Mondays episode of Top Chef Canada featured Indian cuisine, and Vancouver-based award winning chef Vikram Vij as a guest judge for the elimination challenge. The chefs had to create an Indian feast for the judges and guests. To prepare and inspire them for this feast, the chefs were invited to sample the many flavours of Indian cuisine featured in Vijs at Home, chef Vijs own line of ready to eat Indian curries. Im delighted that Top Chef Canada has chosen to highlight Indian cuisine on the show, and put it up there with Italian or French cooking for these chefs as well as future chefs watching the show, said Vij.
Meanwhile, Vancouver chefs have until June 11 to submit their application to be on season four of the Food Network's popular tv show. Entry information here.
The Vancouver International Tequila Expo returns to Vancouver on Fri, May 24 from 6-9 pm at the Hyatt Regency 655 Burrard. The second annual event is Western Canadas largest festival dedicated to tequila, and aims to increase the presence of the spirit in the region. The event is a public grand tasting hall (1,500 tickets available) with an afternoon trade component to ensure maximum exposure to tequila products and a large customer base. There will be more than 60 tequilas available (such as el Jimador, pictured below), poured by more than 23 producers. Tickets are $65.25 and are only available online at VancouverTequilaExpo.com.
This years 11th annual EAT! Vancouver Food + Cooking Festival will highlight its numerous gluten-free exhibitors. There will be seminars, classes, and demos based solely on gluten-free living at the event. They will be for anyone thinking of starting, newly adopted, or an old veteran to the gluten free diet. Everyone can benefit from the classes and stage demonstrations. The EAT! festival runs Fri, May 24 from 2-9 pm; Sat, May 25 from 10am -9pm; Sun, May 26 from 10am-5pm. Adults $16 ($14 online), seniors $14, youth 13-16 $9, free for kids 12 and under. Info and tickets Eat-Vancouver.com.
Choices Floral Shop and Annex (2615 W. 16 Ave) is hosting two upcoming seminars. The first, Girls with Fish: Cooking Demo and Dinner with Chef Karen Barnaby, Mark Anthony Wines and Ocean Wise. Cost is $70 with partial proceeds to Ocean Wise. Prepayment is required. Register online or in person at the W. 16th location. The event is on Tues, May 28 from 6:30-9:30 pm. The second event is Gluten-Free Gets Easier:Cooking Demo and Tastings with Sheila Fetter and Nicole Fetterly, RDs. Cost is $30 and includes copy of the Gluten-Free Food Guide, 2nd Edition. Register online or call 604-736-0009.The event is on Thurs, May 30 from 6:30-8:30pm.
CIBC and its employees, with support from Glowbal Restaurant Group, will be hosting its 10th annual barbecue today (Thurs, May 23) downtown. One hundred per cent of the food sales will benefit the BC Childrens Hospital. Glowbal Restaurant Group will be supplying all food, along with a culinary brigade from all seven restaurants within The Glowbal Collection, to cook and dish up the delicious selections.The $15 set menu will include the following options: braised short rib on house made hoagie with tomato jam, horseradish cream and fried onions, served with potato salad and quinoa salad. The event runs 11:45 am-1 pm at CIBC, 400 Burrard.
Join House Wine on June 3 from 7-9pm at Vancouver Urban Winery (55 Dunlevy) for a rare conversation and tasting with globally-respected winemaker and consultant Alberto Antonini. Antonini manages his own winery in Tuscany, and is a partner on numerous projects, having lent his expertise to more than 50 wineries around the world, including Summerlands progressive Okanagan Crush Pad.This is the first time thatAntoninihas been available for a publicevent in Vancouver. Tickets are available for $79 plus GST.
