KAILA’S BACK
MASTERCHEF CONTESTANT OPENING RESTAURANT
Kelowna’s Kaila Klassen first shot to local fame when when she appeared on 15 episodes of CTV reality cooking show MasterChef Canada.
She was a fierce competitor, proved to be an excellent cook and garnered attention for her blonde good looks. She finished third. But her time in the limelight was not over.
She quickly announced she would open a restaurant in downtown Kelowna on Leon Avenue called Krafty Kitchen+ Bar.
Her partner in the venture was none other than her new boyfriend, Calgary celebrity chef Chris Shaften, who gained his own fame as a contestant on another reality TV cooking show, Top Chef Canada.
However, the partnership, both business and romantic, soon went sour and Klassen and Shaften went their separate ways.
Shaften stuck with Krafty Kitchen+Bar and opened it last month to lineups and rave reviews.
You know how Kelowna loves a new restaurant, especially when it’s good and focuses on local fare and wine.
Klassen’s answer is Corx+ Brix Bistro at Bonitas Winery in Summerland. It opens tomorrow. The name is a nod to its winery location and spelling corks with an x to match the x in brix, which is a measurement of sugar in grapes used to make wine.
“I have decided to open up another restaurant where I am completely in charge with all creative aspects, so it is and will forever be my vision,” said Klassen.
The 70-seat bistro features a large patio and views of Okanagan Lake.
The food is promised to be fresh, delicious and approachable and will unite with the wine.
Klassen is being helped by chef Brian Long.
Corx+Brix is billing itself as a destination for a quick business or leisurely lunch or a memorable dinner.
The resto is opening just in time for the Fall Okanagan Wine Festival and will have some fest menus and special events.
Check out corxandbrix.com.
Small-and-medium-sized wineries are getting more representation on the bigger and better B. C. Wine Institute board.
In response to the B. C. Liquor Policy Review, which allows for increased promotion and serving of VQA (Vintners Quality Alliance) wines, the institute has enlarged its board to nine voting members from seven.
The two extra board members will be a representative from a small winery and another from a medium-sized winery.
Recent elections saw Ezra Cipes, from Summerhill Pyramid Winery in Kelowna, Duncan McCowan, from Hillside Winery in Naramata, and Shaun Everest, from Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, voted in as medium-sized winery allies.
Christina Ferreira, from Oliver’s Squeezed Wines, Spencer Massie from Clos du Soleil in Keremeos, and Bill Eggert, from Fairview Cellars in Oliver, are in as small winery representatives.
Large wineries have three voting representatives: Josie Tyabji from Constellation Brands (Jackson- Triggs, Inniskillin, See Ya Later Ranch, Sumac Ridge and Osoyoos Larose); Greg Berti from Andrew Peller Estates (Calona, Sandhill, Peller, Wayne Greyzky and Red Rooster) and David Wilson from Mission Hill and CedarCreek.
Tyabji will continue on as board chair and Everest is vice-chair.
The board is rounded out by non-voting member, Miles Prodan, the CEO of the institute, and grape growers representative, who hasn’t been named yet.
XS Cargo closing
Discount retailer, XS Cargo, which has a store in Kelowna on Dilworth Drive, is closing all its 50 stores across Canada.
The chain, which is already under bankruptcy protection, says cut-throat competition from Walmart and Target is the reason.
Stores will close after the liquidation sales that are on now.