Food and stories
Local Canadian writers of Chinese ancestry will share stories about food to nourish our body, spirit and community at the Eat Rice, Talk Story lecture. The lineup of writers includes: award-winning Evelyn Lau, writer and Poet Laureate of Vancouver; chef Bob Sung, who says Food is my medium; activist Sid Chow Tan, who grew up in a restaurant in North Battleford, Saskathewan; Chinatown-born Larry Wong, whose latest book is Dim Sum Stories: A Chinatown Childhood; and Steven Wong, who self-published Wong Family Feast. An appetizer will accompany each writers presentation, followed by tea and Q&A. Part of the Heart of the City Festival, this free event is first-come first-served. Tuesday, Oct. 30, 7:30 to 9:30pm at the Chinese Cultural Centre Museum & Archives, 555 Columbia.
Dine and save
BC Hydro is partnering with Tourism Vancouver for the fourth annual Candlelight Conservation Dinner on Oct. 25. Forty-three local restaurants are dimming their lights to raise awareness of energy conservation. Participating restaurants are offering exclusive discounts and special offers for one night only. Offers range from a free appetizer to two-for-one entrées. Every year during October, Power Smart Month, BC Hydro shows British Columbians how to make smart energy use choices and save money on monthly electricity bills. BC Hydro provides increased rebates and incentives to help encourage energy conservation throughout the year.
Eat your vegetables
Vegetarian restaurant The Parker officially opened its doors for service this month. The restaurant, which is nestled between Vancouvers Chinatown and Strathcona neighbourhoods at 237 Union, will highlight local vegetables crafted into delicate dishes with many an ingredient grown and cultivated in the restaurants own community garden. Owned and operated by restaurant veterans Jason Leizert, Steve Da Cruz and Martin Warren, The Parker is a boutique addition to the growing vegetarian restaurant scene in Vancouver. The difference here is in the technique. Chef Leizert utilizes traditional French methods skills he honed at Michelin starred La Trompette in London to lift fresh vegetables to new heights. Menus are available at TheParkerVancouver.com.
Day of Hope Gala
Nov. 15 sees the return of the Mission Possible fourth annual Day of Hope Gala. Mission Possible is a humanitarian agency in Vancouvers Downtown Eastside, which works to provide meaningful employment and volunteering opportunities for people challenged by homelessness and poverty. The Day of Hope Gala is its principal fundraiser, raising money to grow and support Mission Possibles community programs on the Downtown Eastside. The evening will include a cocktail and wine reception followed by a three-course dinner, a live and silent auction. The evening will be hosted by CTVs Mi-Jung Lee and entertainment by Virgin Radio Morning Crews Nat and Drew. For more information, visit Mission-Possible.ca.
Dishcrawl debut
Dishcrawl, an international start-up founded on the premise that communities can be brought together through good food and good company, is expanding to Vancouver this November. The event takes food lovers on a gourmet Dishcrawl to four distinctive restaurants in one night. Its like a pub crawl but more delicious. On Wednesday, Nov. 14 at 7pm, Dishcrawl will explore Vancouvers Gastown neighborhood with the mission to give folks a reason to get out of the house and socially engage with each other while helping local restaurants gain exposure. Reservations are $49 per person. Participating restaurants are kept secret until two days before the event, at which time the first location is revealed to ticket holders. For more information about Vancouvers upcoming Dishcrawls, or to make a reservation, visit Dishcrawl.com/Vancouver or follow @DishCrawlVan.
Making artisan pasta
During her career, author Aliza Green has studied with Marcella Hazan and produced and served fresh pasta for hundreds of guests as executive chef at Ristorante DiLullo. So it is only natural that she would share her pasta expertise in her newest book, Making Artisan Pasta. With simple, fresh ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, Making Artisan Pasta teaches readers how make their own fettuccine, ravioli, lasagna, and dozens of other styles of pasta and noodles by hand with fully illustrated, step-by-step tutorials. At an upcoming Masterclass at Barbara Jos Books to Cooks (1740 W. 2nd), Chef Andrew Richardson of CinCin will discuss and demonstrate the entire process from mixing dough, rolling and shaping pasta through cooking, serving and storing. Saturday, Nov. 3, 11am. Cost: $97 (includes a copy of Making Artisan Pasta). On Nov. 4, guest chefs from Big Lous Butcher Shop will discuss and demonstrate three classic techniques to transform ordinary, less expensive cuts into truly impressive fare. Cost: $105 (includes a copy of The Butchers Apprentice).
Rare whiskey for sale
A Second World War-era whiskey made its world debut at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) as part of the recent grand opening of North Americas first World Duty Free store last month. The debut of the second release of Generations Glenlivet70 Year Old was part of the World Duty Free Connoisseur Collection at YVR just days after the anniversary of the Battle of Britain, during which the cask was laid.Therare Scotch malt whisky is the last from a cask laid down in 1940, when few casks were made due to rationed grain and fuel. Four of the 100 bottles available will be sold for $35,888 perbottle until Nov. 1 exclusively at the World Duty Free store at YVR.
