Toque of the Town

It has been said that fine food and wine are best enjoyed with friends and music so our members were treated to an evening with Early Music Vancouver paying homage to French gastronomy. What better way to combine the arts, with a performance of Toque of the Town by Fuoco e Cenere in Vancouver's beautiful Christ Church Cathedral. The performance, with an instrumental ensemble, two singers and an on-stage chef, was followed by a tasting in the cathedral and a post-concert reception for our members of the IW&FS and guests of EMV.

Our canapés, prepared by Chopped Canada Champion Chef Alana Peckham and her team, included Port Cured Foie Gras Torchon with Sweet & Sour Pickled Grapes and Toasted Crostini, Smoked Salmon Rillette with Dill, Cornichons, Capers and Crispy Phyllo, and Truffle Mushroom Duxelle with Parmesan Chip, Chives and Puff Pastry, together with platters of Assorted Local and Imported Cheeses with Fruit and Crackers and a Variety of Vegetables with a Sun Dried Tomato & Pesto Hummus. Delicious!

Not to be outdone, the wine selection included fine Burgundy wines from Louis Jadot – a 2015 Macon Villages Grange Nagnien and a 2012 Savigny lès Beaune Clos de Guettes Premier Cru Blanc and delicious red wines, a 2011 Château des Jacques Moulin-à-Vent Grand Carquelin and a 2013 Savigny lès Beaune La Dominode Premier Cru.

Such a wonderful evening to celebrate French Gastronomy and our thanks go to Chef Alana Peckham, to Michael Shuster of International Cellars Inc., to Matthew White, Artistic Director of EMV for his kind assistance, to member Vincent Tan for orchestrating the introductions, the volunteers for all their assistance and to Milena Robertson, as usual, for her excellent photography and support.