Fred Lee’s social network
TOP TASTY TABLES The trend of charitable long-table dinners has gained popularity over the years. Not only are they Instagram worthy, but they’ve proven to be a great vehicle to showcase our local bounty, culinary talents and spectacular outdoor spaces.
Science World is the latest organization to get in on the summer-dine pastime. In partnership with The Dirty Apron Cooking School, the downtown attraction presented Alfresco, an intimate culinary experience, created by chef David Robertson and his team from the Crosstown cooking academy, featuring three members from Robertson’s cooking camp for kids.
Budding chefs Marcus Teoli, Malia Bulat and Sasha Meshcherekova were front and centre, along with CEO Scott Sampson, greeting guests lucky enough to snap up tickets to the much-anticipated dinner.
Taking in the million-dollar False Creek views, nearly 100 attendees enjoyed an unforgettable fivecourse family style dinner from Science World’s stunning Green Roof Terrace.
Among the culinary works of art receiving high praise: Robertson’s Togarashi Grilled Albacore Tuna, Miso Sake Roasted Sablefish and Guava Braised Short Ribs.
A qualified success, proceeds from the science experiment — estimated to be around $20,000 — will go directly to Science World’s Super Science Club, an after-school club that aims to get inner-city youth in Grades 1 to 7 excited in science and technology. More than 1,000 children from 12 underserved schools participate every year in the science program.
An early pioneer of the al fresco long-table phenomenon and farmto-table sourcing and cooking practices in B.C., Araxi executive chef James Walt and restaurant director Neil Henderson once again led the charge staging their annual long-table Dinner at North Arm Farms in picturesque Pemberton.
The open-air dining event of the summer on the Sea to Sky social calendar, this year’s event — the seventh instalment of B.C.’s most compelling and ambitious al fresco dining experience — was an instant sellout with all 300 seats at the stunning table spoken for.
No severe winds or pop-up showers that plagued the event last year to be concerned about, this year’s execution under sunny skies went off beautifully. Nestled at the base of Mount Currie, attendees enjoyed an unforgettable day of fine hospitality and food.
Before sitting down to a fourcourse, family style menu highlighting the best of the season with many of the ingredients harvested on site as well as from nearby fields, pastures and waters, Top Table president Michael Doyle invited guests to raise a glass to Henderson, who recently marked 25 years with Araxi and the Top Table Group.
From a busser in 1992, then server and assistant manager, Henderson rose through the Araxi ranks, eventually promoted to restaurant director in 1999, the same year the iconic restaurant earned its first of many Best Whistler Restaurant citations.
Since then, the hard-working Henderson has added Bar Oso and Cellar by Araxi to his portfolio of esteemed restaurants.
Never one to rest on his laurels, Henderson, along with Walt, will reopen one of B.C.’s most storied restaurants, Il Caminetto, founded by Umberto Menghi. The Top Table Group acquired the Italian restaurant in Whistler earlier this year, with plans of a November opening following renovations.
TEEING OFF FOR DIABETES A roster of golfers and diabetes supporters gathered at the University Golf Course in Point Grey for the second annual Flames of Hope Golf Tournament in support of Diabetes Canada.
Created in honour of mining magnate and philanthropist John
Bowles, a tireless diabetes champion and longtime volunteer who died in December 2015, event chair
Krista Comstantineau and regional chair John Hooper welcomed players to the day of golf and camaraderie presented by Hecla Mining.
Under ideal conditions, 84 players came out swinging enjoying the burgeoning tournament’s many fairway games. They included fun activities such as closest to the gin, longest marshmallow drive and wheel of fortune.
More folks would join the celebrations at the post-game dinner and auction held at the University clubhouse. With veteran sports broadcaster Steve Darling as the MC, the dinner and auction, along with the day on the links would post a reported $100,000 for vital research to end diabetes.
Today, there are 11 million Canadians living with diabetes and pre-diabetes.
CREATIVE CONNECTIONS Invited to turn up at events, share the latest and greatest and post on their coveted Instagram and Twitter accounts, influencers or social superstars are the new promoters marketers clamour to reach.
Looking to harness the collective power of this influential set and create a local buzz for homegrown B.C. talent, 604Weekend was conceived.
A fresh face on Vancouver’s social scene, Adryan Hanson, Phanno Toeun and Omid Pourmomen recently launched their social effort to mobilize Vancouver’s creative culture.
Local and international athletes, artists and influencers from all industries with mass appeal and a large social-media following were invited to the weekend of fashion, music and dancing to help launch the social movement of networking and collaboration.
Key influencers making the list included Neels Visser (@neelsvisser), Cindy Kimberly (@wolfiecindy), Markel Williams (@markelwilliams_) and Anastasia Karanikolaou
(@stassiebaby). Attendees — millennials in their 20s and 30s — mixed, mingled and partied down over two days while identifying areas of mutual interest.
Looking to capitalize from the social network, young entrepreneurial upstarts making the scene at the recent event included swimwear designer Emma Sluchinski, Nude Vodka Soda’s Jerin Mece and Lipsi’s Matt Segal. The latter’s soon-to-be-released anonymous messaging platform is billed as the next indispensable tool for the young and savvy.