Posts Tagged ‘Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts’

Bistro 101 Opening

June 30th, 2011 admin

On Tuesday I attended the re-opening of Bistro 101 at Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts that has reopened after a complete renovation of the space at Granville Island.

Dining Room

Bar and Dining Room

Prosecco now on Tap

The room is now elegant, with comfy bar stools and seating throughout, there is a new bar with a Joel Berman glass wall in behind along with a glass bar tabletop also designed by Joel Berman. The bar is featuring Prosecco on tap along with wine and beer and a Nespresso machine for the serious coffee lovers. There are large windows to view the open kitchens where you can see the students cooking your meal. Bakery 101 has also been redesigned into an open bake shop where you can see the students making all the wonderful pastries and chocolates. To round out the renovation you will see the addition of a new Wine Room that will be open soon.

Mushroom Puffs

Bruschetta

Risotto Balls

Bistro 101 at Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts was founded to create a ‘real-world’ training experience for the school’s professional Culinary and Baking & Pastry Arts students. Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts was the first private training facility in Canada with a fine dining restaurant on the premises. To master all aspects of restaurant organization, their Restaurant Instructors guide students through formal guest service (front of house training).

Bistro 101 is open Mon-Fri providing guests with both a fine-dining experience and a glimpse at the world’s future great Chefs in training.

Pastry Kitchen

Creme Puffs & Macarons

Bistro 101 serves Lunch Monday-Friday and is located at 1505 West 2nd Avenue in Vancouver and online at http://bistro101.com/ Phone 604-734-4488.

By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Openings Tags: , , No Comments »

Street Food aka Sweet Food at Night at the Aquarium

June 4th, 2011 admin

Yes Vancouver is a paradise for great food it also has a growing mecca of Street Food carts! Students of the Pastry Class at the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts have created  a selection of desserts dubbed ‘Street Food’ from Tacos to Hamburgers and Lasagna to Ice Cream Pops. You can’t get these sweet street food bites on the street, the only place to indulge in these sweet creations is by attending Vancouver Aquarium’s ‘Night at the Aquarium’ fundraiser event on June 10th.

Pastry Students at PICA

I was fortunate to have an exclusive sneak peak behind the scenes to talk with Chef Maurizio Persichino and meet the students of the pastry making class at Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts yesterday and to taste test some of the creations.

Hamburgers & Taco

TACOS

  • Tuille Taco Shell
  • Passionfruit Chocolate Mousse
  • Fresh Fruit Salsa
  • Lime Zest

HAMBURGER

  • Cinnamon Macaroon Bun
  • Rhubarb Ganache
  • Pistachio Tuille Lettuce
  • Strawberry Gelee Tomato

LASAGNA

  • Pistachio Sponge
  • Raspberry crème
  • Whipped Vanilla Ganache

ICE CREAM POP

  • Coffee Semifreddo
  • Chocolate Dip
  • Praline Crunchies

I understand there are still some tickets available for the event here.

By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Behind The Scenes, Films & Education, Latest Tags: , , No Comments »

Mystery Kitchen Tour Encore

August 23rd, 2010 admin

Chef David Hawksworth

I attended the Mystery Kitchen Tour Encore last night, held at the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts on Granville Island. Featured were some of the top chefs from around Vancouver and BC who created some amazing dishes for everyone to taste. Each dish was paired to a wine and guests mingled about going from kitchen to kitchen tasting and sipping. There were 8 kitchens and 8 mystery chefs who created these wonderful dishes for tasting.

Chef Jennifer Peters of Raincity Grill

Chef Andrew Springett - Black Rock Resort

Pica Chef Aaron assisting Chef Springett

Chef Andrew Springett: Coriander Cracker Fenugreek Spiced Lamb Tenderloin, Okanagan Peach Chutney, Amber Lamb Curry

This was the third in a series of fundraisers to raise money for the Canadian Chefs Congress September 11-12  where 500 chefs from across Canada will gather on Vancouver Island to talk sustainable seafood together. Here are some of my the dishes sampled during the evening along with the talented chefs.

Chef Brian Fowke - Kitsilano Daily Kitchen

Chef Quang Dang from Diva at the Met

Chef Quang Dang's Seared albacore tuna elephant heart plums cucumbers and salted plum vinigrette

Chef Chris Irving of Pourhouse

Chef Chris Irving's Smoked fanny bay oyster wellington, Colorado porcini duxelle, okanagan peach marmalade, watercress purée

My favourite dishes of the night were #1 Chef Vikram Vij’s: Braised Goat Meat in Fenugreek Curry with Date Chutney & Mint Chutney; #2 Chef Chris Irving’s Smoked Fanny Bay Oyster Wellington, Colorado Porcini Duxelle, Okanagan peach Marmalade, Watercress Purée and #3 all the Chocolate desserts prepared by the Pacific Institute of Culinary Art’s pastry team.

Chef Vikram Vij of Vij's

Chef Vikram Vij’s: Braised Goat Meat in Fenugreek Curry with Date Chutney & Mint Chutney

Patrick Murphy (l) & Chef Julian Bond (r)

Patrick & Lee Murphy of Vista d'oro

Pica's Coffee Truffles

Pica's Dessert Selection

Pica's Chocolate Truffles

All the wines were generously donated by the participating wineries for the event.

By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Latest, Parties & Events Tags: , , , 2 Comments »

Mystery Kitchen Tour at PICA

July 10th, 2010 admin

Chef Angus An of Maenam

I took part in a Mystery Kitchen Tour on June 27th that was held at Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts on Granville Island that featured some of the top chefs from around Vancouver and BC who created some amazing dishes for everyone to taste. Each dish was paired to a wine or two and guests mingled about going from kitchen to kitchen tasting and sipping. There were 8 kitchens and 8 mystery chefs who created these wonderful dishes for tasting.

Chef Neil Wyles - Hamilton Street Grill


This fundraiser was to raise money for the Canadian Chefs Congress where 500 chefs from across Canada will gather on Vancouver Island to talk sustainable seafood together. Here are some of my favourite dishes sampled during the evening.

Chef An’s dish - Banana Blossom Salad

Chef Bond's - Venision with porcini mushoom and mixed potato puree.

Chef Ned Bell's - Summer Salad with roasted tomatoes and peppers, belgian endive, local goat cheese, toasted walnuts, dehydrated pepper powder, and cucumber,

Chef Taylor of Cibo - Panelle: chickpea fritters with buffalo mozzarella and smashed peas and fava beans.

Chef Scott Jaegar - Seared Albacore Tuna with compressed cucumber and watermelon salad, yuzu gel, coriander sheets, and puff rice.

Chef Ned Bell's - roasted tomatoes

A variety of tasty desserts were served towards the end of the evening created by the PICA pastry team.

Desserts

The team of Mystery Chefs appeared to have good time as well as the guests.

I enjoyed this wonderful tasting event and the challenge as the mystery unfolded.

By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Latest, Parties & Events Tags: , , , , , No Comments »

Night of the Rosés July 14

June 25th, 2010 admin

This summer’s evening Sommelier, Tim Ellison of Bistro 101®, will provide a guided tour of a blooming international phenom; rosé wines.  This 5-course journey pays homage to the diversity and food friendliness of this playful wine style.  These especially chosen rosé pairings travel through Spain, BC, Argentina, France and finally Australia. What’s left for you to do is decide which rosé will come to fruition at your next patio affair.

Posted in Events Tags: , , , No Comments »

Eat Ocean Wise and Attend the “Best Party in the City”

May 9th, 2010 admin

Dine at Ocean Wise restaurants for a chance to win two tickets to Vancouver Aquarium’s signature fundraising gala!

From May 7 to 25, dine at a participating Ocean Wise restaurant and enter to win two tickets to Vancouver Aquarium’s signature fundraising gala – Night at the Aquarium! Winners will arrive in style in a chauffeured Mercedes-Benz that picks you up and takes you home!

Starting now until May 25, BC residents who dine at participating Ocean Wise restaurants including Blue Water Café, C restaurant, Cin Cin, Le Gavroche, O’Doul’s Restaurant & Bar, Nu, Raincity Grill, and West, are eligible to enter the contest for a chance to win two tickets to Night at the Aquarium. The winners will be chauffeured to and from the gala on June 11 by Mercedes-Benz.

Executive Chef Robert Clark from C Restaurant is one of the keen Ocean Wise participants for the contest. Clark has trained with Canada’s top chefs such as Jamie Kennedy, Michael Bonaccini and Mark Thuet. Clark now heads the culinary operations for C Restaurant, Raincity Grill and NU Restaurant & Lounge. Clark’s belief in food is pure and simple: “As chefs, our job is not only about serving great tasting food, but encouraging our staff and our guests to learn how to get sustainably produced food to the table.”  Only quality, sustainable products from earth and sea are used as the building blocks of his cuisine.

On June 11, the following Ocean Wise restaurants will be at Night at the Aquarium to serve guests their amazing fare: Bishop’s, Blue Water Café, C5 (Toronto), C restaurant, Cabana Bar and Grille, COAST, Hapa Izakaya, Le Gavroche, O’Doul’s Restaurant & Bar, Rocky Mountain Flatbread Co., Vancouver Aquarium Catering & Events, and Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts.

Night at the Aquarium is known as “the best party in the city.” The evening launches with a champagne entrance and features spectacular food from celebrity chefs representing 13 of Vancouver’s Ocean Wise restaurants, complimentary BC wines and great music. Live and silent auctions offer amazing packages and exclusive experiences for the discerning bidder.

Tickets to Night at the Aquarium are valued at $250 (with a partial tax receipt) and 100% of event revenues go to support the Vancouver Aquarium’s conservation, research and education programs.

Contest details and event updates can be found at www.nightattheaquarium.org

Posted in Latest Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

Love Food? Here is the Scoop on Cooking Classes around the city

April 11th, 2010 admin

Here is the scoop on the cooking classes, cookbook signings, guest chefs and more happening around Vancouver.

Chef Nico Schuermans (Chambar & Dirty Apron Cooking School)

Arts Club Theatre Cooks Series

http://www.artsclub.com/events/cooking-classes/index.htm

Barbara Joe’s Books for Cooks

1740 West 2nd Avenue, Vancouver

http://www.bookstocooks.com/page193.htm

Dirty Apron Cooking School

540 Beatty Street, Vancouver

http://www.dirtyapron.com/site/classes.php?panel=bd&selc=1270357200

Edible BC

Granville Island Market, Vancouver

http://www.edible-britishcolumbia.com/events/public-events/

Northwest Culinary Academy

2725 Main Street, Vancouver

http://www.nwcav.com/blog/

Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts

1505 West 2nd Avenue, Vancouver

http://www.picachef.com/eventcalendar.html

Quince

1780 West 3rd Avenue, Vancouver

http://www.quince.ca/studio-classes#Schedule

RAW Food Foundation

6623 Nelson Avenue, West Vancouver

http://rawfoodfoundation.org/classes/

Well Seasoned

#302C – 20771 Langley By-Pass, Langley

http://www.wellseasoned.ca/calendar.html

Compiled by: Richard Wolak

Posted in Great Ideas, Stories, The BEST List Tags: , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

West Coast Chocolate Festival

October 16th, 2009 admin
Hodie Rondeau (left) & Pamela Clarke (right)

Hodie Rondeau (left) & Pamela Clarke (right) of Xoxolat

I attended the opening night of this chocolate festival’s events which was the ‘Salon du Chocolat’. The event featured a sampling of chocolate, wines, beers, scotches, liqueurs, and teas.

Rubens Chocolates

Rubens Chocolates

Some of the notable vendors included:

Xoxolat  www.xoxolat.com

Rubens Chocolates  www.rubenschocolate.ca

Saturna Vineyards  www.saturnavineyards.com

Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts

Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts

Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts www.picachef.com showcasing cooking with chocolate along with providing dessert samples to the guests.

By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Chocolate, Stories Tags: , , , , , , No Comments »

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