ChefmeetsBCGrape Raises more than $2,100 for Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise Program
The eighth annual ChefmeetsBCGrape event, held September 20 in Vancouver, raised more than $2,100 for the Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise Program, a national sustainable seafood program that identifies ocean-friendly consumer choices from coast to coast. The largest annual celebration of the Wines of British Columbia and local food in Vancouver, ChefmeetsBCGrape showcased 75 BC wineries and 13 top Ocean Wise partner restaurants to a crowd of 500 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
“ChefmeetsBCGrape is a great chance to showcase local producers,” says British Columbia Wine Institute Executive Director Miles Prodan. “The Wines of British Columbia give a true expression of their unique location. We are proud to work with Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise program and their partner restaurants to help promote sustainable seafood choices and encourage the practice of sipping local and eating local.”
Ten of the thirteen participating restaurants featured sustainable seafood in their ChefmeetsBCGrape dishes, including winner Raincity Grill, who prepared seared Qualicum Bay scallops, Chilliwack corn succotash, and sapo bravo peppers, paired with Stag’s Hollow 2010 Viognier. Judges Neal McLennan, Stephen Wong, Judith Lane and Master of Wine Rhys Pender remarked on the use of the local ingredients in the winning dish, showing a great reflection of the season with excellent balance. Second place winner The Oakwood Canadian Bistro presented smoked honey glazed pork belly and fried octopus, apple goat’s cheese purée, lemon zest and arugula to the judges, with Laughing Stock Vineyards 2011 Blind Trust White. The third place spot went to Le Gavroche, whose smoked bacon-rolled free range chicken galantine was joined by Cassini Cellars 2009 Collector’s Series Cabernet Franc.
Members of the BC Shellfish Grower’s Association were also on hand to delight the crowd with fresh raw oysters at the critics’ choice raw bar, paired with BC VQA sparkling wines.For more information about the eighth annual ChefmeetsBCGrape, visit www.winebc.com.
For updates about the BC Wine Institute, follow @winebcdotcom and #BCwine on Twitter.
For further information:
Kate Crothers
Communications Coordinator
tel. 250-762-9744 ext. 103
cell. 250-317-8688
British Columbia Wine Institute
Suite 107 – 1726 Dolphin Avenue
Kelowna, B.C. V1Y 9R9
twitter.com/winebcdotcom
phone. 250-762-9744
toll free. 1-800-661-2294
fax. 250-762-9788
About the BC Wine Institute (BCWI)
Since 1990, the BCWI has played a pivotal role in taking BC’s wine industry from a vision to an internationally recognized niche region producing premium wines and providing quality wine tourism experiences.
Representing 129 member wineries throughout the province, the BCWI supports and markets the Wines of British Columbia (BC VQA), which gives consumers assurance they are buying a wine that is 100% from BC. The BCWI also markets the Wine Regions of British Columbia; delivers quality trade, media and consumer tastings; and acts as the voice of BC’s wine industry by advocating to government on behalf of its members.
About Ocean Wise™
The Ocean Wise symbol next to a menu or seafood item is the Vancouver Aquarium’s assurance of an ocean-friendly seafood choice. With over 3,100 Ocean Wise partner locations across Canada, Ocean Wise makes it easy for consumers to make sustainable seafood choices that ensure the health of our oceans for generations to come. Learn more at www.oceanwise.ca.
