ChefmeetsBCGrape Raises $40,000 for Arts Club Theatre Company
June 14, 2013 (Kelowna, BC) The ninth annual ChefmeetsBCGrape event, held June 5 in Vancouver, raised $40,000 for the Arts Club Theatre, the biggest not-for-profit organization of its kind in Western Canada. The largest annual celebration of the Wines of British Columbia and local food in Vancouver, ChefmeetsBCGrape showcased 95 BC wineries pouring more than 375 BC VQA wines, and 15 top restaurants to a crowd of more than 500 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
“The Wines of British Columbia offer a real taste of terroir, and ChefmeetsBCGrape is an excellent opportunity to feature local BC VQA wine and food producers,” says British Columbia Wine Institute Executive Director Miles Prodan. “We are excited with our Arts Club partnership to support local theatre, paired with local BC VQA wines and cuisine.”
Howard R. Jang, Executive Director at the Arts Club expressed his thanks to all supporters, “We are thrilled with the success of the event and our new partnership with BCWI promoting our province’s thriving wine and food industries. This is our signature special event and the proceeds raised will benefit our vital youth initiatives and community engagement programs as we head into our 50th anniversary season.”
All of the winning restaurants featured local produce in their dishes at ChefmeetsBCGrape, including Best BC VQA Pairing winner ORU, who paired JoieFarm Winery 2012 Rosé with smoked sablefish and village farms tomato. Judges Gloria Macarenko, Tim Pawsey, Sid Cross and Master of Wine Rhys Pender all enjoyed the local ingredients featured in the dishes. Runner up Seasons in the Park showcased Stoneboat Vineyards 2011 Pinot Gris with BC halibut carpaccio with corn, lime, jicama and cilantro. The Vancouver Courier Award for Best BC Dish went to Tableau, whose chefs paired Painted Rock Estate Winery Syrah with mushroom & oxtail croquette and oxtail consommé.
Host Fred Lee and Vancouver Courier publisher Dee Dhaliwal announced the winners, who were presented with hand-crafted decanters from Puddifoot. ChefmeetsBCGrape’s presenting sponsor was BFL Canada Insurance Service, and the Wines of British Columbia was pleased to feature sponsors Vancouver Courier, Holland America Line, Dairy Farmers of Canada, Caffé Artigiano, Daniel le Chocolat Belge, Whistler Water, and Gone Crackers.
For more information about the ninth annual ChefmeetsBCGrape, visit www.winebc.com.
About British Columbia Wine Institute
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 131 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. Find more at www.winebc.com.
About Arts Club Theatre Company
The Arts Club Theatre Company, now in its 49th season, is the largest not-for-profit organization of its kind in Western Canada. Led by Artistic Managing Director Bill Millerd and Executive Director Howard R. Jang, it offers professional theatre at three venues – the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, Granville Island Stage, and Revue Stage-as well as on tour throughout the province.
