Catherine Barr – Events, Celebrities & Entertainment News

Tag: hawksworth

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
Canadian Sommelier Association BC Launch at Hawksworth Vancouver

Champagne was flowing and glasses were clinking at the celebration launch of the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers (CAPS) in British Columbia. President Michelle Bouffard welcomed guests to the private room at Hawksworth Restaurant (in the Rosewood Hotel Georgia) and introduced the BC association and its board members. Wine experts alike agree that the new association will help bring big opportunities to the province and members are happy to now be affiliated with the prestigious Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI) which is based in Paris. Members of the BC CAPS chapter will now also be eligible to compete in the Best Sommelier of the World Competition – as well as pouring you your favourite wines at all of Vancouver’s best world-class restaurants.

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01 – Sebastien LeGoff, international relations for CAPS and Cactus Club wine director, toasts with MW Barb Phillip, who is a CAPS VP and also a buyer with the British Columbia Liquor Control and Licensing Board.

02 – Board member Mark Taylor, seen here with movie hair stylist Danna Rutherford, is in charge of CAPS events here in British Columbia.

03 – Alison Scholefield, left, of Haywire/OK Crush Pad chats with wine expert Leeann Froese of Town Hall brands.

04 – Sommelier Nessa van Bergen, of the Bon Vivant Group, cuddles up to husband/chef Dino Renaerts.

05 – With a toast to the future, CAPS president and WineGals owner Michelle Bouffard welcomes guests.

06 – Hawksworth GM Chad Clark, left, helps ensure a perfect event with chef David Hawksworth.

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By Catherine Barr – April 15, 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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April 16, 2014
Diner en Blanc Vancouver Style

It’s from Paris. It’s white. And it’s all a big secret until an hour before it happens. Le Dîner en Blanc, a specialty dining extravaganza originally imported from France, is quickly becoming a world-wide phenomenon. But this members only invite celebration is a visually stunning spectacle to behold. Held in Vancouver this past week, this second annual gathering was the most perfect posh picnic in the history of Vancouver. The rules are strict; wear white, bring white tables and chairs, and pay attention to your team leader. And if you don’t show, you are persona non grata for next year. This year’s event attracted over 2,500 people who signalled the start of dinner by waving their napkins high in the air outside on the lawn at the Science World secret location. Then there was music, conversation, food and flirting. It all ended shortly after dark as guests lit their sparklers en masse to salute a perfect evening of swanky socializing. As for the after-party – we’ll that’s another story – wink.

01 – They’re West Vancouver’s amazing brother/sister team. Ania and Adam Taubenfligel represent two thirds of the Triarchy fashion label (along with other brother Mark – missing from photo) and have helped put Vancouver on the map with their designer denim pieces.

02 – West Vancouver’s David Campbell and Tammy Preast could have sailed right up to the door of Science World in one of his Freedom Marine yachts. But like everyone else, they didn’t know the location of the secret dinner until the last minute.

03 – Chris Breikss, of 6s Marketing fame, proposes a champagne toast to the occasion with wife Kyla, left, and group leader Kristen Schreiner.

04 – West Vancouver’s Lenora Gates and Bob Repchuck make it look elegant and easy by packing a custom trolly with their table, chairs, food and linens. Smart!

05 – Helping serve up custom dinner order options for those without picnic baskets, signature chef David Hawksworth keeps it fancy and al fresco.

06 – Social Concierge’s Tyson Villeneuve, left, and Jordan Kallman are known for their razzle dazzle style and larger-than-life events. They are credited with bringing Diner en Blanc to Vancouver.

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By Catherine Barr – Aug 22, 2013

Also as seen in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on Aug 29, 2013

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August 26, 2013
BC Chef’s Society Dinner

Thomas Haas Chef

It was billed as the dinner of a lifetime. North Vancouver’s own Pino Posteraro, of Cioppino’s Mediterranean Grill fame in Yaletown, played host to an elite group of famous foodies at his restaurant earlier this month to serve a $500 a plate, 12-course feast in support of the BC’s Chefs’ Table Soiety (CTS). The “Senza Frontiere” (without borders) dinner helped raise funds for the creation of bursaries and scholarships for young, emerging, student chefs. Vancouver’s finest chefs shared kitchen duty as they put their egos on hold and cooked up a storm that was dressed to impress. Congrats. (more…)

January 19, 2009