Category Archives: Events

Seattle chocolate extravaganza

Posted on May 12, 2011 | 1 Comment

It’s a tough life, this chocolate gig. This weekend, I’m off to Seattle to judge not one, but two, chocolate contests.

Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon
Taking place from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, the Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon features a selection of chocolate bars and confections from (mostly) the Pacific Northwest. This event used to be in July, so I’m glad to see it moved to a more sensible time of year. I think it paid off for the organizers, because this event is sold out!

This will be my second year judging, and I’m looking forward to learning more about new-to-me companies. I’m also pleased to be leading a chocolate-tasting workshop at 3:30 p.m. If you’re attending, please say hi!

The Chocolopolis Serious Chocolate Contest
I’m a huge fan of Chocolopolis; in fact, it’s often the first place I stop when I’m Seattle. On Sunday, May 15, they’re hosting the Serious Chocolate Contest, which challenges arm-chair pastry chefs and chocolate bakers (their words, not mine—though I’m happy to borrow) to use bean-to-bar chocolate in creative ways.

The deadline for applications is 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 14. Apply now!

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Raincity Chronicles: Recipe For…

Posted on May 5, 2011 | 2 Comments

For the uninitiated, RainCity Chronicles is a regular gathering of awesome people who tell and listen to stories. It’s an entertaining and often touching look at topics you might not otherwise consider, told from perspectives you didn’t know existed.

This month’s event is called Recipe For… and it will go something like this: take one part storytelling, one part super-duper Vancouver people, one part cool venue, and you have a recipe for success. (Oh, I did not just do that. Wait. Yes, I did.)

I’m excited and terrified to be speaking at Raincity Chronicles next week. Won’t you come and watch me make an ass of myself? I don’t promise to talk about my famous Eating Pants (yes, they really do exist) but I promise that it will be fun. Besides, fellow Foodist Mark Busse and the always-lovely Annika Reinhardt will also be speaking. Put the three of us in a room, and at least one of us is good for a laugh.

Details:
Wednesday, May 11
Firehall Arts Centre
Doors 7:00 p.m., show 7:30 p.m.
Tickets $10 advance, $12 at the door
More information
Buy tickets here

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Chocolate-tasting class at Kafka’s Coffee and Tea

Posted on April 14, 2011 | Leave a comment

Chocolate 201Spring has sprung! It means spring cleaning, gardening and maybe (please, pretty please?) the opportunity to trade our winter coats for lighter jackets. We can only hope.

For chocolatiers, this is a hectic time of making chocolate-shaped bunnies, eggs and chicks. And for me, it means it’s time to get out from behind my little desk and teach a class or two.

Chocolate tasting at Kafka’s Coffee & Tea

Once again, I’ll be teaching at Kafka’s Coffee & Tea. Learn about where chocolate comes from, how it’s made, and the wacky personalities behind the products. For those who haven’t taken a chocolate-tasting class before, this is a great introduction to the world of fine chocolate. And if you’ve already attended one of my classes, you’ll know that one of the best ways to improve your palate is to practice. Lots.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011
7:30-8:30 p.m.
Kafka’s Coffee & Tea (2525 Main Street, Vancouver)
$15 plus HST and service fees.

Purchase tickets in advance: http://chocolate-tasting.eventbrite.com/

The last session sold out, so don’t dawdle!

Here’s what people have said about previous sessions:

“[I] enjoyed learning about the background information on chocolate making and chocolatiers! I’ll be more discerning and appreciative of chocolate now that I am better informed.”

“I thoroughly enjoyed the event – hard to say anything bad about an event where you get to taste chocolate! I especially enjoyed the anecdotes about all the various chocolate manufacturers – it is great to know a thing or two about the way your food is made and the people who make it.”

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Dining Out for Life: Thursday, March 24

Posted on March 2, 2011 | 2 Comments

Dining Out for LifeI don’t know about you, but I have a tough time making decisions. I spend most of my day herding cats and correcting other people’s grammar, and when dinnertime rolls around, the last thing I want to do is make a decision. Cook dinner or eat out? Wine? Which one?

Well, thanks to Dining Out for Life, on Thursday, March 24, it’ll be a no-brainer.

Dining Out for Life (not to be confused with the very similarly named Dine Out Vancouver) is an annual fundraiser that benefits two local agencies who support people living with HIV/AIDS. One is A Loving Spoonful, an organization that I have volunteered with for the past three years, and the other is Friends for Life. A Loving Spoonful provides food for individuals and families who are living with HIV/AIDS, so that they don’t have to choose between food and medication. And Friends for Life provides alternative therapies—for example yoga, massage therapy, acupuncture—for those living with terminal illnesses. Both create community for a group of people who are otherwise marginalized and isolated.
Dining Out for Life

On March 24, it’s easy to help. Dine at one of the participating restaurants (more than 230 of them!) and 25% of your food bill will go directly to A Loving Spoonful and Friends for Life. Even better, during the entire month of March, Sumac Ridge Estate Winery will donate $1 from each bottle of wine.

So I know what I’ll be doing on Thursday, March 24: dining out at a participating restaurant, and drinking Sumac Ridge wine. Giving has never been easier.

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Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival

Posted on January 19, 2011 | Leave a comment

I’m back and nearly recovered from a crazy weekend in San Francisco. The good kind of crazy, though. Like eating Meyer lemon sorbet from Scream Sorbet while basking in the sun. Without wearing my winter coat. In January. Southern California, you’re so weird and wonderful.

While I was there, I also had the fortune of attending the Good Food Awards and the Fancy Food Show. Talk about a great food weekend.

Back in Vancouver, I’m keeping cozy with sweaters and mittens. And, just in time to tide you through the rainy drizzle, there’s the first annual Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival. Included in the list of participating places are two of my favourite spots, Chocolaterie de la Nouvelle France and Thomas Haas Chocolates, plus new upstart Campagnolo Caffe and everyone’s favourite gelato place Bella Gelateria.

The festival runs from January 15 to February 13, and each participant is donating a portion of their proceeds to charity. How’s that for a win-win situation?

Read more about the event from CityFood Magazine or check out the event calendar.

Participating businesses:

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