Notes of Summer – Recent Honours, Al Fresco Dining, Upcoming Events and Anniversaries British Columbia Restaurant Hall of Fame

Posted on July 22, 2010

Fresh on the heels of an unprecedented 17 awards garnered at the recent Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, Top Table team members will be recognized with two more accolades.

On September 27th, executive chef Frank Pabst of Blue Water Cafe + Raw Bar, and restaurant director Brian Hopkins of West, will be inducted into the British Columbia Restaurant Hall of Fame. These awards signal those “who have demonstrated exceptional professionalism working in the restaurant industry by making their restaurant a special experience.”

The BC Restaurant Hall of Fame was founded six years ago by the BC Restaurant and Food Services Association, and annually honours “the greats” of the province’s culinary community. Jack Evrensel, proprietor of Top Table Group (and 2007 inductee) said, “This is a true distinction and a great honour for Frank and Brian, as well as being a real credit to the other team members in their respective restaurants.”

West’s David Wolowidnyk Wins National Cocktail Competition

We’re also delighted to announce that West’s bar manager, David Wolowidnyk, won the Ketel One-sponsored National Bar Chef Competition in Toronto on July 13th against a field of Canada’s top mixologists. His cocktail, ‘Sichuan Punch’, featured Sichuan Button-infused vodka, cardamom bitters, fresh lemon, Paris-Singapore syrup and house-made ginger beer. The delicious prize-winning cocktail will be available at West starting August 1st, following his return from Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans.

Summer + Al Fresco Dining

British Columbia’s seasonal bounty—drawn from the ranches, farms and fishboats of top quality suppliers—is amply reflected on our current summer menus. And, there is no better place to partake than by dining al fresco on the patios of Araxi, Blue Water Cafe, and CinCin; and at West, during lunch and brunch Monday to Saturday and dinner seven nights. Click on the restaurant links to view the current menus:Araxi, Blue Water Cafe, CinCin, West.

Upcoming Events

We are excited to be involved in these upcoming events. Click on the links for further details, or visit our online event calendar.

July 31st Food Day Araxi, BWC, CinCin, West

August 1st Feast in the Mountains Araxi, James Walt

August 9th Chefs Across the Water BWC, Frank Pabst

August 15th Slow Food Cycle Sunday Araxi, James Walt

Sept.11th-12th Canadian Chefs’ Congress Araxi, James Walt

Sept.19th Passions CinCin, Todd Howard

Sept.27th BC Restaurant Hall of Fame Gala Frank Pabst + Brian Hopkins

Anniversaries

This Autumn, three of our restaurants celebrate landmark anniversaries: the 10th year for Blue Water Cafe + Raw Bar and West, and the 20th year for CinCin. Further details—and featured menus—to follow in the coming months.

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Interviews and high resolution images available upon request.