Robbie Burns Supper

FEAST OF FORTUNE Across town, St. Paul’s Foundation celebrated the upcoming New Year at its annual Scotiabank Feast of Fortune banquet.

Created 12 years ago to bring Metro Vancouver’s Asian community together to support world-class health care, the dinner and auction has become one of the leading parties on the Lunar New Year social calendar.

Event creator Sing Lim Yeo once again led the charge, along with gala chair Hao Min and honorary chair Anita Law.

From a modest dinner at a Richmond Chinese restaurant, the event has grown exponentially. This year’s effort would see more than 700 guests gather at the Westin Bayshore Hotel ballroom to support priority medical equipment needs at Mount Saint Joseph Hospital.

From a lucky raffle to a live auction, patrons showed their love. As always, the biggest demonstration of support came during the call for cash. Donations ranging from $250 to $20,000 rained down, ultimately contributing to the event’s first ever $1-million haul. GREAT SCOT The Pan Pacific Vancouver once again played host to the second annual Salute to Robbie Burns Supper. Commemorating the legendary poet and his 260th birthday on Jan. 25, lads and lassies sporting their finest kilts and family tartan gathered to celebrate the life of Scotland’s favourite son and to enjoy an authentic Scottish dinner.

Much pomp and pageantry, pipers and poetry — the charitable event sponsored by ScotCan B.C. and the British Columbia Business Association had all the ingredients and trimmings for a successful outing. As usual, the night began with the official piping in of guests that included U.K. consul general Nicole Davison and Ireland consul general Frank Flood.

A Selkirk Grace followed before the ceremonial address to the haggis, a Scottish delicacy containing sheep’s liver, lungs and heart minced with oatmeal, onions and spices stuffed into the lining of the animal’s stomach.

Following Ross McDon

ald’s spirited incantation, the haggis was cut open, and whisked away to the kitchen where it was masterfully prepared by hotel executive chef Sean Murray.

Served with neeps and tatties, guests tucked into their delicious haggis meal, washed down by drams of fine whisky provided by Authentic Wines and Spirits. Following the royal repast, yours truly orchestrated the three-lot live auction of oneof-a-kind experiences.

Benefiting Prostate Cancer Canada and its Mad for Plaid campaign, a luxury trip for two to Scotland would garner the night’s top bid, contributing to the near $14,000 collected to support leading prostate cancer research here in B.C.

Warmed with good intentions, whisky and good food, the crowd enjoyed the musical stylings of the Mad Celts before an entertaining Toast to the Lassies by

Archie Campbell, Arrow Group of Companies CFO, and witty Reply from the Lassies by Tricia Barker,

Vancouver park board commissioner.

With the lads put properly in their place, the traditional singing of Auld Lang Syne that Burns penned concluded the fun-filled night.

Ross McDonald, principal, Clean West Capital and ScotCan B.C. director, provided the ceremonial Ode to the Haggis.

PHOTOS: FRED LEE/PNG Realtor Sing Lim Yeo and his wife Patricia have seen their modest fundraising dinner grow every year. Since its inception 12 years ago, the Feast of Fortune event has raised more than $6 million for vital hospital medical equipment.

Executive chef Sean Murray, right, and his culinary team prepared the traditional royal repast in honour of Scotland’s famous poet on the occasion of his 260th birthday.

Founding sponsor, Scotiabank district vice-president Larry Clements once again supported the Feast of Fortune Dinner chaired by Blundell Seafoods’ Anita Law and Bold Properties’ Hao Min. For the first time ever, event proceeds reached $1 million.

Fiona Dalton, Providence Health Care president and CEO, andDick Vollet, St. Paul’s Foundation president andCEO, welcomed more than 700 guests to the annual Chinese New Year tradition. This year’s dinner was staged at the Westin Bayshore Hotel.

Sporting their family Wallace tartan for the Burns supper were Michaela Cleator and Oana Barzuca.

The Pan Pacific Hotel’s Peter Cottan and Stephen Peters hosted their second annual Traditional Salute to Robbie Burns Dinner, sponsored by ScotCan B.C. and the British Columbia Business Association.

Among the attendees enjoying the traditional haggis meal was U.K. consul general Nicole Davison and Ireland consul general Frank Flood.

Mark Mahl, executive director, Prostate Cancer Canada, Western Region, was the beneficiary of the Robbie Burns dinner sponsored by Gareth Withers’ ScotCan B.C. organization.