Brian Jessel BMW Cabriolet Charity Gala

The annual Brian Jessel BMW Cabriolet Charity Gala happened last Saturday night, with funds raised going towards The Canadian Cancer Society. The gala was in full swing shortly after the doors opened. There were fifteen restaurant sponsors, that included HY's Steakhouse, Joe Fortes, JOEY Restaurant, Nu Greek, Provence Marinaside & Mediterranean Grill, Raincity Grill, Soirette, HousexGuest, Hart House, Establishment, Federico's Supper Club, C Restaurant, Terra Breads, Bosa Foods and Caffe Artigiano. They all provided wonderfully delicious food in bite sizes that had everyone going back for more! Belvedere Vodka was also a primary drink sponsor, and the bar tenders were having fun pouring drinks for guests through the ice sculpture! 

A new meaning to ice cold drinks!

Clockwise from top left: Salmon C Stix, Tuna Belly Tartar with seaweed potato chip, Sauteed Jumbo Prawns with Garlic, Hy's Meatballs, Black Truffle Sac Cottini Pasta Chip, Rabbit Rillette.

Clockwise from top left: Mushroom Crostini, Tuna Chopsticks, AAA Beef Steak Salad, Smoked Tomato Gazpacho, Crab Tarts, African Peanut Soup.

Macarons, Scallop Ceviche, Prawn Cocktail, Red Velvet Mousse.

Huge 3L and 1.5L bottles of Belvedere Vodka.

Miss World Canada and Mr Canada also made an appearance at the Gala.

There was a silent auction going on throughout the night, with many wonderful items up for grabs donated by various sponsors. This was the first year they used cell phones to place in bids, and I think it made it a lot easier (and addictive!) putting in your bids. I certainly was bidding on a number of things!

A live auction, led by "Auctiontainer" Letitia Frye, had people bidding on everything from cakes and guitars to trips and a 20-person suite for The Legends of the Summer JT/Jay-Z Tour!

The gorgeous cakes in the dessert auction from (left to right) Ganache Patisserie, Faubourg, Gretchen's Here and Now, Le Gateau Bakshop, Thomas Haas.

Kid Carson led a game of Heads and Tails, with the winner walking away with a beautiful Franck Muller watch, donated by Rodeo Jewellers, valued at over $16,000. In order to participate, you had to purchase a pair of gold sunglasses for $20. Kid Carson flipped a coin, and whoever chose heads/tails got to stay in the game, until there was only one person left standing.

The lucky winner!

Franck Muller timepiece.

The rest of the evening was dedicated to music, first with Canadian pop and R&B star Rosette. The crowd loved her performance, and she even did some covers of other well known songs, which people sang along to.

Colin James, another Canadian superstar, hit the stage next and played for the rest of the evening. Everyone started getting up and dancing by this point, and it was just a ton of fun!

The Brian Jessel BMW Cabriolet Gala was a smash, with such great food, drinks and entertainment! I had a great time (and won a silent auction item!) and I certainly hope a lot of funds were raised from the evening. The Canadian Cancer Society funds innovative research that focuses on cancer prevention and life beyond cancer, so even were not able to attend the gala, please consider donating to this worthy cause!

Happy Father's Day!

$10 Starbucks Giftcard for $5

Groupon is once again offering a $10 Starbucks e-gift card for only $5. This is one of the most popular Groupon deals ever, so make sure you act fast! This is perfect for getting ice cold frappucinos in the upcoming hot summer days!

Car Free Day (Jun 16)

It's Car Free Day this Sunday, June 16th where several neighbourhoods will have the streets blocked off for an outdoor block party. The event is free and promotes less cars = more community. There is plenty of fun for the family, so take your dad out (it's Father's Day!) and enjoy the sun!

The parties are happening in these areas:

- Main Street, Broadway to 30th, noon-7:00 p.m.
- Commercial Drive, Venables to North Grandview Hwy/Central Valley Greenway Bike Lane, noon-7:00 p.m.
- Denman Street, Davie to Robson, noon-6:00 p.m.
- Kitsilano block parties for local residents, noon-6:00 p.m. (June 15th & 16th)
- Semlin Street, Adanac to Venables, noon-6:00 p.m. (June 15th)

Vancouver Canucks Year-End Blowout Sale (Jun 15-16)

Vancouver Canucks fans! Get official Canucks equipment and apparel at the annual year-end blowout sale, happening at the Rogers Arena Team Store (enter via Gate 7). Sale prices range from 20 to 70% off. For those that subscribe to the Canucks newsletter, make sure to print out the email they sent for exclusive early access on Saturday morning (from 10-11am). The store will be open to the general public from 11am-6pm on Saturday, and 12-5pm on Sunday.

Les Miserables Opens in Vancouver

[Photo credit: Kyle Froman]

Les Miserables is one of the most popular shows in the world, celebrating it's 25th anniversary, and it's not hard to see why. It was the opening night in Vancouver yesterday, and I very excited to finally see it on stage.

Based on Victor Hugo's story of love and revolution, this musical brings you back to 1815 where Jean Valjean has just been released on parole from 19 years of hard labour for stealing bread to feed his family. He is greeted with suspicion everywhere he goes, until a kindly priest shows him an act of kindness that causes him to break his parole and start his life anew. Years later, Valjean has become a factory owner and a mayor. He rescues Cosette, the daughter of Fantine, a worker in his factory, and raises her as if she were his own daughter. In Paris, 1932, Cosette has grown up and fallen in love with student Marius, who is a member of a revolution. Valjean gets caught up in the revolution and helps them make their last stand at a street barricade. Throughout the years, Jean Valjean has relentlessly been pursued by inspector Javert, who believes only in justice and following the law.

[Photo credit: Deen van Meer]

There were strong performances by Peter Lockyer as Jean Valjean, Andrew Varela as Javert and Briana Carlson-Goodman as Eponine. Genevieve Leclerc as Fantine had a weak start as she sang "I Dreamed a Dream", with the orchestra drowning her out, though her voice did get stronger near the end of the song.

[Photo credit: Deen van Meer]

The innkeepers Master and Madame Thénardier (Timothy Gulan and Shawna M. Hamic) never failed to steal the scene with their antics. Their theme, "Master's of the House" is catchy and provides some fun before the darker scenes in the latter half of the musical.

[Photo credit: Kyle Froman]

The scene with Eponine and Marius as they sing "A Little Fall of Rain" will bring tears to your eyes. Briana Carlson-Goodman definitely did a great job and sang with such emotion.

The ensemble puts on a solid performance, with many powerful and emotional numbers. The costumes, set and stage design were great as well, and transported you back to early 19th century France. Les Miserables is definitely a production you have to see on stage!

Les Miserables is playing daily at Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver now through June 23rd. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster. More information about the musical can be obtained at Broadway Across Canada.

E3 Special Offer: Save When You Pre-Order Games at Futureshop/Best Buy

With the new consoles and games being revealed at E3 this week, Best Buy and Futureshop have some great offers to save when you pre-order three games or more.

At Best Buy:

Get 4800 Reward Zone bonus points when you pre-order 3 select games online ($60 value)

At Futureshop:

Get from $6.80 to $20 off each game when you pre-order 3 select games (depends on the price of the games)

Both are comparable offers, but Futureshop has the better deal if you are planning on getting only one or two games. Best Buy has the better offer if you are buying the cheaper games (ie $39.99 for Nintendo DS), though their selection is not as large.

Both of these offers are good until June 13, 2013.

Happy gaming!

Chef Matthew Stowe Wins Title of Top Chef Canada #topchefcanada

I was invited to the Top Chef Canada finale viewing party at Cactus Club Cafe Coal Harbour tonight where Cactus Club's own Chef Matthew Stowe was celebrating, among other celebrity chefs and people from the Vancouver food scene. Invited guests had time to mingle and munch on appetizers before sitting down to view the finale and taste dishes that Chef Stowe had prepared for the judges from this past season of Top Chef Canada.

Located on Coal Harbour, this new location of Cactus Club Cafe has a gorgeous view of the water, and is right across from the Jack Poole Plaza where the Olympic Cauldron from the Vancouver 2012 Winter Olympics stands.

Watermelon Margarita: fresh squeezed watermelon juice, Cuervo Gold tequila and a splash of citrus. A new drink at Cactus Club for the summer, it is perfect for cooling off on a hot summer's day!

Various appetizers and dishes that Cactus Club offers: (clockwise from top left corner) Rob's goat cheese flatbread, ceviche, shortribs, chicken, tuna sushi cone, tuna tataki.

Chef Matthew Stowe with Cactus Restaurants president and founder, Richard Jaffray.

As soon as Top Chef Canada started airing, everyone was watching with rapt attention while enjoying these delicious creations by Matt Stowe.

Curry cauliflower soup with dried apricots, currants, and toasted almonds.

Maple leaf slider - maple pork patty, bacon and rickards beer jam, fresh apple slaw and challah bun.

Roasted banana and coconut tapioca with tropical fruits and a macadamia nut crumble.

Everyone was focused on the televisions, at the edge of their seats.

Richard Jaffray with Chef Stowe and his family, waiting to hear who won the title of Top Chef Canada.

And the winner is Matthew Stowe!!!

A very popular man tonight, Chef Matthew Stowe had a second to spare for a photo with me.

There were of course some amazing people at the event as well. It was lovely to see everyone!

Clockwise: The Food Gays, Fable's Trevor Bird with TCC's contestant Dan Hudson, Little Locavore, Follow Me Foodie, Cactus Club's executive chef Rob Feenie

It was a very exciting night for Chef Matthew Stowe and the Cactus Club restaurants, and everyone at the viewing party was extremely happy for his win. It was a fun night, the company was great and the food was delicious. Cactus Club sure knows how to throw a good party! Congratulations again to Chef Stowe!

Learn more about Top Chef Canada here, or follow Chef Matt Stowe on Twitter. Find out more about Cactus Club Cafe by following them on Facebook or Twitter.