JOY'S JOURNAL

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by Joy Metcalfe
(click on each photo to follow slide show)

Executive Chef Roger Ma at Boulevard Restaurant. (no slide show)

MICHELIN ON THE ROAD …

Sutton Place Hotel’s award-winning Boulevard Restaurant and Oyster Bar was the scene of great excitement as they welcomed the prestigious team of Michelin on the Road which brings together the greatest chefs in the world to combine their various talents. Boulevard’s executive chef Roger Ma was delighted to have his former colleague, Melissa Rodriguez, chef/partner in New York City’s and Michelin-starred Del Posto Restaurant. She has been a model and mentor to so many young culinarians who value her wisdom and advice.

The evening began with a canapé and cocktail reception followed by a six-course collaborative menu featuring fresh local ingredients. The two chefs had worked together at Daniel Boulud’s famed Boulud’s in New York.

Ma went on to become executive chef at Boulevard and lead his Boulevard and Oyster Bar team to Gold Medals for Best Hotel Dining, Best Seafood, Best Dessert and Best Upscale in Vancouver magazine and Where magazine and stands as No. 31 on Canada’s Best 100 Restaurants. The $225 dinner was sold out instantly.

Spotted among the happy diners were Mijune Pak, food critic and Top Chef Canada judge, CBC’s Lien Yeung and B.C.’s celebrated chef, Bruno Marti.

A SAD FAREWELL …

The sad news that Judith Lane, a talented journalist working for a number of publications including The Georgia Straight, passed away this past spring,  found a number of her friends and work-mates in shock. No one seemed to know that she was ill. Unbeknownst to them, she had been suffering with cancer for some months and only her love Tom McCurdy, Dorothy Budden and Tim Pawsey knew. They were such close friends that she trusted them to keep her secret. Her other secret was that she and Tim were wed in a simple ceremony in her hospital room, thus fulfilling her dearest wish to become Mrs. Judith McCurdy Lane.

Tim and Dorothy spearheaded her Celebration of Life at the Vancouver Lawn and Tennis Club a couple of weeks ago. Judith was so loved and admired that you couldn’t have squeezed another person into that packed ballroom...

Great to see longtime hotel and hospitality veteran, Karen Van Schie, at the do. Karen is the General Manager of the Vancouver Lawn and Tennis Club.

CELEBRATING THE FOURTH OF JULY …

Very pleasant soiree to celebrate the American Fourth of July last week with more than 200 dressy guests being welcomed by the U.S. Consul General Katherine Dhanani, including: Ramona and Jess Ketchum who had just returned from a lengthy holiday in Scotland and Iceland; Vancouver Police Department’s Number One man Adam Palmer looking hale and hardy; B.C. Minister Bruce Ralston and Success Foundation’s Winnie Choo. Also on hand were U.S. Vice Consuls Morgan Cassell and Alejandra Baez along with public affairs advisor Glenda Ainsworth. Adding to the afternoon’s enjoyment were Choir Leoni  (they did a fantastic version of O Canada and The Star Spangled Banner) and Kris Jay’s tuneful trio. I’m so happy when everyone sings our National Anthem loudly and proudly.

It doesn’t happen very often because people forget the words!

A BIRTHDAY AT THE TEAHOUSE …

 Still with culinary delights, to celebrate my birthday (I’m a Moon Child), we dined at the charming and aesthetically-pleasing Teahouse Restaurant in Stanley Park. There has been a galaxy of celebrities dining there over the years including Sean Connery, Mitzi Gaynor and Bob Hope.

The setting is incomparable, the corner seating ideal and with our server, Mark, in attendance, the dinner was memorable.

You could never duplicate this pretty dining spot, it is so unique. Just as its owner, Brent Davies, president of the Sequoia Group of Restaurants, is a very unique individual. He has always eschewed the limelight, preferring his restaurant creations to speak for themselves. There’s the Sandbar Seafood Restaurant on Granville Island, Seasons in the Park in Queen Elizabeth Park, Cardero’s in Coal Harbour and the legendary Teahouse which Brent acquired in 1978.

Proving again Brent’s reticence in self-promotion, a couple of years ago he was inducted into the highly-regarded B.C. Restaurant Hall of Fame. And who accepted that award? His executive chef, Annabelle Leslie. Seems he’s more elusive than the very elusive Scarlet Pimperne!.

REMEMBERING JOHN PLUL …

Despite the fact that I felt quite conflicted in my heart about planning any sort of party for the late CKNW vice president John Plul who did not want one, the very persuasive Raymond Greenwood pulled it off. About 50 old time friends like John McKittrick, Ted Smith, Mel Cooper, George Garrett and Arthur Griffiths came by to share some very funny stories.

Also chiming in were Mary Parsons, Peter Armstrong, Murray Atherton, Tom Plasteras, Shirley Stocker, Shell Busey, Linda Cullen, Jeff Venot, Gale Honey, Val Vrlak, Sue Daugilis and Diane Neufeld, along with Bunny and Lee McKay. It was quite the afternoon.

CLOSING NOTES …

My spies report spotting someone who is definitely not shy or elusive relaxing in his new black chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce Phantom. Busy businessman, Chip Wilson, looked quite content ...

The attractive Doreen Braverman, widow of Jack, has sold her beautiful home and moved over to the luxurious surroundings of Tapestry...

My deepest condolences go out to Carol Smolen on the death of her husband Paul Smolen who, together, created the beautiful Hart House Restaurant in Burnaby.  They were a hard-working couple whose generosity knew no bounds. Also very sad to learn that the fellow who did more for wine growing in this province than any other, The Grandfather of B.C. wines, Harry McWatters, has passed away. Harry was a big warm-hearted bundle of hospitality and lovability. My prayers go out to daughter Christa-Lee and the rest of his family...

Great timing to have India’s High Commissioner in town to watch the launch of the annual pyrotechnics extravaganza, Celebration of Lights, light up the night sky. It just happened to be India’s night to shine and the Commish, Vikas Swarup, who also happens to be the author the novel Q & A, on which the Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire was based, couldn’t have been happier, especially after dining on Vikram Vij’s culinary delights. And our very best wishes go out to Matthew Greenwood and the lovely Sarah Hornett who will be wed August 3 by marriage commissionaire Kelly Yip on the last night of the fireworks. A grand gala gala do!

And Happy August to the ever-smiling Mori, head porter at the Hyatt who is celebrating 45 years at that top rated hotel!

Cheers!