Small-scale farming and food production is a viable B.C. industry, said Doug Helmer of Helmers Organic Farm at the 14 th Annual Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards last week.
Chefs honoured the Pemberton Meadows farm with the Best Supplier/Producer Award, touting the organic potatoes and mixed vegetables the farm supplies to restaurants in Whistler and Vancouver, including 2006 Best Restaurant Award winner West and Best Chef Award winner "C" Restaurant. You can always pick up Helmer produce at the Pemberton Valley Supermarket as well.
Araxi took home Gold again in the Best Whistler category. "(Chef) Scott Kidds arrival guaranteed that Araxi would stay atop the hill," wrote one of the magazines critiques who also praised Araxis "out of this world wine list."
The Bearfoot Bistro placed second, recognizing not only the world-class dining rooms hospitality that "dazzles," but also Andre St. Jacquess marketing talents, namely his debaucherous Cornucopia Wine Rave.
Outstanding staff was a contributing factor to Quattro at Whistlers third place ranking. Accolades included "Outstanding service and long-term staff who remember not just your name, but your drink" and "a meaty and mighty crab cake" as well as "whacking great grilled game hen."
La Rúa and Val d Isere were runners up.
Brunch with mom Sunday
Brunch is a popular way to celebrate Mothers Day.
New to Whistlers buffet circuit is Milestones spread, served daily from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. What better way to start out your day than with a tall fresh-squeezed orange juice? I was happy to discover poached eggs for the eggs benedict were soft and Belgian waffles hot. The menu includes breakfast standards such as scrambled eggs, smoked Canadian bacon, French toast, yogurt, fresh fruits and pastries. Coffee and tea is served at your table. Brunch is $18 for adults and $9 for children.
The Four Seasons Fifty Two 80 Bistro Mothers Day Buffet serves breakfast classics with quality ingredient twists. The omelet station includes choices of asparagus, shrimp and chorizo sausage, waffles can be drizzled in warm chocolate with berry compote, and a carving station boasts both baked ham and New York striploin. There are more than nine salads to choose from. Deli picks include smoked fish and Canadian cheeses. Look forward to four main entrees, such as braised halibut and wild-mushroom ravioli, and the sweet shop wields seven desserts dont miss the goat cheese cheesecakes and the multiple-flavour-infused brulee shots.
Coupled with live flamenco/Latin jazz from Vancouvers Kadabra, the Four Seasons Mothers Day experience is more than just a standard buffet. A kids craft station will also be set up and spa gifts for mom will be available. Brunch is $50 per person and $24 for children 5-12 years old.
Another breakfast buffet famous among these parts is at the Westin Resorts Aubergine Grille, which caters to appetites big and small as well as to health-minded diners.
Fruit plates boast unique items such as stewed figs infused with Star Anise and cinnamon. Eggs are free range and morph into scrambled, benedict, frittata and omelets made to order. Along with fresh-baked pastries, including apple turnovers and Whistlers best croissants, cold cuts, cheese and candied salmon work their way into the mile-long table mix. A Spa-muesli with fresh and dried fruits, flaxseed, nuts and wild flower honey caters to health nuts: the fresh unrefined food wields no preservatives, colours or additives. Local breakfast sausage, cream-baked Danish pudding and fresh-squeezed orange, apple and grapefruit juices also make this breakfast experience a unique one.
The daily Breakfast Buffet is $24 per person. The Continental Breakfast Buffet, which omits hot entrées such as eggs, pancakes, waffles and breakfast meats, is $18 per person.
Thibault now Hall of Famer
The memory and talents of Whistler restaurateur Joel Thibault were honoured when he was inducted into B.C. Restaurant Hall of Fame earlier this week.
Whistler lost one of the communitys pillars when Thibault, 61, died of a heart attack in May 2005. The Frenchmans passion for life, food and good company resulted in restaurant adventures in both Vancouver and Whistler, including Chez Joel, Bavaria and Joels at Nicklaus North.
The rotund, smiling man never forgot a face. This combination of passion for both food and people are what made his culinary adventures such a success.