Catherine Barr – Events, Celebrities & Entertainment News

Tag: fairmont pacific rim

Canada’s Bartender of the Year 2014 in Vancouver

What does it take to become Canada’s Bartender of the Year? Well, you must know your spirits and mixes for starters. A knowledge of basic ingredients also helps. Then there’s the whole science of muddling things. And, if you want to impress, you must have a flair for the dramatic too. Last week ten of the best from across the country came together to compete in Canada’s most prestigious contest in a two day, two city event that dazzled the mind and entertained the imagination. Sponsored by Diageo World Class Canada, this year’s winner was Grant Sceney of Vancouver’s own Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel. Grant impressed his peers and judges Dale DeGroff, Tony Abou-Ganim, Steve Olson and last year’s victor Jenner Cormier, to take home top prize. Now he’s off to the U.K. where he will compete against 40+ of the world’s best bartenders at the World Class Global Finals on July 28th. A gala celebration night was held at the Vancouver Art Gallery on the final night. Congrats to all involved.

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01 – Shea Hogan, from the Shameful Tiki Room on Main, chats with Bittered Sling’s Lauren Mote who can also be found at Uva Wine Bar.

02 – Cooper Tardivel, left, bar manager at Hawksworth in the Rosewood Hotel Georgia, celebrates with Absolute Vodka’s Jacob Sweetapple.

03 – Taking a chance to get out from behind the bar are Navin Toor, left, beverage coordinator for Earls, Jay Jones, who is the new Director of Wine & Beverage with Canucks Sports & Entertainment, and Stephen Whiteside, from the Donnelly Group.

04 – Winner Grant Sceney, head bartender at the Fairmont Pacific Rim, is all smiles with Victoria Whyte as they celebrate his victory in style.

05 – Samir Sharma chats with contestant and fellow Keefer bar man Gerald (Gez) McAlpine.

06 – Fairmont Waterfront chef Alessandro Vianello and Prestons Restaurant supervisor Harriet Vianello enjoy the gala reception.

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By Catherine Barr – June 24, 2014

Also as seen in the Vancouver Sun Newspaper

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By Catherine Barr

www.CatherineBarr.com | www.WestVancouver.com | www.NorthVancouver.com

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July 13, 2014
Lift the Children Gala for Africa

Can you imagine having no schools or hospitals? How about no crops or food? Sadly, this is real life for entire populations of people living in Africa. It is also the life many children are born into with little hope for the future. Lift The Children is trying to change all that. With 10,000 children in more than 80 orphanages, Lift The Children is an organization “dedicated to seeking out the world’s most destitute children and providing them with the necessities, training and inspiration they need to develop, grow, and become self-sufficient.” Recently, at the glamorous Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel in Vancouver, guests and VIPs came out to support the society with a magical fundraising evening. Featuring a live auction, and live entertainment by comedian Jason Hewlett, the event raised more than $735,000 for the charity.

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01 – Fashion designer Grandy Chu, second from right, poses with her models to show off the latest black and white styles.

02 – Helping support the cause are Bill and Lauren Persson of Fino Lino fame.

03 – Rene and Deb Palsenbarg mingle during the cocktail reception.

04 – Funny and talented, entertainer/comedian Jason Hewlett had everyone laughing out loud.

05 – Beautiful Naz Taylor finally got to spend some time with partner Geoff after a busy day as organizer.

06 – Enjoying some conversation before the dinner are Adrian Alleyne and Asgar Virji.

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By Catherine Barr – May 31, 2014

Also as seen in the Vancouver Sun Newspaper

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By Catherine Barr

www.CatherineBarr.com | www.WestVancouver.com | www.NorthVancouver.com

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June 16, 2014
Love Her Ovarian Cancer Gala Vancouver 2014

It was a celebration of women, fun and fashion at the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel last week as guests gathered to join in the fight against ovarian cancer. Still considered the most fatal of all women’s cancers, the 2014 Lover Her Gala celebrated the memory of those we’ve lost while helping to raise funds for Ovarian Cancer Canada (the only national charity dedicated solely to overcoming ovarian cancer). Despite the solemn nature of the cause, laughter and smiles were still the order of the night as Canadian comedienne and former Royal Canadian Air Farce star Jessica Holmes took to the stage in a hilarious tribute. A fabulous fashion show by Marilyn’s and VG Shoes ended with the men in the audience being encouraged to come up on stage and, for a modest donation, strut their stuff on the catwalk – much to the delight of the whole audience.

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01 – Media mogul turned shoe maven Vicki Gabereau, left, teams up with gal pal and West Vancouver fashionista Marilyn Diligenti to put on a fashion show to remember.

02 – Love Her 2014 Gala event chair Rose Keith, centre, poses with volunteers Catherine Paterson, left, and Sheri Eastman.

03 – Honourary event chair Yvonne Zawadzki, of Birks fame.

04 – Global TV anchor Sophie Lui, left, and Global National BC’s Robin Gill.

05 – She’s got a wealth of impressions up her sleeve. Impersonator/comedienne Jessica Holmes had everyone roaring with laughter.

06 – Models from Marilyn’s and VG Shoes prepare backstage for the big show.

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By Catherine Barr – May 28, 2014

Also as seen in the Vancouver Sun Newspaper

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By Catherine Barr

www.CatherineBarr.com | www.WestVancouver.com | www.NorthVancouver.com

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June 10, 2014
Dine Out Vancouver Festival 2014

Have you been sticking to that New Year’s diet plan? If yes, then this will probably not help. If no, then get ready to indulge in one of the most delicious times of the year. Tourism Vancouver’s Dine Out Vancouver Festival is on now (Jan 17 – Feb 2) and you won’t want to miss it. This city wide event was originally designed to give a boost to a traditionally slow time of year by having various restaurants offer dining incentives and special tasting menus. Now in its 12th year, there are a record breaking 263 restaurants taking part in the event with menus priced at $18, $28 and $38. There are also 16 North Shore restaurants dishing up “yum” including Olive and Anchor, Pier 7, Salmon House on the Hill, Troll’s, Zen, Village Taphouse, Cactus Club and more. Media members got a sneak preview last week as we were escorted around in various themed groups – but all you need to do to join the fun is to be sure to book a reservation in advance. Check out dineoutvancouver.com and enjoy!

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01 – Owned by West Vancouver’s Jack Evrensel, West restaurant played host to the media dine out party preview. From left: Owen Knowlton, Lynn Gervais and chef Quang Dang.

02 – Getting ready with all their delicious press releases, public relations pros Michelle Palikot, left, and Crystal Kwon enjoy some super supper samples.

03 – So great to have CTV News anchor Coleen Christie and photographer Dan Poh join the media dine around event as part of my “Posh Nosh” group. Yum!

04 – Ready, set, eat! Tourism Vancouver’s Lucas Pavan tries to gather his “Meat vs Veg” group together to set out for the night.

05 – Enjoying the pre-dinner cocktail party are Tourism Vancouver’s Walt Judas, left, and media foodie Nathan Fong.

06 – Pork belly, beef shortrib, lobster and more. Everyone left with a smile after sampling Fairmont Pacific Rim and Oru chef Darren Brown’s exquisite menu.

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By Catherine Barr – January, 2013

Also as seen in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on Jan 23, 2014

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January 20, 2014