthday cakes.  Come down to Cupcakes on Denman where every day is a celebration!

Soho Road

Corner of Smithe & Howe Streets

http://www.facebook.com/EatSohoRoad

Twitter @SohoRoad

Soho Road Naan Kebab is Vancouver’s answer to Traditional UK Tandoori, as the little black food cart (at Howe and Smithe) with huge flavor, Soho Road has repeatedly been mentioned in the news and blogging sites as a must try. Most notably it was Dale MacKay’s (Canada’s Top Chef) #1 choice of food carts in Vancouver.

Serving fresh baked naan from the on board tandoor oven as well as mouth watering tandoori chicken and beef seekh kebabs, Soho Road is quickly becoming a favorite lunch spot for those in the downtown core.

Soho Road Naan Kebab is open Monday – Friday 11:30am – 3:30pm.

Drop in for a complimentary cha (tea) while you watch your pillowy soft naan emerge from the tandoor and become some of the best street food in Vancouver.

• A food networking dinner event connecting Vancouver’s vibrant food community.
• Visit each of the participating restaurants by walking, transit, bike, or carpooling.
• $2 from each ticket purchased will go to support the Vancouver Food Bank.

Purchase Tickets Here

Tickets: $25 per person (eventbrite fee extra) – ticket price includes tasting plates at each of the participating restaurants throughout the evening. A donation of $2 from each ticket purchased will go to support the Vancouver Food Bank. (Beverages are included at some restaurants which will be noted, you are welcome to purchase wine, beer, cocktails or mocktails at each of the participating restaurants).

All ticket holders are invited to attend the  After Party that gets underway afterwards at 9pm at the W2 Media Cafe & Performance Centre. Come join us to meet and mingle with other foodies and chefs. MC – Television Host – Meena Mann. Your ticket gets you into this party for free!

Guest Speakers at the After Party

• Chef Alex Tung of Yowza Culinary
• Chef Michael Deutsch of Sutton Place Hotel 
• Gelato Master James Coleridge of Bella Gelateria 

Note: No tickets will be sold on the day of the event. All ticket sales are final. No exchanges or refunds; however they are transferrable with printed proof of ticket. ALL Tickets must be purchased in advance online. Event produced by CMI Chat Media Inc