1st Annual Exceptional EATS! Awards Winners Announced
Today the winners of the 1st Annual Exceptional Eats! Awards were announced. Organized by BC’s food authority, EAT Magazine, the awards are a celebration of the notables from Victoria to Sointula and Tofino to Salt Spring (the Islands!).
This from Gary Hynes, editor of EAT:
We knew EAT readers can be vocal about what they like. They eat loyally at their favourite restaurants; shop for quality ingredients at farm markets, specialty delis and bakeries; and support a sustainable, seasonal and local approach to eating.
Some prefer taste above all else, others support ethical buying and concern for the environment over genetically produced foods; while still others follow the 100 mile diet and forgo bland foods flown in at high cost.
To Vancouver Island, a big thank-you for your tremendous response to the 1st Annual Exceptional Eats! Awards reader’s survey. You went online in droves and barely flinched at the wopping 38 questions we posed. You’ve proven beyond a doubt you are one of the most passionate and savvy food & wine regions in BC, Canada—hey— even North America. Go ahead and boast. You live in a vibrant, giving and bountiful food community. From our top chefs to the farms and farmstands up and down the Island to your overwhelming support for local small shops, restaurants and businesses, Islanders are a unique bunch and deserve your own food and drink awards.
*the latest issue of EAT hits the streets today – don’t miss it**
Beerspeak: R&B Brewing Company Iceholes Celebration Lager
Who – R&B Brewing Company
What – Iceholes Celebration Lager
Where – Vancouver
Why – There’s nothing finer to pair with hockey than cold beer. Wait – even better – there’s nothing finer to pair with Canadian Olympic Hockey than tasty Vancouver-made beer! The story behind this limited edition lager is pretty fine itself – see Beerspeak below. Golden hued (there’s an omen right there!), this crisp, medium bodied beer has a spicy, bready flavour with light hops and a refreshing, light finish. Easy drinking and widely appealing. In other words, hockey beer.
When – In front of the TV, cheering on the home team to GOLD. You also might want to check out Refuel’s “Be an Icehole Burger & Beer” special running throughout February. Oh yeah – you can also drink while wearing your Iceholes t-shirt, available on the R&B Brewing website.
How (much) – 650ml bottle.
Winespeak of the Week –In response to Stephen Colbert calling Canadians a bunch of syrup suckers and iceholes for not letting the U.S. Olympic Speedskating team practice on the ice oval, R&B created a very special lager. Barry Benson, co-owner of R&B Brewing says “We are proud syrup-sucking Canadian iceholes. In celebration of our icehole-ish behaviour we have decided to get even rather than get mad. Canadians can wreak their revenge against Stephen Colbert in a truly Canadian way and have a beer.” Rumour has it that R&B sent Colbert a few cases, and that he’s been invited to suck on an Icehole.
From Farm to Cup – an Island Brewmaster’s Dinner
Resolve to try new things this year? How about a Brewmaster Dinner? With a new brewery you’ve never heard of before? On Saturday, January 23, LURE Restaurant at the Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort and Spa is hosting and Island Brewmaster’s Dinner – a six course menu paired with beers from Salt Spring Island Ales
The evening’s menu, prepared by LURE Chef Mike Weaver, will feature an abundance of local, seasonal ingredients including, among other things: Qualicum Bay Scallops, Fanny Bay Oysters, Galloping Goose Sausage and Salt Spring Island cheese. Each of the six courses will be paired with a different Salt Spring Ale including some rare and unusual offerings, such as their ‘Heather Ale’ (made with local heather flowers), ‘Whale Tail Ale’ (a North American style Alt), ‘Salt Spring Porter’ (a dry, ‘roasty’ Porter) and the ever popular, seasonal ‘Fireside Winter Ale’. Also featured will be Salt Spring’s multiple national medal winning ‘Golden Ale’ and ‘Pale Ale’.
Salt Spring’s resident brewmaster Murray Hunter and brewery co-owners will be in attendance to celebrate local beer and food and the farm-to-cup connection.
$55 per person. Call Lure at 250- 360-5873 for reservations.
Canadian Chefs’ Congress Comes to BC in 2010
The Canadian Chefs’ Congress and The Chefs’ Table Society of BC will be bringing the next sitting of the Congress to BC. On September 11, 2010, chefs, cooks, apprentices and culinary students from across Canada will converge on Providence Farm, in the heart of the beautiful Cowichan Valley, for two days of conversation and deliberation on the state of our water ways, our effect on marine life and what constructive steps our industry can build to help improve the health of our oceans.
2010 Theme: Oceans for Tomorrow
Beginning with the keynote speaker, Dr. David Suzuki, chefs will have the opportunity to learn about our oceans and how they can effect change. A series of seminars and workshops on numerous food and ocean related topics will give the opportunity for delegates to engage one on one with a variety of speakers on the topics of their particular expertise. Workshops and seminars are designed to provoke thought and conversation. Representatives from a wide variety of sustainable fisheries will be on hand to provide information on how to get high quality sustainably harvested seafood onto menus, what to look for, and the questions to be asking. There will also be a variety of local suppliers, producers, and farmers displaying unique product and demonstrating responsible stewardship of valuable renewable resources.
Delegates will have the opportunity to sample Canadian inspired dishes from leading provincial and territorial chefs from across the country as well as enjoy the bounty of British Columbia as chefs from around the province present the very best we have to offer. The weekend will be a series of unique tastes and experiences as chefs mingle with fellow chefs, sipping BC wine or trying our ales, beers, ciders, and mead.
The Congress is open to chefs, cooks, apprentices, culinary students and teachers from across Canada. Group bookings over 10 people get 10% off the standard delegate price. Space is limited. The first 200 registrants are invited to the exclusive whole roasted pork media dinner on Friday, September 10, 2010. The heritage hogs will be specifically raised and fed for the event and the meal will be prepared by members of the Chefs’ Table Society of BC. For further information please visit
About The Canadian Chefs’ Congress:
The Canadian Chefs’ Congress connects chefs to our land in solidarity with farmers, fishers, gardeners, foragers and artisanal food producers. This biennial gathering of chefs from across Canada reinforces the passion and integrity of Canadian food culture.
Exceptional Eats! Awards
From the Editor of EAT:
Here at EAT magazine, we’ve decided that just writing articles isn’t enough. We want to give your voice a forum for identifying, recognizing and celebrating what is going on here on Vancouver Island that matters to you.
What excites you about the local food scene? What is it about food that affirms and consistently supports your decision to stay on Vancouver Island? Your voice reinforces a collective commitment to Vancouver Island and informs potential gastronomic developments. That is to say, your bums in seats for eats, unfolded wallet at a farm stand and drool on the counter at the cheese shop sustains Vancouver Island’s culinary culture, keeps it going and keeps it coming. Go team!
And so, we introduce to you the Exceptional Eats! Awards, a celebration of the notables from Victoria to Sointula and Tofino to Salt Spring. We have developed a list of short questions in consultation with a collection of individuals including food journalists, prominent Islanders, farmers, chefs, dedicated foodies and pe ople who just like to eat. Share your voice and vote for the Island’s best. This food-friendly poll is designed to reflect and respect what is significant and intriguing in our culinary culture. This is not about the biggest stack o’ pancakes or the best place to get a date. Get real. This is about food. This is about the real food and drink and the people who make it happen.
Please vote by filling out the survey. The Exceptional Eats! Awards can reflect the tastes and priorities of this community only if the community participates. It is time for Vancouver Island to share its voice in acknowledgment and gratitude. The Exceptional Eats! Awards will be an annual event, celebrating the bar, and raising it. It is time for our own awards, for ourselves, the industry, for visitors and for the love of the food.
By voting, you will become eligible to win one of the prizes generously donated by our sponsors. The winners will be announced in the March/April 2010 issue of EAT along with the results of the survey. By recognizing excellence, we are giving a big round of applause to all the chefs, servers, brewers, farmers and vintners and more who together make this Island such an exceptional place to eat and drink.
To vote, CLICK HERE
Voting ends Feb 01, 2010.
Both name and email address is required to be entered in the draw.
Please note: You will only be able to take the survey once per computer.
The Prizes:
• A Luxury Weekend at the Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria donated by the Empress (www.fairmont.com/empress) and EAT Magazine.
• The Mocca Master Thermal Brewer – The World’s Best Coffee Maker donated by www.CoffeeCrew.com
• Dinner For Two at Deerholme Farm donated by Deerholme Farm (www.magnorth.bc.ca) and www.VancouverIslandLocalFood.com
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