Media Releases

For Immediate Release:
April 26, 2019

Suggested Tweet: Congrats @TinhornCreek & @MiradoroResto awarded Best #BCVQA Wine Pairing at @WineBCdotcom 15th annual #ChefmeetsBCGrape

Vancouver, BC – On April 18, BC wineries and top chefs competed at the 15th annual Chef Meets BC Grape event, Western Canada’s largest tasting of BC VQA Wine and food, to win three coveted awards: Best BC VQA Wine Pairing, Best Dish and Consumer’s Choice awards.

Hosted by the BC Wine Institute in support of the BC Hospitality Foundation, the sold-out Chef Meets BC Grape event returned to the Vancouver Convention Centre welcoming 550 guests to taste and enjoy newly released BC VQA wines from 94 BC wineries and creative dishes prepared and served by 16 of BC’s top restaurants.

The 2019 Chef Meets BC Grape winner for Best BC VQA Wine Pairing is Chef Jeff Van Geest of Miradoro Restaurant for his Oxtail Arancini dish paired with Tinhorn Creek Vineyards Merlot 2016 BC VQA from the Okanagan Valley, BC.

Mijune Pak, a judge on Food Network’s Top Chef Canada and Iron Chef Canada, served as the evenings’ emcee for the third consecutive year. Pak judged alongside a panel of four expert wine and food critics as they tasted and scored the 16 dishes and BC VQA wine pairings.

“It’s a good sign when the judges are arguing over who should win,” said Pak. “The competition was tight this year, and the standard of dishes and wine pairings showcasing beautiful BC was nothing but impressive.”

“The level of competition was intense this year,” noted Sean Nelson, sommelier and judge. “You could see the attention that went into so many of the pairings. Chef Van Geest from Miradoro Restaurant is just so comfortable working with the wine of Tinhorn Creek Vineyards and it showed in that pairing.”

Best Dish was awarded to Chef Stacy Johnston of Ocean Wise for her BC Salmon Tartar paired with Harper’s Trail Estate Winery Rosé 2018 BC VQA from the Thompson Valley, BC.

As well as indulging in amazing wine and food, guests voted on their favourite wine pairing dish awarding the Consumer’s Choice to Chef Wesley Young of Pidgin Restaurant for their Sautéed Local Morels and Cultivated Mushrooms dish paired with Ex Nihilo Merlot 2016 BC VQA from the Okanagan Valley, BC.

“We are really proud that 15 years later, BC wineries, restaurants and wine lovers are still excited to be a part of this premium event in showcasing and experiencing the best of BC wine and food,” says Miles Prodan, President and CEO of the British Columbia Wine Institute. “This event supports a great organization, with proceeds going to the BC Hospitality Foundation and it is an excellent opportunity for us to bring BC Wine Country to the city.”

16 Competing Restaurant dishes and BC VQA Wine pairings:

ACORN: KLIPPERS ORGANICS LATE SUMMER HEIRLOOM TOMATO TUILLE
BC VQA Wine Pairing: Phantom Creek Estates Riesling 2017

ANCORA: QUALICUM BAY SCALLOP “HOT DOG”
BC VQA Wine Pairing: Le Vieux Pin Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2018

BAUHAUS: CHICKEN LIVER MOUSSE
BC VQA Wine Pairing: Clos du Soleil Winery Signature 2014

BOULEVARD: SLOW COOKED HALIBUT
BC VQA Wine Pairing: Painted Rock Estate Winery Merlot 2014

FABLE: 3 CHEESE AGNOLOTTI
BC VQA Wine Pairing: Stag’s Hollow Winery Albariño 2018

FORAGE: TURTLE VALLEY BISON SPRING ROLL
BC VQA Wine Pairing: TIME Winery Red Meritage 2016

MIRADORO @ TINHORN CREEK: OXTAIL ARANCINI
BC VQA Wine Pairing: Tinhorn Creek Vineyards Merlot 2016

NOTCH 8: NOSE-TO-TAIL GNOCCHI
BC VQA Wine Pairing: Quails’ Gate Winery Pinot Noir 2016

OCEAN WISE: BC SALMON TARTARE
BC VQA Wine Pairing: Harper’s Trail Estate Winery Rosé 2018

PIDGIN: SAUTÉED LOCAL MORELS AND CULTIVATED MUSHROOMS
BC VQA Wine Pairing: Ex Nihilo Vineyards Merlot 2016

P2B – PINNACLE HOTEL: SPICED WILD BOAR SAUSAGE
BC VQA Wine Pairing: Sage Hills Organic Vineyard & Winery Syrah 2015

SAVOURY CHEF: FRASER VALLEY PORK CROQUETTES
BC VQA Wine Pairing: Dirty Laundry Vineyards Riesling 2017

THE VICTOR: UNI TACO
BC VQA Wine Pairing: Gray Monk Estate Winery Pinot Gris 2017

TORAFUKU: “FOOT LOOSE” – CONFIT 5 SPICE DUCK LEG
BC VQA Wine Pairing: Burrowing Owl Estate Winery Merlot 2016

VANCOUVER CLUB: WILD BC SALMON
BC VQA Wine Pairing: Poplar Grove Winery Pinot Gris 2018

VIAGGIO HOSPITALITY: ROASTED BEETS
BC VQA Wine Pairing: Haywire Canyonview Pinot Noir 2014

WILDEBEEST: FRENCH COUNTRY PÂTÉ
BC VQA Wine Pairing: JoieFarm Winery Reserve Pinot Noir 2016

2019 Chef Meets BC Grape Vancouver Judges:
Mijune Pak, Top Chef Canada and Iron Chef Canada judge
Tim Pawsey, Hiredbelly.ca
Rhys Pender, Master of Wine
Sean Nelson, Advanced Sommelier
Joanne Sasvari, Wine Writer & Cookbook Author

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Editors: Image gallery is linked for your consideration with the following cutline,

Chef Meets BC Grape 2019 – BC Wine Institute’s 15th annual Chef Meets BC Grape Vancouver

About British Columbia Wine Institute:

Since 1990, the BC Wine Institute 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 exceptional wine tourism experiences. The BC Wine Institute markets the wine and regions of BC; delivers quality trade, media and consumer tastings; and acts as the voice of BC’s wine industry by advocating to government on behalf of industry that contributes $2.8 billion in provincial economic growth annually.

The BC Wine Institute represents all wineries in British Columbia to grow the premium market share for the Wines of British Columbia, while driving awareness of our world-class wines and tourism product – currently drawing 1,000,000 visitors with $600 million in tourism and tourism employment related economic impact every year. For more information about BC Wine Institute’s programs and services, please visit: WineBC.com.

For details on BC VQA Wine and the Wines of British Columbia, go to WineBC.com, like the Wines of British Columbia Facebook page and follow @WineBCdotcom on Twitter.