Kudos to Summerhill Pyramid Winery in Kelowna for winning the title of Best Chardonnay in the World at the Chardonnay du Monde competition in Burgundy, France. Summerhill’s 2014 Chardonnay Icewine beat out 706 entries to come in first. It’s also the only Canadian winery to rank in the top 10 in the world. summerhill.bc.ca
Milano Coffee Roasters won three gold medals at the International Institute of Coffee Tasters’ annual competition, for its Suave Rico, New Italian and Frank’s roasts. Find them at all six locations. milanocoffee.ca
Les Dames d’Escoffier, BC Chapter, has awarded over $25,000 in educational scholarships, bursaries and work experiences to deserving women in the hospitality, wine, culinary, business, and related industries. The 28 recipients from across BC span those at the start of their careers to those at a turning point or a development stage in a mature career. This year’s generous sponsors include Cacao Barry, chef John Bishop (Bishop’s); the Vancouver Pastry Training Centre, the Pacific International Culinary Association, the Northwest Culinary Academy of Vancouver, and Two Rivers Specialty Meats. Learn more about Canada’s largest culinary scholarship program for women at lesdames.ca
Provence Marinaside and TWB – The Wine Bar are launching a new bubbly program that will see 24 bottles available by the glass, starting in May. The new list includes standouts such as Veuve Cliquot Yellow Label, Louis Roederer Cristal 2009, La Marca Prosecco, Mas Fi Cava, and many Canadian bubbles. The new Verre de Vin preservation system, which “tricks” the bottle into maintaining the same C02 pressure as before the bottle was opened, allows a sparkling wine to maintain its flavour and effervescence for up to 21 days after the bottle has been opened. Glasses range in price from a very affordable $8 for Montelvini Prosecco right up to $105 for the Moet et Chandon Dom Perignon 2006. provencemarinaside.ca
The recently opened Forkhill House Irish Bistro (1616 Alberni St.) has launched a daily happy hour, offering wine, highballs and pints of import beer for $5 each, from 3pm to 6pm. There’s also a weekly Sunday roast that will rotate through dishes like roast beef with Yorkshire pudding, porchetta, stuffed turkey, and more. forkhillhouse.com
On Sunday, Apr. 16, Yew Seafood and Bar, in the Four Seasons Hotel, will host its annual Easter Brunch Buffet. The family-friendly meal includes breakfast pastries, a raw bar, carvery, soups, hot and cold brunch items, desserts, and a separate kids’ area with ice cream and sundae station. $85 for adults, $42 for children 6 to 12, and $25 for non-hotel guests aged 5 and under. yewseafood.com
The Les Amis du Fromage location at 843 E. Hastings St. will be hosting an Easter weekend pop-up with The Salty Cookie on Saturday, Apr. 15, from 11am to 4pm. Cookies include salty brown sugar, spicy ginger molasses, brown-butter chocolate chip, and more, as well as whoopie pies. The store will also be open for Easter cheese sales. buycheese.com
On Sunday, Apr. 16, The Cascade Room (2616 Main St.)will be offering an Easter dinner. The three-course meal includes mustard-crusted roast beef served with green beans, braised kale, carrot purée, roasted potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, and rosemary gravy, as well as soup or salad, and dessert. Tickets $32 per person ($56 with wine pairings). The menu is available at three seatings – 5pm, 7pm, and 9pm – and is also available à la carte. thecascade.ca
Cibo Trattoria is offering an Easter halibut menu for $65 per person, April 14 to 16. The four-course menu includes Sicilian halibut broth, fennel pollen and citrus-cured halibut, parmesan brodo poached halibut, and organic crème fraiche panna cotta. The menu also includes a “welcome” cocktail. Wine pairings are available for an additional $40. cibotrattoria.com
