Meeru Dhalwala is Vikram Vij’s  partner at Vancouver’s renowned Vij’s and Rangoli, their sister restaurant.  Meeru, a cookbook author, now brings you the opportunity to learn the art of Indian cooking.

What’s more, the full proceeds will go towards Les Dames’ Scholarship Fund a women dedicated foundation that fosters hospitality and culinary excellence.

It’s Indian cooking demystified, by one of Vancouver’s best and brightest.

From press release:

Meeru Dhalwala, co-owner of the award-winning Vij’s and Rangoli restaurants, and a member of the BC Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier, is giving a cooking class based on her most recent book Vij’s at Home -Relax Honey.

This unique opportunity to learn the secrets of great south Asian cooking from a recognized master is being held at the Northwest Culinary Academy (2725 Main Street, Vancouver) on Monday, May 14th from 6:15 to 10 p.m. Spaces are priced at $99 + HST with the full proceeds going towards Les Dames’ Scholarship Fund.

Participants will be charmed by Meeru’s easy style and her anecdotes about the ingredients and recipes. Her love of food, enthusiasm and commitment to healthy eating will win over even the most confirmed kitchen klutz.

As space is limited, pre-registration is a must and can be made by calling 604-876-7653 with your Visa or MasterCard. The class would make a great Mother’s Day gift, or be perfect for the foodie in your life or as a treat for yourself. You can’t ask for a better teacher than Meeru.

This is one class that won’t end in an exam, but in a tasty meal. So relax, learn to cook some fabulous South Asian dishes, and support Les Dames’ scholarships all at the same time.

Details on the class can be found on Northwest Culinary Academy’s web site by clicking here.

Les Dames D’Escoffier is an international association of professional women dedicated to supporting the advancement of people in the hospitality and culinary domains as well as fostering industry excellence through educational and charitable activities. Each year the it holds special events to raise funds in support of these endeavours. For more information on the BC Chapter of Les Dames D’Escoffier, visit www.lesdames.ca

About the author: Sean Neild is always hungry and blogs at seanadventuresinflavortown.com and on the Food Network’s hit show Eat St’s blog .  Find him on twitter @YVRBCbro .

Can’t cook? Want to improve your culinary skills? Don’t fret! The Arts Club Theatre Company has announced its Spring 2012 lineup of Celebrity Chef Cooking Classes!

From May 28 – July 18, attendees will have the opportunity to learn some tricks of the trade and how to incorporate in-vogue ingredients into their kitchens at home.

Each evening consists of a four-course dinner complete with wine pairings from either Rigamarole Wines, Ganton & Larsen Prospect Winery, or Mission Hill Family Estate.

Tickets are $125 with funds going to the Arts Club, a non-profit theatre company. Featured chefs include: Quang Dang (West) and Anthony Sedlak (The American Cheesesteak Co. and host of the Food Network’s, The Main).

From the press release:

A few weeks ago, we announced a highly anticipated event in Vancouver, 2012 Dish n’ Dazzle gala, happening on Wednesday, May 16, 2012.

We’re excited today for 2 more reasons.

Firstly, they’ve announced their star studded line up of restaurants and bartenders that will strut their creations that night. The wineries, sponsored by Wines of Argentina, will be pouring some fantastic vino all night too.

Secondly, we’re giving away a pair of tickets to this spectacular event. Keep reading on to find out how to win.

From the press release:

2012 Dish n’ Dazzle Participants Include Top Names in Food & Drink

The British Columba Hospitality Foundation (BCHF) is pleased to announce the names of the restaurants, wineries, liquor sponsors, and bartenders who will participate in its annual fundraising event.

On Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel will host the Dish n’ Dazzle gala, which is always one of the most talked-about nights of the year, as industry insiders gather to socialize, be entertained, and enjoy outstanding food and drink as they support this great cause.

Dish n’ Dazzle is truly a collaborative effort which could not happen without the support and participation of tremendous organizations and incredible individuals

Celebrated Vancouver restaurants will wow your tastebuds with their culinary creations:
·         Bistro 101 at Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts
·         Cafe Pacifica – The Pan Pacific Hotel
·         Fleuri  at the Sutton Place Hotel
·         Heron’s West Coast Kitchen + Bar
·         House of Empanadas
·         Hy’s Encore Steakhouse
·         Kits daily Kitchen
·         MARKET by Jean-Georges
·         Oru at the Fairmont Pacific Rim
·         PIER 7 restaurant + bar
·         Rockford Wok|Bar|Grill
·         Sanafir of the THE GLOWBAL COLLECTION
·         The Granville Room
·         Chef Anne Kirsebom

Refreshments will be provided by the following wineries, all members of event sponsor Wines of Argentina:
1.        Amalaya
2.        Casa Bianchi
3.        Casa Montes
4.        Catena Zapata
5.        Clos de los Siete
6.        Dante Robino
7.        Escorihuela 1884
8.        Familia Schroeder
9.        Familia Zuccardi
10.     Finca Decero
11.     Finca Flichman
12.     Flechas de los Andes- Compagnie Vinicole Baron Edmund de Rothschild
13.     Las Perdices
14.     Michel Torino
15.     Norton
16.     Pascual Toso
17.     Santa Ana
18.     Santa Julia
19.     Tapiz
20.     Terrazas de los Andes
21.     Trivento
22.     Vistalba

Liquor sponsors will provide liquid inspiration for the “Shakedown” cocktail competition:
·         Belvedere Vodka
·         Cointreau
·         Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch Whisky
·         Hennessey Cognac
·         Hornitos Tequila
·         Mount Gay Rum

And local Bartenders put their Cocktail creativity to the test for your delight:
·         Grant Sceney – Fairmont Pacific Rim
·         Justin Taylor – YEW, Four Seasons Hotel
·         Katie Sita – CinCin
·         Trixie Blumel – Shangri-La Hotel
·         Joey Donnelly – The Granville Room
·         Katie McDonald – Veneto Lounge, Hotel Rialto (Victoria)

A raffle prize put together by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts includes
·         2 nights on Fairmont Gold at the Fairmont Waterfront
·         A trip for 2 on the Sea to Climb on Rocky Mountaineer
·         2 nights on Fairmont Gold at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler
·         A trip for two via Harbour Air from Whistler to Victoria
·         2 nights on Fairmont Gold at the Fairmont Empress
·         A flight for two from Victoria to Vancouver on a Helijet Helicopter

The silent auction is MASSIVE and filled with everything hospitality….hotel stays, restaurant gift certificates, foodie gift baskets including:
·         Large format wine bottles from Okanagan wineries
·         Chef’s Table dinners at Q4 Centro, PIER 7 restaurant + bar
·         Luxury bedding from Northern Feather
·         Top of the line Natural Gas BBQ
·         Jewelry from Sugar Lime and Jeweliette
·         Luxury hotel stays

Legacy Liquor Store will be supplying a lounge atmosphere where patrons can relax in a sexy space, sip enticing cocktails and wine while listening to a fabulous DJ.  Reidel glassware will be showcased and will be available for ordering at a special show price.

All proceeds from the evening, which also includes live music and a silent auction, will go to the BCHF, which provides financial support for hospitality industry members who are facing extraordinary medical expenses and awards scholarships to future industry leaders .

The event is a perennial favourite, so avoid disappointment and reserve your tickets now by visiting www.dishndazzle.com.

Dish N’ Dazzle
Wednesday, May 16 2012
6:30 – 9:30PM

Fairmont Waterfront Hotel
900 Canada Place Way, Vancouver

Tickets $75 per person

We thank them for providing us with 2 tickets to to give away to 1 lucky winner.

Win a pair of tickets to 2012 Dish n’ Dazzle

[UPDATE] Congratulations to Melanie L, the winner of the Dish n’ Dazzle tickets. Thank you to everyone that entered.

3 simple ways to enter :

• Follow us both and Tweet: Win 2 tickets to #DishNDazzle @bchospitality from @VanFoodTour http://ow.ly/aEVuo
• Facebook: “Like” this post and share it with your friends. FB allows us to see who’s shared the post.
• Comment: Tell us which restaurant/ winery/ bar you anticipate tasting from most by commenting below.

Each method counts as a separate entry. The winner will be drawn and announced on May 9th.  Best of luck!

This is exciting news for food and drink enthusiasts, home chefs and celebrity chef fans.  Canada’s largest consumer food show is right around the corner.

The 10th Annual EAT! Vancouver Food + Cooking Festival

BC Place Stadium – June 1, 2 + 3, 2012

Head over to their website to see all huge line up of events going on that weekend, from competitions, hands on seminars, tasting exhibitions and much more.

Be prepared to meet your favourite celebrity chefs at the Food Network Celebrity Stage, such as David Rocco (Host of David Rocco’s Dolce Vita), Bob Blumer (Host of World’s Weirdest Restaurants and Glutton for Punishment), and our very own Rob Feenie, to name a few.

Be sure to snag your tickets and to register for Pop-Up Culinary Centre Cooking Classes before they sell out.  Spaces are limited.

We’re thrilled to give away tickets to our followers.

UPDATE: Congratulations to kahhlee, the randomly drawn winner of the tickets.  Have a great time and enjoy the event.

Win a pair of tickets to The 10th Annual EAT! Vancouver Food + Cooking Festival

3 simple ways to enter :

• Follow us both and Tweet: Win 2 tickets to @EAT_Vancouver from @VanFoodTour http://ow.ly/aBZBN
• Facebook: “Like” this post and share it with your friends. FB allows us to see who’s shared the post.
• Comment: Tell us which event or class interests you the most by commenting below.

Each method counts as a separate entry. The winner will be drawn and announced on May 15th.  Best of luck!

This isn’t your average film festival.  Doxa Documentary Film Festival will be featuring a colourful mix of feature films from around the world.  Expect everything from raw and provocative, to inspiring and deeply cultural.

“With more than 100 films and 76 screenings (in 5 different venues), 6 world premieres and the first ever digital interactive film to open the festival, DOXA 2012 is bigger and better than ever.”  Do you have your tickets yet?

The program that caught our eye is Slice of Life, a visual celebration of food and culture in 2 short films.

Slice of Life: Shorts Program

Saturday May 12 | 2:00 PM | Pacific Cinémathèque

Mistura: The Power of Food
Patricia Perez, Peru, 2011, 38 mins
As the old adage goes: “You are what you eat.” But when it comes to the wildly inventive cuisine of Peru, this chestnut takes on vivid new flavour. Patricia Perez’s joyful celebration of Peruvian food and culture, embodied in the Mistura Festival, held each September in Lima, is a brilliant kaleidoscope of colour, flavour, and national pride. –DW

Yuban (Live Earth)
Yaasib Alvaro Vásquez Colmenares, Mexico, 2011, 29 mins
The earth (or “Yuban”) for a Zapotecan community in Southern Mexico is meant to be tread upon lightly, for it is alive! “Yelembam is to say everything about the world and the cosmos is life,” explains one villager. Preparing for their annual carnival celebration—a dreamy blend of music, food, dance, and fireworks—the village collectively takes the time to express gratitude not for what they can take from the earth, but for everything it generously offers in return. –JM

Want to go?  Here’s how to win a pair of tickets and membership for 2.

Win a pair of tickets to Doxa Documentary Film Festival

3 simple ways to enter :

• Follow us both and Tweet: Win 2 film tickets to @doxafestival from @VanFoodTour http://ow.ly/axyLA
• Facebook: “Like” this post and share it with your friends. FB allows us to see who’s shared the post.
• Comment: Tell us which film interests you the most by commenting below.

Each method counts as a separate entry. The winner will be drawn and announced on May 2nd.  The tickets are transferable so win them for yourself or your film loving friends.

The tickets are for Slice of Life program only.  To purchase tickets to other showings, please visit Doxa’s website.