Tasting Room Radio - August 1, 2012

Our focus this week is on Vancouver Island. Specifically The 6th annual BC Shellfish Festival in Comox-Courtenay. And on the iconic Hastings House Salt Spring Island.


Over 200 guests were  treated to a six-course chef designed seafood menu paired with a BC wine. Best of all the festival was held in the oyster growing capital of Canada, near  the Comox Valley. The meal is served outdoors, along the banks of Baynes Sound. This year’s dinner brought in chefs from near and far who all share a passion for preparing sustainably raised shellfish and to offer guests a truly authentic taste of the West Coast.

This year’s lineup includes:
-Mathew Wright – Executive Director
-Ned Bell - Executive Chef, Four Seasons/Yew Restaurant, Vancouver
-Garrett Schack – Vista 18  Victoria  
-Bill Jones - Executive Chef, Deerholme Farm, Cowichan Valley
-Aaron Rail - Executive Chef, Avenue Bistro, Comox
-Ronald St. Pierre - Executive Chef, Locals, Courtenay
-Matt MacDonald - Executive Chef, Berwick, Comox
-Jonathan Frazier – Atlas Café  Courtney
-Tracey Marks – Tria Culinary Studio
-Ray Silvey - Fanny Bay Oysters
-Abel O'Brennan - Coastal Black Estates Courtney
-George Ehrler - Blue Moon Winery Courtney
-James Marinus - Shelter Point Distillery Courtney
-Cindy Holland – Courtney VQA Wine Store  

Everyone above contributes their knowledge of shellfish.
Cooking it, sourcing it, pairing wines with whatever you’re  cooking.

Then we head to Salt Spring Island and the iconic Hastings House located above Ganges Harbour.


It sits there like the a jewel.  Welcoming. One of  the best culinary experiences on the coast. Good for the soul.

Guests include:
Kelly McAree – GM
Marcel Kauer – Exec Chef
And the delightful Millie Sinclair – who runs a stellar wine program.

Awards: Fodors Choice,  Zagat: Top Canadian Resorts", Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, Featured in 1,000 Places to See Before You Die.

Next Week:  The Wickaninnish Inn and the sensational Sobo, Tofino. John Casella, the maker of 14 million cases of Yellow Tail.

Stories we’re working on:
Banfi
David Suzuki
Chappell Hill
Benjamin Bridge
Antonia Mantonakis
Brock University Sir George Fistonich – 50 years at Villa Maria
Matt Sekeres
Hawksworth Launches a house wine with Orofino John Casella –
14 Million cases of Yellow Tail
Joy of Feeding
Chris Wyse – Young and Wyse
Matt Sherlock – Clean Slate
Hayley Hamilton – Dallas Sommelier
River Café – Calgary
Hotel Arts - Calgary