Fire Starters - Outdoor Cooking Escapade! BBQ madness in Vancouver

For all of you that love a good barbecue, it's summer, come outside and watch the flames with us. Join us for an outdoor cook-off where local chefs (Andrea Carlson of Bishops for one) will be firing up a storm: spit roast, fire pit baking, BBQ, grill & smoke. Taste the fire in your food. And while you're eating your outdoor dinner, you'll do some good! Proceeds from the event will support the non-profit Growing Chefs! Chefs for Children's Urban Agriculture.

Whats extra exciting? ...The first Canadian appearance of smoked Tur-duck-in-hen-quail-con will be unveiled! Yes, the con is for bacon.

When: Sunday, July 25th
1pm or 3pm ticket times

Early Bird Discount Tickets: (Purchase before July 16)
5 Tasting Ticket - $10
5 Tasting Ticket with wine/beer pairing - $20

Tickets after July 16th
5 Tasting Ticket - $15
5 Tasting Ticket with wine/beer pairing - $25

Location: Swallow Tail Secret Supper Club, Vancouver, BC

Email: robin@swallowtail.ca for tickets and more details!



With your tasting ticket, you will get to sample of each team's treats. The teams will also have larger servings for sale if you hunger for more of you favourite tasting! Prices range from $5-$15 for the larger plates.

Sponsored by Windsor Meats and R&B Brewing
Cancellation Policy - All tickets are final sales, no refunds, you are welcome to sell them to other guests

BC vs Washington Merlot Battle

I'm part of a wine club, I know that sounds super snobby. We meet once a month at a member's house to redden our teeth and liven our spirits. Last month's challenge was to find the best of BC and set them against the best of Washington, both areas reputed world wide to have respectable merlots. If you are ever looking for something to serve with a full flavoured merlot, I made a salmon wellington topped with a merlot reduction and they were consumed rapidly. Here was the line up:

Washington
1. The Hogue(2004) - Signature BCLC(41st Ave) - $14
2. Columbia Crest(2005) - Signature BCLC(41st Ave)- $22
3. Holy Cow(2006) - Brewery Creek Liquor Store - $30

BC
1. Therapy Vineyards(2006) - Firefly - $44
2. Nk Mip Vineyards(2006) - Signature BCLC(41st Ave) - $25
3. Cedar Creek(2006) - Signature BCLC(41st Ave) - $25

We tried two excellent Cab/Merlot blends as well;
1. Super Ego, Therapy Vineyards - BC - Firefly - $44
2. The Hogue(2004) - Washington - Signature BCLC(41st Ave) - $14

Every single one of these wines was really yummy. The interesting thing about Washington merlots is that they pack a surprising punch both in flavour profile and body, moving toward cabernet sauvignon territory. If you are ever in Columbia Valley, Yakima(WA), head for a winery called 2 Mountains and you will experience that bold merlot in spades. BC tends towards more finesse and displays the medium body that is typical of cooler climate viticulture. Therapy vineyards continues to make some of the best BC reds around despite their branding which drives me mad. The pricing on their wines is very prohibitive which is unfortunate. Their super ego, Bordeaux blend, is probably one of my favourite BC reds, buy it for a special occasion.

And now you want to know the winner, if I've kept you reading this long. Well, value for dollar went, hands down, to The Hogue with its chocolate, cherry overtones. It is a new world merlot fit to drink all by itself. But for the best food pairing, Cedar Creek wins the fight, cutting nicely through the rich pastry and buttery salmon with its spicy, cherry oak.