Julia Smith, co-founder of Urban Digs Farm, was seriously injured over the holidays in an accident involving her 1,000-pound boar. As a purveyor of ethically raised meats and eggs, Smith has been supplying top restaurants and devoted customers for many years. Her injuries have put her farm in jeopardy, so a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help her sustain the business and her animals while she undergoes an extended recovery period. Those wishing to donate can do so at GoFundMe.com/JuliaGoredByABoar. Learn more about Urban Digs at UrbanDigsFarm.com.
Shane Taylor, wine director at CinCin Ristorante, has won the 2017 BC Sommelier of the Year competition. Taylor will be competing in the National Sommelier Competition in September. Read all about it here.
Juniper Kitchen & Bar has a new executive chef. Josh Gale, formerly of Nicli’s Next Door and Wildebeest (as well as New York City’s Café Boulud and Gramercy Tavern), has taken over from departing chef Sarah Stewart. Gale plans to build upon Juniper’s Pacific Northwest and Cascadian focus. His new winter menu will be featured during Dine Out Vancouver. JuniperVancouver.com
Sadly, Sunset Grill, a Kitsilano all-day-breakfast legend, is closing its doors this month after 28 years. Get in one last Irish Breakfast while you can. SunsetGrillVancouver.com
On Saturday, Feb. 4, Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar hosts a special BC wine brunch as part of Dine Out Vancouver. The brunch will be in a stand-up, grazing format, with seafood-focused canapés alongside wine stations from seven top BC wineries, including Haywire, Church & State, and Howling Bluff. Tickets $56.50. DineOutVancouver.com
Also as part of Dine Out Vancouver, Café Medina is holding a special Australia Day Wine Dinner on Thursday, Jan. 26. Chef Adam Perrier will be cooking five courses, each of which will be paired with a different Australian wine chosen by Café Medina manager and sommelier Jenna Briscoe, along with Jason Yamasaki, sommelier for Joey Restaurants Group. Tickets $106.68. DineOutVancouver.com
Holt Renfrew’s Holts Café has joined up with the Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise program to offer 100-per-cent sustainable seafood at every location nationwide. HoltRenfrew.com
Truffles Café is offering a special Valentine’s Day takeout dinner for two people. The three-course menu includes baby lettuce and snow pea salad, a choice of chateaubriand or squash ravioli, and dessert. The dinner for two is $85; orders must be placed no later than Thursday, Feb. 9, and can be picked up at any of Truffles’ four locations. TrufflesFineFoods.com
A new ready-to-blend smoothie company has launched in Vancouver. The Good Stuff offers pre-portioned and prepared smoothie ingredients in multiple combinations that are delivered to your door. Recipes are designed by a local dietitian, and ingredients are locally sourced and quickly frozen to preserve freshness and nutritional value. TheGoodStuffCo.com
