A CANCER SOCIETY FUNDRAISER …

It was a lovely spring evening for two historic events a few weeks ago. It was the first time that the much-anticipated Daffodil Ball had ever been held outside of Vancouver and the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. It was the 23rd annual ball!

Joy II / Daffodil co-chairs Meghan Brown left Jennifer Traub right.JPG

The Canadian Cancer Society was raising money for the new Young Adults Cancer Fund. Almost every hour in Canada a young adult is diagnosed with the big C and lives between the gap of pediatric and older adult cancer services. This group has unique and varied needs that have been unmet by today’s health system until now.

This was the focus of this year’s Daffodil Ball held at North Vancouver’s Polygon Gallery.

CTV news anchor Mi-Jung Lee welcomed the 200 guests who included the Cancer Society’s chief executive officer Andrea Seale, president and CEO of the evening’s sponsor Wheaton Precious Metals, Randy Smallwood and his date Laurie Schultz, and the two gala committee co-chairs, Jennifer Traub and Meghan Brown and Meghan’s best fellow Richard Coglon. Special attendees were young adult cancer survivor and guest speaker, Tina Schomburg and very special musical guest who is also a cancer survivor, popular Bif Naked. Her hit song Lucky was such an appropriate choice.

Also on hand, looking hale and hearty, were former jurist and distinguished author, John Deathe and his wife, Lane. John, whose new book, Laundering The Dragon, is garnering rave notices in the financial and security world, both here and in Asia. Just wait ‘til the Cullen Inquiry results are made public!

It was a meaningful event that raised more than $1 million, along with the hopes and dreams of the young cancer patients, giving them the opportunity to re-imagine their future …

Hy’s CEO Neil Aisenstat and COO Megan Buckley at tribute to the late John Aisenstat.

A CULINARY SCHOLARSHIP …

Wonderful turnout as Hy’s of Canada hosted a fundraiser at Hy’s Steakhouse and Bar to benefit the John Aisenstat Memorial Scholarship on Cinco de Mayo, the 5th of May.

The occasion was to honour the late youngest son of restaurant founder, Hy Aisenstat. After John’s passing in 2018, brother Neil Aisenstat, Hy’s chief executive officer and Megan Buckley, the firm’s chief operating officer, established the scholarship which is awarded annually to a student of the culinary or hospitality arts at Vancouver Community College.

Megan recalled that John was a consummate restaurateur whose approach to life was defined by humility, and generosity and that he would be so proud of this scholarship and the spirit of investing in the future of the industry.

Condrea Fung and Kate Williams sipping tequila at Hy’s.

Neil Aisenstat paid tribute to his brother in a short but quite moving speech and then the Cinco de Mayo atmosphere kicked in and the fun began.

Some of those joining in the applause included Hy’s vice president of projects and development Angus Macdonald, CTV’s early morning anchor, Jason Pires, the lovely Dorothy Budden, Style Brands’ David Black who loved the tequila cocktails, Kate Williams, the widow of the late, great Jurgen Gothe, media’s Condrea Fung, publicist Michelle Lan, Colin Metcalfe and wife Chris, Wendy and Mel Zajac, Ann Marie and her husband Peter Kains who were on their way to the continent to visit friends before returning home and then off on a relaxing vacation in Palm Springs.

Manager Dennis Lansigan and assistant GM Tim Butt were kept hopping all night with the tasty nosh selection and tequila specials.

Hard to believe but the scoop is that Hy’s Steakhouse will celebrate its 60th anniversary in September. Watch for a big blow out …

The West End Journal’s Joy Metcalfe with food and beverage columnist Tim Pawsey.

THE RETURN OF THE WINE FEST …

Vancouver International Wine Festival kicked off with its 43rd media launch at Joey’s on Burrard with a crowd that included such knowledgeable wine gurus as Tim Pawsey, Sid Cross, Christine Campbell of Girls Go Grape. Also joining in the fun were Cheap and Cheerful wine columnist Ron Wilson, Les Dames d'Escoffier’s Cassandra Anderton, author and chef, Kasey Wilson, and journalist Peter Roundhill.

Hosting the event and welcoming the crowd were Vancouver International Wine Festival’s executive director Harry Hertscheg, Bard on the Beaches’ Christopher Gaze and Jason Yamasaki, Joey’s top sommelier.

This was the 43rd festival to remind guests of the lure and longevity of the fruit of the vine, along with the introduction of several new wineries taking part in the festival for the very first time. Terrific selection of wines with the Galerin Barbera d’ Asti, Tormaresca Calafuria and Monte Creek Chardonnay, stars of the evening’s tastings.

The gala Bacchanalia Wine Dinner took place the following evening in the ballroom of the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver after a two year hiatus due to COVID.

Award-winning master winemaker Howard Soon and Christa-Lee McWatters at the Bacchanalia gala

The beneficiary of this undertaking is Christopher Gaze’s wildly successful Bard on the Beach productions which will launch its 33rd season on June 8 with Shakespeare’s comic masterpiece, Midsummer’s Night’s Dream, with productions running through Sept. 24.

Christopher and his delightful wife Jennifer, elegant in long gold and black, had just returned from a visit home to England the day before but were in fine form, happily chatting with the 220 black tie guests.

I know gentlemen complain about getting into a snazzy tux, but they have no idea the effect the tuxedo makes on the onlookers, especially the fairer sex. It makes you look slimmer, more intelligent and rich!

I must say, the ladies, as always, looked gorgeous in long glamorous gowns in bright pastels, sparkly sequins, swirling sheers and were so happy to be once again the belles of the ball. As were Chris Gailus’ wife Jane and her sister, Amanda, two elegant blondes in sleek black. Chris, top anchor at Global TV was the evening’s emcee, with a little help from the town’s best known auctioneer, Howard Blank, who kept the action going.

Howard really reads his audience well!

Other guests included Joan Cross and her wine savvy husband Sid, former Vancouver city mover and shaker, Larry Beasley, the talented public relations veteran Marlee Oden in sheer flowered silk, and the much-lauded and award-winning Howard Soon and the lovely Christa-Lee McWatters whose dad, the legendary Harry McWatters, generated all the attention to wine and the wine growing properties of B.C. eons ago. Harry was the proud father of the BC wine industry… Just a lovely man.

Between the dozens of wine dinners, seminars and tasting sessions, as well as the gala Bacchanalia dinner, communication and marketing manager for the VIWF Meredith Elliott should be a very tired but very happy individual …

White Spot executive chef James Kennedy.

A NEW CONCEPT FROM WHITE SPOT …

Speaking of food, the White Spot, B.C.’s most iconic restaurant company, has launched their newest concept in dining at R+D Kitchens in the ‘Amazing Brentwood.’

R+D is taking “fresh” to a completely new level, collaborating with the community of chefs, farmers, growers and brewers, to local ingredients and new dishes and drinks.

Considering that it was a brand new idea in the updated Brentwood Shopping Mall, I was truly expecting colourful balloons, music, red carpet and the Mayor of Burnaby in all his finery wielding those all important scissors to officially cut the red satin ribbon and welcome the huge crowd.

Well, if he had been there, he would have been stampeded by the horde of hungry young people guesting at the official opening, who couldn’t get to the food fast enough!

White Spot CEO Warren Erhart, VP Cathy Tostenson and executive chef James Kennedy looked on happily as the new menu items were grabbed and enjoyed up as soon as they arrived from the kitchen. Looks like they have a winner …

FROM MY NOTEBOOK …

MAN IN MOTION … Hearty kudos to Rick Hansen and his remarkable team who are celebrating the 35th anniversary of Rick’s Man In Motion tour around the world. He’d been inspired by a dream to create an accessible and inclusive world for people with disabilities. It took two years, two days and two months to accomplish this remarkable feat. And he’s still hard at it. Every time I see the dip in the sidewalk for prams, kids’ trikes and elders’ walkers, I think of Rick and give a prayer of thanksgiving …

SUMMER NIGHTS … Don’t forget Zajac Summer Nights at the Terminal City Club June 4 with money raised going to the Mel and Marty Zajac Foundation, which benefits the Zajac Ranch for Children.

’Til next time … cheers!