January 25th is known the world over as Robert Burns Day. Famous for his poems and songs, Scotland’s national bard is celebrated every year with a traditional dinner featuring bagpipes, honourary toasts and the “Address to the Haggis” – an often maligned (but rather tasty) Scottish delicacy. Last week it was the feisty folks at West Vancouver’s Seniors Centre who came out to raise a dram to the man who left us with much more than just his immortal memory. Congrats to all involved.
01 – Marny Peirson, seen here with hubby John, helped lead the Robbie Burns sing-a-long with her special prowess at the piano.
02 – Eric Sanderson, seen here with wife Shirley, is a master with the blade as he carved up the beast during his Address to the Haggis.
03 – Seniors Centre volunteers Mel Clark, left, and Nora Coates flank program coordinator Sylvia Lung as they help out during this special evening.
04 – Surrounded by “lassies”, Mike Nicols delivers the Toast to the Lassies. Hilary Blair, left, provided the Reply to the Lassies while May Loudon led her Gleneagles Scottish Country Dance Team in a reel or two after dinner.
05 – “Some hae meat and canna eat . . .” The Selkirk Grace was delivered in expert fashion by Bob Black.
06 – They’re almost as important as the haggis. Bartenders Ian Loudon, left, Ralph Townsend and Jim Adam keep the scotch topped up throughout the evening.
07 – Heading up the head table is Vancouver Burns Club president and West Vancouverite Robert Barr who also acted as the MC for the evening.
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By Catherine Barr – Jan 18, 2012
Also as seen in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on Jan 26, 2012
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Get out your datebooks and calendars, it’s time to plan your social schedule for the New Year. And while 2011 proved to be extra exciting, with red carpet galas and glamorous restaurant / wine events everywhere, here are a a few suggestions to pencil in for what promises to be a fabulous 2012. See you there!
Whistler’s annual 2011 Cornucopia Food and Wine Festival returns with the best year yet. Regular features, like the Crush Grand Gala Tasting Room and Casino Royale at Ric’s Grill are back. This year also marks the return of the Bearfoot Bistro’s famous Masquerave featuring Cirque du Soleil type performers, live music, free flowing libations and a feast for the senses unlike any other. Proprietor Andre Saint-Jacques moved the $350 per ticket soiree to the Listel Hotel’s parking garage and, with tv cameras in tow, proceeded to give Whistler a world-class party that was the envy of all.
The B.C. Produce Marketing Association and the BC Chefs Association held their 12th Annual Healthy Chef Competition Gala last week at the Hyatt hotel in Vancouver. Hosted by North Vancouver’s own weatherman/comedian Marke Driesschen (of CTV BC fame) the evening is always one of the best foodie highlights of the year. The night included a three course meal, with each person at the table enjoying one of the 10 competing chef’s creations. Dessert was an amazing artistic display and the winner always takes more points for it being as visual stunning as it is delicious. Congrats to everyone involved.
The Annual Forum for Women Entrepreneurs (FWE) Gala was held last week in honour of British Columbia’s female winery owners and experts. The ballroom at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel looked beautiful as former Premier Gordon Campbell took to the stage to congratulate all of the evening’s honourees at “Once Upon a Grapewine”. There was also a live taping of “The Tasting Room” with host Terry David Mulligan during the reception and a lavish silent auction full of fabulous libations. Also last week, it was time for the second annual Face of Tomorrow Gala. Hosted by Kasondra Cohen, daughter of Vancouver socialite and Army and Navy heiress Jacqui Cohen, the invite only party at Gotham’s restaurant featured an exclusive vodka ice lounge, auction items and live performances by Chin Injeti and Kreesha Turner.
Last week, Park Royal Shopping Centre welcomed its newest anchor tenant, Osaka Supermarket, with a celebration that rivaled New Year’s Eve. Part of the T&T chain, this newest location is only the second of its kind in Canada. With over 37,000 sq. ft. and 205 employees, it focuses on high-end products and an “upscale multicultural food experience”. The line-ups were around the block to get in on opening day which featured lion dancing, Taiko drumming, an eye-dotting ceremony and ribbon cutting with invited VIPs. PS. The door-crasher live lobsters special sold out in 3 hrs – and they were delicious.
It’s always a great night out and this year was no different. The 9th annual North Shore Rotary Wine and Food Festival was held last weekend at Park Royal South. Several wine and food stations, provided by local agencies and restaurants like Taylor’s Crossing, Grouse Mountain, The Keg, Mangia e Bevi and more, ensured guests could eat and sample to their heart’s content. Live music and mingling all helped raise funds for this year’s beneficiary, the North Shore Youth Safe House.
A new hotel, a new restaurant and a new art opening help wrap up the month of March and a busy Easter weekend filled with activities. First, it was a special private party to celebrate the Grand Opening of the new East Side Mario’s Restaurant and Lounge in the Lonsdale Quay. Food and festivities helped raise funds for the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation. Next, it was an Easter visit to the new Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier at the foot of Lonsdale which features a fabulous chic ultra lounge/restaurant and some of the best view banquet space on the North Shore. And, to wrap up the month, artist Tanya Slingsby’s hosted many North Shore guests at the opening of her “Arcana” art exhibit at her east side atelier.
All month long, West Vancouver’s Mangia e Bevi restaurant has been raising money for oncology research through their third annual “Festa Invernale”. Called B.A.C.I.O (Because a Cure is Obtainable), it is a cause close to the hearts of owners Doug Grisdale, Rob Parrott and Antonio Sauro, all of whom have had family members affected by this cancer. Last Sunday, the final celebration dinner took place featuring surprise musical guests Adam Woodall and Canadian country music star Jessie Farrell. A surprise cheque for $27,000 helped the group raise a total of $50,000 for the BC Children’s Hospital and Lions Gate Hospital Oncology Clinic.
The recent tragic events in Haiti will not soon be forgotten. Yet, while we attempt to help those devastated by this earthquake, we sometimes forget that there are children in need all over the third world where flood, famine and abject poverty occur every day. Last night, the good people behind the Angkor Hospital for Children (Friends Without a Border) held their “Taste the World” wine benefit at the Four Seasons Hotel. With Haiti very much on everyone’s mind, the night was a great success and will go a long way to helping little ones suffering in Cambodia.
It was a culinary event of Olympic proportions and the big winners were our own Olympic athletes. The Canadian Culinary Championships (CCC) were held late last month and were the culmination of the local regional Gold Medal Plates city competitions held throughout the year across Canada. The fundraisers were all designed to help put Canadian athletes on the podium come February – so no matter how you slice it, everyone came out a winner. Also, this week marks the start of Mangia E Bevi’s special month-long fundraiser entitled “B.A.C.I.O” (Because A Cure Is Obtainable). The West Vancouver restaurant is raising funds all this month with a special menu – a portion of which will be donated to the BC Children’s Hospital and the Lions Gate Hospital Oncology departments. Join them until Jan 31 at 
IT was a fun “foodie” type week last week as competitions, cookbooks and the first sign of Christmas crept into the headlines. First up, local chefs help promote sustainable seafood at the Vancouver Aquarium during the Seafood Chowder Chowdown. Then, it was time for a little Viva Italia at Quattro on 4th as local favourite, Antonio Corsi, teamed up to publish his family’s food secrets in a fabulous new cookbook – just in time for Christmas. And speaking of Christmas, the first cheer of the year goes to the good folks at Rogers Communication in a special holiday reception held at the chic and stylish Lift restaurant and lounge.
The 8th Annual North Shore Rotary Wine and Food Festival took place last weekend at Park Royal Shopping Centre. Sipping and sampling was on the menu as was live music and more. Local restaurants, wineres and volunteers all pitched in to help make it happen and proceeds raised will go to the North Shore Youth Safe House. Hanging out at the mall with friends was never quite like this. Cheers.
Country music, Bhangra drums plus celebrity chefs and wine helped wrap up the last week of Summer 2009. First up, the Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMA) brought big name singers to the city with a festival that included live concerts, fan parties and a fabulous live awards show that was broadcast across Canada. Next up, West Vancouver musician Ash Sood and friends were among the VIPs at a special private dinner to raise funds for the Bhangra International Festival Celebration. And when it comes to celebrating, no one does it better than the Wine of BC people with their annual Chef Meets Grape charity event in support of the Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise program.
Kermit the Frog said it best – It’s not easy being green. However, thanks to some new sustainable programs (like the Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise program), Vancouver chefs are responding with enthusiasm. Such was the case at Blue Water Cafe last week. West Vancouver owner Jack Evrensel, along with his talented team, launched a new seafood cookbook focusing on “Spare the Ocean, Spoil the Palate”. The restaurant also played host to the Red Carpet Soiree – a toast to the 100 year celebration of the Red Cross – an organization known for its care of third world, health and sustainable recycling programs.
The big lighthouse in Park Royal’s Village is shining a light on something new thanks to some funky changes and an innovative menu designed by famed Vancouver chef Rob Feenie. Since taking over the former Steamworks location, the gang at the Cactus Club’s West Van Taphouse has reinvented the space making it unique by offering their 20/20 beer menu, entertainment and more. Last week all was revealed at a special media tasting event that proves this group has tapped into something really great.