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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Review — This is not a paid post. Views are my own. I was a guest of Hastings House for this event. Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
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The first Chefs Across the Water event of the year at Hastings House on Salt Spring Island took place Monday, June 16th with Chef Chris Stewart of Mission Hill Winery.
Chef Stewart arrived on the island from Kelowna to prepare a five course dinner to match wine selections which were decided upon before the menu, which is the opposite of the usual procedure for pairing dinners. In this case it worked splendidly as we began with crisp summer sips and ended the night with a bold Hastings House wine cellar gem, all complimented with Chef Stewart’s fresh and seasonal creations.
As Executive Winery Chef, Chef Stewart oversees Mission Hill‘s entire culinary program; including mentorship for the brigade at the Terrace Restaurant, hosting fine dining events, and designing the curriculum for Mission Hill’s culinary education program. He works hand in hand with local farmers and purveyors who grow organic produce and fruit specifically for the winery kitchens, all of which are complemented by herbs and vegetables from the winery’s organic varietal gardens.
First: Rosé & Garlic Brined Cherries
Paired with: Mission Hill 2013 Five Vineyards Rosé
A plump scallop with fresh peas to add a crisp and creamy element were perfectly paired with the Reserve Riesling, adding aromatic depth to the dish.
Third: Baked Halibut & Roasted Carrot
Paired with: Mission Hill 20132 Martin’s Lane Viognier
I am always a fan of halibut and this portion was baked to perfection, it was succulent as it slipped apart, ready to pair its buttery notes with glossy roasted carrots.
A versatile pork loin can be led in various directions and with this dish it was gently dipped into a pool of rich, earthy flavours with the truffled lentil.
Dessert: Chocolate Savarin & Blackberry Gel
Paired with: Mission Hill Oculus 2007, which our dinner companion from Mark Anthony Brands told us was one of the very best Canadian wines ever produced.
The dessert looked deconstructed but the cake, cream, and chocolate made a single statement. I didn’t get as much of the blackberry gel on my palette but I was too preoccupied with the chocolate and the wine pairing to notice at the time. The Oculus could have been enjoyed on its own, with its opening being its own special occasion, but it was a very classy and luxurious way to cap off the evening.
Following the meal Chef Stewart came out to greet guests and he told us a bit more about his suppliers, including Wise Earth Farm in Kelowna. Generally on Salt Spring Island the answer to “where did you get this ingredient” is usually “just out back in our garden” but it was nice to see Chef Stewart not only use island produce but also introduce us to his favourites around his home base.
It’s always a treat to get away to Salt Spring Island, if even for a quick 24-hour period. The last time I soaked up a Ganges Harbour sunrise was last December at Hastings House. In the winter I took delight in piling wood on the fire in our room as we looked out at twisting arbutus trees pointing the way to the harbour. Now that it’s summer, morning walks on the dew-soaked lawn and photographing fuzzy honeybees loading themselves up in the multicoloured garden blossoms were keys to unwinding.
The next Chefs Across the Water 5-course dinner will be on Monday, September 15, 2014 with Chef Angun An of Maenam Restaurant in Vancouver at Hastings House. You can get to Salt Spring Island via BC Ferries or by taking a quick 35 minute float plane ride. Be sure to make your reservations as soon as possible (call 1-800-661-9255) and plan your dinner getaway to Salt Spring Island.
Surrey Canada Day, one of Western Canada’s largest Canada Day celebrations, returns to Cloverdale to the newly and honourably re-named Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre for a full day of family fun on Tuesday, July 1, 2014. There, on the corner of 176th Street and 64th Avenue, you can enjoy entertainment and activities from 10:00am until 10:30pm, with a fireworks show to cap off the day.
5 Reasons to Attend Surrey Canada Day 2014
Surrey Canada Day is free to attend, you can bring your lawn chair or picnic blanket, camp out with the family all day. To get to the Amphitheatre grounds you can walk, bike, take transit, or drive (parking is free). Once you’re on site, here are a few of my favourite things that you should experience:
1. Music
Chevron Main Stage Lineup
11:00am to 11:25am Matt Henry
11:30am to 12:00pm Norma McKnight
12:15pm to 1:00pm Will Stroet
1:05pm to 1:25pm Vancity Bhangra
1:30pm Cedar Hills Caledonian Pipe Band
1:30pm to 2:00pm Opening Ceremonies with Mayor & Council
2:00pm to 2:10pm DRS Bboy Crew
2:30pm to 3:00pm Halfway To Hollywood
3:30pm to 4:10pm Ray Gibson
4:30pm to 5:10pm Country Divas
5:30pm to 6:10pm Barracuda Heart Tribute Band
6:10pm/7:10pm/8:15pm/10:15pm DJ Flip-Out
6:30pm to 7:10pm Kyprios
7:30pm to 8:30pm Daniel Wesley
9:00pm to 10:15pm Matthew Good
2. Community
Local organizations, non-profits, businesses, and community partners will have tents setup with activities, giveaways, and information. Not only can you get to know your neighbours, you can engage with these exhibitors and learn more about your community while you’re out and about having fun. You can also enter to win a Honda Civic from Surrey Honda!
3. FREE Cupcakes
Arrive in time for the official kick-off with Mayor and Council at 1:30pm as it’s tradition to follow this up with a massive cupcake giveaway.
4. Kettle Corn and Smoothies
Burgers, wraps, cotton candy, kettle corn, smoothies, and much more is served up throughout the day. You can bring cash but there are ATMs on site and some food trucks may accept debit. Whether you enjoy grilled meats, a sugary treat, or a full serving of vegetables, there will be something for you at Surrey Canada Day.
Canada Day parades and Canada Day fireworks celebrations will take place across the region, with various communities celebrating our nation’s birthday with music, activities, and of course a night time display to light up the sky as families look on. In downtown Vancouver, Canada Day at Canada Place will be the centre of attention.
Canada Day Parade and Canada Day Fireworks Vancouver
Canada Day Parade Along Georgia in Downtown Vancouver
What: Canada Day Parade
where: West Georgia and Broughton Streets
When: 7:00pm on July 1, 2014
The 6th Annual Canada Day Parade presented by Port Metro Vancouver starts at the corner of Georgia and Broughton Streets
ends at Burrard and Pender Streets. This free community event features more than 60 dynamic entries and recognizes diversity, multiculturalism, freedom and the special bond that connect all Canadians. Come and celebrate our nation’s birthday at the parade.
Photo courtesy of Latincouver
Carnaval del Sol will also take part in the Canada Day Parade in a traditional-style chiva bus. Watch participants salsa and Zumba on the bus along with Mexican, Peruvian and Salvadorean folkloric dance. This is guaranteed to be the most colourful and lively part of the parade.
Canada Day Fireworks in Coal Harbour
Fireworks in Burrard Inlet will be presented by Coast Capital Savings at 10:30pm on July 1, 2014. This will be a two-barge simultaneous pyrotechnic extravaganza with fireworks going off in Coal Harbour AND at Dundarave in West Vancouver.
For front row seats to the fireworks, with live entertainment and access to indoor bathroom facilities, you can buy tickets to the Hudson’s Bay Fireworks Viewing Zone, located along the Canada Place West Promenade. Purchase your early bird, discounted tickets through Eventbrite for $12*. Tickets will also be available on July 1st for $15 through Eventbrite or on site at the Canada Place Welcome Centre, located on the Canada Place Front Plaza on Canada Place Way. *Kids 5 and under enter for free.
The crack of the bat, the smell of the popcorn, and the boom of the fireworks! This season enjoy baseball from the reigning 3-time (in a row) Northwest League Champions, the Vancouver Canadians, along with added entertainment for young and old with giveaways, promotions, and fireworks nights.
Individual game tickets start at just $12.50. For a full list of giveaways and promotions visit the Vancouver Canadians online and follow along this season Twitter and Facebook. The Vancouver Canadians play at Nat Bailey Stadium (4601 Ontario St), which will host these fireworks nights following games.
Granville Street and Robson Square will be the home base of “food, fun, culture, and fiesta” when Carnaval del Sol takes over July 5th and July 6th as a part of Latin America Week in Vancouver.
Presented by Latincouver, this free arts, culture, and music festival kicks off summer in style with energy and flavour, creating a Latin American plaza in the heart of downtown Vancouver.
Some of the scheduled events include locally and nationally renowned Latin musical artists, folk dance troupes, a marketplace that displays the work of Latin American artisans and games for kids. As soccer is an important activity in Latin America that brings communities together, a traditional multicultural street soccer tournament is another highlight of the Carnaval Del Sol.
Registration for the street soccer tournament at Carnaval del Sol is now open. Join soccer fans and organize a team to play in the “LatinCouver Mini World Cup” where 16 teams will play in a world cup-style event with each team representing a country of the world.
Head over to Robson Square for a dance party, enjoy cuisine from local food trucks, take in the secondary stage entertainment lineup, and check out the work of many local and international artists. Carnaval del Sol will be located along Granville Street, from Nelson to Dunsmuir.
![[182/365] Happy Birthday, Canada!](https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6016/6008009854_4f57c761aa_z.jpg)
