Posts Tagged ‘Vancouver Aquarium’

2011 Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown

November 24th, 2011 admin

Local Lounge Chefs team WINNERS

The 4th Annual Ocean Wise Seafood Chowder Chowdown was a huge success at a great event hosted by the Vancouver Aquarium on November 23rd. This event saw a packed house sampling many or all of the twelve chowders from BC’s top twelve Ocean Wise restaurants from around the Vancouver, and the Okanagan, all of the chowders were paired with BC brews and the suggested beers were listed along each of the restaurants chowders.

Local Lounge- 1st place Winner - “Smoked Outlandish Oyster Chowder”

Judges voted: 2011 Chowder Chowdown Champion Local lounge Chef Paul Cecconi for his “Smoked Outlandish Oyster Chowder”

Best Oceanwise Chowder and Beer Pairing was awarded to Chef Ned Bell of Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver

Chef Ned Bell of Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver "Smoked Black Cod and Gala Apple Chowder"

Driftwood Beer pouring their Farmhand Ale

Best Oceanwise Chowder and Beer Pairing was awarded to Chef Ned Bell of Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver & Driftwood Beer Farmhand Ale!

Since I have been to this event in 2009 and 2010, I noticed that the 2011 event had a much better layout than in previous years for easier mingling, however, the serving bowls were wider and better last year. I sampled my way through all the 12 chowders and these are MY favourite chowders.

My Vancouver Foodster Top Picks

My 1st Place: Chef Paul Cecconi of Local lounge for his “Smoked Outlandish Oyster Chowder”

My 2nd Place: Chef Chris Whittaker of O’Douls’s Restaurant for his “McLoughlin & Steele Whiskey Cured Bacon & Dungenous Crab Chowder”

My 3rd Place: Chef Ned Bell of Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver “Smoked Black Cod and Gala Apple Chowder”

Participating restaurants: COAST Restaurant, Codfather’s Market, Edible Canada, Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver,  Hapa Izakaya, Local Lounge, Noodle Box, O’Doul’s Restaurant & Bar, Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts (PICA), Sunset Bay Yacht Group, Westward Ho! Public House, and the Vancouver Aquarium.

O’Douls's Restaurant "McLoughlin & Steele Whiskey Cured Bacon & Dungenous Crab Chowder"

Red Truck Beer

Chef Jenn Dodd (L) of Edible at the Market

Lighthouse Beer

Ocean Wise is a program that was launched by the Vancouver Aquarium in 2005 to educate consumers on ocean-friendly seafood choices, this local initiative has become a national program, learn more at www.oceanwise.ca

By: Richard Wolak

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Night at the Aquarium

June 20th, 2011 admin

On Friday June 10th I attended The Vancouver Aquarium’s 5th annual Night at the Aquarium gala fundraiser held both inside and outside of the Aquarium in Stanley Park.

Executive Chef Lee Humphries of C Restaurant

This was the 2nd year that I have attended this wonderful event that featured many of Vancouver’s finest restaurants showcasing a delightful array of dishes.

Sangre Morena

Night at the Aquarium is Vancouver Aquarium’s signature gala and has quickly become one of Vancouver’s “must attend” fundraising events. Hosted by the non-profit and self-supporting Vancouver Aquarium, 100 per cent of proceeds go directly toward supporting the Aquarium’s numerous education and research initiatives as well as direct-action conservation programs.

CinCin Chefs

Blue Water Cafe Chefs

Bishop's Dungeness Crab Legs with elderflower granita

Over 500 guests were welcomed at this year’s gala, and were delighted by innovative dishes and tasty cuisine.

Chef William Tse (left) and chefs team from the Sandbar

Hapa Umi's Japanese 7 Spice Crusted Albacore Tuna

Participating restaurants included: C Restaurant, Blue Water Café + Raw Bar, Hapa Umi, Diva at the Met, West , Bishops, O’Douls, Sandbar, The Boathouse, Rocky Mountain Pizza Co and Daniel le Chocolate Belge, Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts. Chefs donated their time to treat guests with a range of creative dishes.

Dessert Streetfood - Taco, Burger, Lasagna and Ice Cream Pop - by Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts

Daniel le Chocolate Belge Chocolates

Daniel le Chocolate Belge Macarons

I enjoyed the food,  especially the dishes created by Bishop’s, Hapa Umi, The Boathouse, CinCin, and The Sandbar. I adored the  selection of desserts dubbed ‘Street Food’ from Tacos to Hamburgers and Lasagna to Ice Cream Pops. desserts prepared by the students of the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts lead by their Pastry Chef Instructor Maurizio Persichino.

By: Richard Wolak

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Tourism Vancouver: The Inside Taste

February 4th, 2011 admin

Westward Ho Chefs

On January 20th I attended The Inside Taste – A Sustainable Plate & Pairing Challenge along with Marissa Winters who was my co-reporter of the evening, she won our contest and came up from Seattle to join me at this event. We both sampled our way around the Vancouver Aquarium tasting all the different restaurant’s dishes along with their wine pairings.

Lamb and Canelloni by Westward Ho

Hosted by the Vancouver Aquarium in support of Ocean Wise™; Canada’s leading sustainable seafood program, attendees strolled through the Aquarium’s galleries while sampling delicious menu items paired to BC VQA wine.

Dungeness Crab & Shrimp Cake from The Boathouse

Participating restaurants included:

  • C Restaurant
  • The Observatory
  • The Boathouse Restaurant
  • The Refinery
  • Westward Ho! Public House & Grill Room
  • O’Doul’s Restaurant
  • Bistro 101 at the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts
  • Vancouver Aquarium Catering & Events

Saskatoon Berry Tea Cured Salmon by C Restaurant

The Refinery won the Judge’s pick for their Olive Oil Poached Albacore Tuna, compressed pear, micro greens, sherry and citrus poached fennel, sherry and citrus sauce that was paired with the Mission Hill 5 Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc.

Double Dark Chocolate Mousse from Vancouver Aquarium Catering

This was the inaugural event to kick off Dine Out Vancouver 2011 which was also a sneak peek at some Dine Out Vancouver dishes!

By: Richard Wolak

Photos Credit: Marissa Winters

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WIN 2 Tickets to “The Inside Taste”

December 27th, 2010 admin

Enter to WIN 2 Tickets to “The Inside Taste” A Sustainable Plate & Pairing on January 20 at the Vancouver Aquarium, the ticket winners will not only attend the event, you will join me @vanfoodster and be my co-reporters covering the event for a post article on VancouverFoodster.com.

Help kick off Dine Out Vancouver 2011 and get a sneak peek of some Dine Out Vancouver dishes! Eight DOV restaurant chefs vie for top food and BC VQA wine pairing honours in this inaugural event.

Hosted by the Vancouver Aquarium in support of Ocean Wise™; Canada’s leading sustainable seafood program, you’ll be able to stroll through the Aquarium’s galleries while sampling delicious menu items paired to BC VQA wine.

A guest panel of judges will make their selections, but you will also be able to cast your vote for your favourite DOV menu pairing in the “People’s Choice” category. We hope you’re hungry!

For detailed information visit Dine Out Vancouver page for The Inside Taste.

Buy Tickets only $68 http://bit.ly/h8x28O

Now for The Contest

Follow these 2 steps:

1. Write a comment below about why you would be the perfect person to attend this Sustainable Plate & Pairing event and be co-reporters with @vanfoodster for the evening event. (Include your twitter address & full name)

2. Follow me and spread the word on Twitter by:

I entered to win 2 Tickets to “The Inside Taste” via @vanfoodster #DineOut #ContestGiveaway http://bit.ly/fnMewo RT to enter!

All submissions will be entered to win for the random draw. The winner of the pair of tickets will be announced on January 4th.

Fine Print: Contest will run until 12 noon on 1/4/11 You must enter your full name and twitter address if you have one and register with your email address when entering the contest.

Congratulations Marissa Winters @kitchenmuse for winning the contest.

Posted in Contests Tags: , , , 20 Comments »

Dine Out Vancouver Events: Something New

December 26th, 2010 admin

To mark the 9th Annual Dine Out celebration, Tourism Vancouver has added many new and exciting food and wine related events taking place in January and February.

Here are a few of the events that you are going to want to attend and make sure you get your tickets early before they sell out.

The Inside Taste: A Sustainable Plate & Pairing Challenge

January 20

Launch your Dine Out Vancouver experience and get a sneak peek of some Dine Out Vancouver dishes! Eight DOV restaurant chefs vie for top food and BC VQA wine pairing honours in this inaugural event. Hosted by the Vancouver Aquarium in support of Ocean Wise™, Canada’s leading sustainable seafood program. Tickets on sale now.

Act I, Eat 1

January 27, 28, February 4

Three epic dinner theatre pairings! The Arts Club Theatre Company and The PuSh International Performing Arts Festival pair two stellar shows with equally delicious meals at Cru, Red Door Pan Asian Grill and The Irish Heather Gastropub.

Buy Tickets

Dinner in the Dark

Presented by Culinary Capers Catering

February 5

Dinner is served at 7pm

Cost: $150* wine included, $120* without wine

Do you dare?

Culinary Capers Catering and Laughing Stock Winery present this sensory dining experience. Chef de Cuisine Jonathan Chovancek will prepare a tantalizing eight course mystery dinner paired with Laughing Stock wines. Dinner will be served at communal tables in the middle of Culinary Capers’ commercial kitchen. There is one catch; you will be blindfolded! Only through your heightened sense of smell, taste and touch will you experience this culinary delight. Bring your appetite and sense of adventure!

A vegetarian option available with 72 hours’ notice

To Book: Call Culinary Capers Catering 604.875.0123

Location: 1545 West 3rd Avenue

More exciting Dine Out Vancouver Events

By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Great Ideas, Latest, Restaurant Promotions Tags: , , , , , , , No Comments »

2010 Ocean Wise Seafood Chowder Chowdown

November 25th, 2010 admin

Dr John Nightingale (l) presenting Chef Ben Akira Berwick & team of Hapa Izakaya with their Trophy

The 3rd Annual Ocean Wise Seafood Chowder Chowdown was a huge success at a great event hosted by the Vancouver Aquarium on November 24th. This event saw hundreds of people sampling many or all of the twelve chowders from BC’s top twelve Ocean Wise restaurants from around the Vancouver, Victoria, Abbotsford and Kelowna, all of the chowders were paired with BC brews and the suggested beers were listed along each of the restaurants chowders.

Chef Ben Akira Berwick dishing “Halibut Dashi Chowder” - Hapa Izakaya

Hapa Izakaya - 1st place Winner - “Halibut Dashi Chowder”

Hapa Izakaya won 1st place with their “Halibut Dashi Chowder”, Chef Ben and Daiji, Oku & Junji  had cooked up a delicious, outstanding chowder and it was my favourite as well! Not only did they win the top prize by the judges, they also won the Peoples Choice Award as well!

Chef Chris Whittaker - O'Doul's - Winner Best Chowder & Beer Pairing

O`Douls - “Cortes Island Mussel and house-cured Bacon Chowder“

Storm Brewing - Scottish Cream Ale

The winner for Best Chowder and Beer Pairing went to O`douls with their “Cortes Island Mussel and house-cured bacon chowder“ paired with the Storm Brewing “Scottish Cream Ale“.

Savoury Chef -- Spot Prawn and Bacon Chowder with Smoked Scallop

Savoury Chef -- Spot Prawn and Bacon Chowder with Smoked Scallop

My Vancouver Foodster Top Picks

1)    Hapa Izakaya — Halibut Dashi Chowder

2)    Savoury Chef — Spot Prawn and Bacon Chowder with Smoked Scallop

3)    O`Douls — Cortes Island Mussel and house-cured Bacon Chowder

The Ramada Plaza (Abbotsford) - Healthy Oceans Chowder

Chef Todd Bright - Wild Rice Restaurant

I attended this event last year, see my post, it seems they dropped the Silver & Bronze awards this year and added the Chowder & Beer Pairing award. The restaurants represented were somewhat different in this years event and the seafood chowders were much more creative than the previous event. Last year I ate my way thru 8 chowders, missing out on 2 of them, this year I am happy to say that I ate my way through all 12 chowders!

Chef Dennis Peckham - Coast Restaurant

The Judging panel included: Chef David Hawksworth, Chester Carey, Rebecca Bollwitt (miss604), Chef Robert Clark and  Vancouver Deputy Mayor Kerry Jang . Each of the judges were served a fairly good size portion of each of the chowders to taste along with each of the beers and make their marks and notes.

Redfish Bluefish (Victoria) - Indo-Pacific Spot Prawn Chowder

Participating restaurants: Aqua Riva, COAST Restaurant, Codfather’s Market, Hapa Izakaya, O’Doul’s Restaurant & Bar, Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts (PICA), Redfish Bluefish, The Ramada Plaza, Rocky Mountain Flatbread, Savoury Chef, Vancouver Aquarium, and Wild Rice Restaurant.

Codfather’s Market (Kelowna) - Modern Crustocean Chowder

Ocean Wise is a program that was launched by the Vancouver Aquarium in 2005 to educate consumers on ocean-friendly seafood choices, this local initiative has become a national program, learn more at www.oceanwise.ca

I hope Hapa Izakaya will be adding their 1st place Winning Halibut Dashi Chowder to their menu at each of the 3 restaurants, I can’t wait to have another bowl!

By: Richard Wolak

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

Ocean Wise Chowder ChowDown November 24

November 14th, 2010 admin

The 3rd annual Ocean Wise Chowder ChowDown

At the Vancouver Aquarium

7 – 10pm

  • Tickets are $40 (non-members) and $32 (members)
  • 12 of BC’s top Ocean Wise chefs reveal their newest chowder competing for the Best Sustainable Seafood Chowder on the West Coast.
  • 12 top BC craft brewers provide delicious pairings. Celebrity Judges: Popular food reviewer Jamie Maw, celeb chef David Hawksworth and Robert Clark, famous blogger Miss604 join industry heavyweights to choose the winner on site!
  • Join in the fun, amazing food and innovative local beers, your ticket buys you samples galore!

Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown Vancouver 2010 Competitors:

http://www.oceanwise.ca/chowder-chowdown/vancouver

This was one of my favourite events last year, see it made my list.

Hope to see you there.

By: Richard Wolak

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

Toast to the Coast

October 24th, 2010 admin

On Friday October 22nd, I attended The Vancouver Aquarium’s 4th annual Toast to the Coast that featured many of Vancouver’s top restaurants, chefs and wineries serving their food and wine.

Chef Jean-Francis Quaglia - Provence

With 500 guests mingling and tasting, the festivities were in bloom, DJ Leanne spinning with jazzy beats made for a magical evening.

Derrick Cousins (r) Blasted Church Wines

My favourite dishes of the evening were the:

  • Flaming Prawns from Provence
  • Westcoast Seafood Ceviche from Fishworks
  • Smoked Lois Lake Steelhead Salmon from Trafalgar’s Bistro
  • Vegetarian Flatbread from Rocky Mountain Flatbread Co
  • Wild sockeye salmon with cauliflower puree from Pourhouse

Chef Chris Irving - Pourhouse

Chef Chris Beltrano (l) - Trafalgars Bistro

Westcoast Seafood Ceviche from Fishworks

Chef Ryan Mah (r) - Goldfish

Food and Wine is what this is event is about and most important—the greater social conscience that has made Toast to the Coast one of the Aquarium’s top fundraising events in support of its conservation and education programs.

By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Latest, Parties & Events Tags: , , 1 Comment »
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