BC [Okanagan Namely] VQA Trade Tasting.

Twice a year the VQA [Vinters Quality Assurance] sponsors these events to try the new releases, Fall being more reds, spring being more whites. I must say that the quality of wine is really progressing a lot more being "drinkable" meaning I would pay money for them. Some that Jancis Robsinson Raved about I didn't find to be that "awesome" they were good But I found them to be too one dimensional.

Tasted A lot but these are the ones that stood out. Also helped out the old friends from the Restaurant.

Random Pictures, including after events har har.....to much to drink


Some Standout Wines and Wineries

8th Generation [German Wine Maker / Grower]
Pinot Gris 2008 [Really Nice Acidity Thumbs up for me]
Rose 2008 [Fantastic Sold Out and 2009 has a waiting list from my understanding]
Merlot [Don't know Vintage But really nice]

CedarCreek Winery
In Generally All Wines Doing pretty well
2007 Merlot [Big Wine, Big Tannins, Good purity of fruit]
Plantium Chard 2007 [Oaked for sure in French Oaked I generally Don't like Chard or Oaked Whites heh]

Chandra Estate Winery
Chardonnay "Yue" 2006 [A Chardonnay I liked, Hint of Oak very nice Good value too]

Clos Du Soleil Winery
Never heard of this Winery, Had a good looking blond pouring so OF Course I had to try the wine.
Red 2007 [Man what a fantastic wine it actually made me stop and think about it, did some research after the event seen its good some good reviews from local wine critics defintly a buy]

Garry Oaks
Really Impressed with there Wines
Pinot Noir [Red Fruit, Spice good purity of fruit tho Cranberry, Strawberry ,Rhubarb]
Pinot Gris [Love it good Acidity]

Mission Hill
Compendium 2006 [Drinking Nicely, smooth touch of fruit, dark chocolate]
Quatrain 2006 [A merlot Syrah blend, Syrah very syrupy coming through smooth creamy, fruit]
Oculus 2006 [BIG MASSIVE WINE, almost not drinkable, no point in opening this anytime soon the Tannins are just massive good fruit coming through tho]

Poplar Grove Winery
The 2005 Merlot and Legacy showing very nice currently [Just opened a 2004 Merlot which was Fantastic, you can ask Kim and Vibemore about it!]

Quails Gate Estate Winery
Heard Lots of good things about there Pinot Noir, they were pouring both of theres
Definitely a new World style play
Pinot Noir 2007 [Raspberry Coulis very nice]
Pinot Noir 2007 Reserve [Same profile as regular but a lot smoother]

Road 13
Viognier Rousanne Marsanne 2008 [Really Impressive]
Jackpot Syrah 2007 [Jancis Robinson Liked this wine, has those Rhone Qualities minerality fruit]

Summerhill Pyramid Organic Winery
Both Bubblies I love Blanc de Blanc really good
Cipes Brut NV
Organic Cipes Gabriel Blanc de Blanc NV

Not to Shabby all in all

BC Cold Show 2009 - May 24

Cold Show - To make real looking food by using any method necessary to with stand 8hrs of "Show time". AKA making Fake Food.

Basic Idea, you make a menu design it use whatever you can and glaze it in gelatin to give it a shine, and be able to hold for 8hrs

Also I did not get to help this year. I did not take these photos its with my camera just any bad pictures you can't blame me!

Fetzer Wine Competition 2009- Great Beginnings

Fetzer Wine Competion 2009

This event is a really good event for two reason, it promotes your restaurant with feeding of a couple hundred? people, and that we get free booze.

It happens during the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival here in Beautiful British Columbia. There are like a 100 events spread over like 3 or so days. With trade tasting and everything.

(*Image - Waiting at the Loading Dock of Fairmont Hotel)

Fetzer sponsors this event with wine pairing being the goal. Ten Restaurants 2 prizes. 1st Place Judge and 1st Place peoples choice. If you win the judging prize it is a write up in Wine Access Magazine, and 1500$ Travel voucher, so it definitely gets you motivated. So what we decided to do at the restaurant was to pair with the 2008 Gewurztraminer a Confit Duck [folded in with Duck Fat, Pomegrante Reduction which had Cinnamon, Cardamon, Fennel, Star Anise, Bay Leaf, Black Pepper and some other stuff] Wrapped with Duck Proscuitto, Goat Gouda Tart, Basil Citron Vinegrette with Baby Greens.

It was a great event, I didn't win but had lots of people love the food.

I have more images but I am waiting on trying to get some from the Hired Photographer, my camera doesn't do low lightning very well I need to buy me a new camera. so hopfully I can get them up in a week or so.

BC Hot Show 2009 Day 2

Team Gold (2nd Overall)
Apprentise Gold (2nd Overall)
Professional We had two enter. Both Gold (2nd and 3rd Overall respectfully)

Blackbox I lost in the semi Finals. I did lose to the Winner tho So really it ain't all that bad hah

All in All Mostly Gold Bling Bling

Thats all I have for tonight way to tired

BC Hot Show 2009 Day 1

So here is Day 1.

Team Competition Run For our Kitchen Happened won't know results until tomorrow

Student Category (High School) - Silver

Black Box

Chef Lost in First Round
Me Won, am in Round 2 (Tomrrow)

Getting Ready for the BC Chefs Ass. Hot Show 2009

So our Kitchen is getting ready for the Hot Show '09. Lots of long hours lots of practicing lots of discussing lots of everything.

We have entering
1 Team for the Team Competition (3 courses 1.5hrs)
2 in the Professional Cat. (30mins Phaesant + Portobella Mushrooms)
1 in the Apprentice Cat. (30 mins Veal Loin)
2 in the Iron Chef Black Box (30min Unknown Feature Ingredient)

I am in the black box, so that will be fun my first time Im already freaking out and its not until Sunday.

Also the Day after the comp or whenever I get to it Ill post the dishes of what they were until then stay tuned~

The end of the year Cooking

So 2008 ended with an alright number of people coming to the restaurant, not as busy as last year and people didn't stay late to midnight (2 tables compared to well alot more). Sold one glass of Sparkling (Blue Mountain NV im 99% sure it was) no Champagne. Dine out 2009 is Coming if people are penny pinching it might be busy only time will tell.

Other then that it is time to get ready for the "Hot Show" alot of people in the restaurant are getting ready 3 for the individuals, one for the team event, and 2 for the Black Box (me being one). I should be able to get some phots for that when it happens Jan 25/26 at BC Place).

Cold Show 2008 BC Place @ Van Eats

This is some old photos from Cold Show 2008. [Testing too see if I can add a slideshow]

What is Cold Show?
Its where you make stuff look like real beautiful food, everything is non-edible, some of it is real food and some of it is stuff to look like real food it is then all glazed in gelatin to make it shinny and hold its look in a warm envirment for 8hrs.

Here you go Enjoy

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