Mad dash for Dish and Dazzle fun

After throwing on a crisp white shirt, a colourful silk tie and my best dark suit, it was time to fire up the Mustang, pick up my wife and head to our first Dish and Dazzle fundraiser at the swank Vancouver Convention Centre.

The event raises hundreds of thousands of dollars through the B.C. Hospitality Foundation to offer support for members of the hospitality community who find themselves facing insurmountable costs brought on by serious health issues. Funds also supply scholarships and bursaries for students enrolled in hospitality programs. It is a great concept.

Kathleen and I have to thank Coletta and Associates, a new Click Media Works client, for inviting us as guests to this incredible food and wine event. Tickets are $250 each. We were sure to bid on silent auction items and purchase raffle tickets for a Napa Wine Country two-night stay and VIP wine tour and tastings for two at some pretty interesting vineyards and wineries.

It was quite a networking night for us as we made our way into the various rooms offering food and wine pairings. Another section of the convention centre was action central for the bartender shakedown, a competition among six of the province's best mixologists, including Danielle Tatarin of the Keefer Bar at The Keefer; Simon Ogden from the Veneto Lounge at the Hotel Rialto; Shaun Layton from L'Abattoir; Lauren Mote of the Refinery; Shawn Soole of Clive's Classic Lounge at Chateau Victoria and pictured below, Jacob Sweetapple from the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel.

When we first arrived, we were offered some delectable treats from Yew Restaurant and Bar (below) and a sip of Segura Viudas Brut Rose from International Cellars. If you want the entire lowdown on who served what food and wine, click here: http://www.bchospitalityfoundation.com/events/dish-n-dazzle-2010

We spotted Chef Ned Bell (pictured below) of B.C. Belgian Endive fame, a company with Abbotsford roots. He was busy building an endive treat for the Cabana Bar and Grille and The Waldorf Hotel featuring Spanish-style Salt Cod 'Brandade', oven dried Windset Farms allegro tomatoes and lemon garlic parsley.

We met some wonderful food and wine industry people along the way, including Dana Lee Harris (below) who is putting together seminars for the Whistler Cornucopia event in mid-November.

We stopped for a shot of Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, then moved onto the table of sweets.

For $180 in Seattle, you too can acquire a jacket like this one worn by esteemed Canadian Professional Bartenders Association director David Wolowidnyk (2008 Bartender of the Year).

We watched our bids on some of the auction items, mingled with the masses, and took the time to soak up the ambiance.

More nibblies . . . more wine . . . more good conversations . . . and we started to say our goodbyes, in particular to our Coletta and Associates friends, Leeann Froese and Christine Coletta (with Kathleen on the right, below).