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National Post covers BC Restaurant Hall of Fame Gala 2009

Curtains up – A toast to theatricality and hospitality

By Fred Lee, Published in the National Post, April 11, 2009

Leaders of B.C.’s food and hospitality industry were the first to test the kitchens and ballrooms of the new Convention and Exhibition Centre, Vancouver’s latest and most expensive (coming in at just under $1-billion) landmark. Spanning nine football fields, the facility opened its doors for the fifth annual B.C. Restaurant Hall of Fame Gala.

British Columbia’s Lieutenant-Governor Steven Point, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson and VANOC CEO John Furlong formally kicked off the gala, which was chaired by Heidi Romich and emceed by Global Television’s Chris Gailus. A Summerhill Cipes Brut bubbly reception was followed by multimedia presentations and an exquisite dinner orchestrated by executive chef Blair Rasmussen.

Restaurant Hall of Fame inductees included industry pioneers George Frankel, BrunoPatassini, and Primo Villanueva and current restaurateurs David Aisenstat (Keg Restaurants) and Geoffrey Howes (Horizons, Salmon House and Aqua Riva). Also inducted were Darren Gates (Joe Fortes), Jean Turcotte (The Cannery); Thomas Haas (Haas chocolates); Scott Jaeger (The Pear Tree); and food writers Jamie Maw and Sid Cross, co-founders of the Chefs Table Society of B.C. The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to food writer and B.C. Restaurant Hall of Fame historian Duncan Holmes. Proceeds from the gala will support the B.C. Hospitality Foundation, which offers financial assistance to people in the food, beverage and hospitality professions in critical times of need.

Source: National Post

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