Wine Culture Magazine
Wine Culture Magazine
John Bishop is the recipient of the 2023 Spirited Industry Professional Award at the Vancouver International Wine Festival. Joanne Sasvari photo
The Vancouver International Wine Festival announced the 2023 trade competition winners on Friday at Celebrating Excellence: 19th Annual Awards Lunch Featuring South America, presented by ContainerWorld. The Celebrating Excellence program is part of the three-day Trade Days conference; the program honours those professionals who contribute to this region’s exceptional wine and food culture. Guests enjoyed a meal prepared by Vancouver Convention Centre executive chef Nandakishore Rangan, exquisitely matched with a selection of 20 wines from South America.
The annual Spirited Industry Professional Award is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the sales, service or promotion of wine in British Columbia. The 16th annual award goes to John Bishop.
Welsh-born John Bishop began his career at the age of 15, filling creamer jugs and delivering breakfast trays. After ten years as chef at a restaurant in Kinsale, County Cork, he came to Canada in 1973. In 1985, he launched the iconic restaurant that bore his name for 36 years. Bishop’s was synonymous with farm-to-table ingredients, west coast hospitality, and great food and wine. John retired in August 2022 to spend more time with his family and write. He has already authored four cookbooks on everything from the importance of fresh, local ingredients, to favourite family recipes from his own home kitchen.
Kelcie Jones was named the 2023 Sommelier of the Year at the Vancouver International Wine Festival. Joanne Sasvari photo
The Sommelier of the Year Award recognizes working sommeliers who consistently demonstrate an outstanding passion for marrying wine with food and a dedication to exceptional service. This year’s winner, Kelcie Jones, co-owner, This is Wine School, was selected through a hands-on competition organized by the BC Chapter of the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers.
Sommelier, Wine Educator, Wine Writer, Master of Wine student. After completing a BA and MA at the University of Toronto, Kelcie held sommelier and wine director positions across Vancouver, most notably as Wine Director at Chambar, while completing her WSET Diploma and beginning to teach WSET and other wine courses. Following that, she opened Elephant on Powell as GM and Wine Director. Recently Kelcie joined the Michelin-starred Burdock & Co as Wine Director and opened This is Wine School to offer WSET and alternative wine education in Chinatown, Vancouver and beyond.
The Vancouver International Wine Festival is pleased to partner with the BC Hospitality Foundation, the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers and the Threlfall family on a scholarship in the name of our beloved friend and colleague, Terry Threlfall, who passed away suddenly in October 2020. The scholarship is awarded to a candidate seeking to make a difference in mentorship and leadership in the British Columbia wine trade. This year’s winner is Chris Turyk, Sales & Marketing Director, Unsworth Vineyards.
Chris helped found Unsworth Vineyards with his father, Tim. He has been involved in all aspects of the business from identifying vineyard sites to his current role directing marketing and sales. Chris has a deep passion for food, wine and agriculture with credentials and experience in all three areas. Chris sits on the board of directors for CAPS-BC and WGBC, and sits on committees with the BCHF and UBC Wine Research Centre. Currently Chris is enrolled in the Master of Wine Study Programme, which occupies the rest of the day when he isn’t working or walking his dog, Beau.
Celebrating the best food and wine pairings in the business, restaurants throughout British Columbia and Alberta have been recognized for creating wine lists that complement their establishment’s unique menu and concept. Candidates submitted their wine and menu lists, and were then visited by judges who reviewed their programs. The key judges were Tom Doughty, DJ Kearney, Bryant Mao, Iain Philip, and Maude Renaud-Brisson. The top restaurants were awarded Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze, or commended with an Honourable Mention.
Platinum
L’Abattoir
AnnaLena
Blue Water Cafe + Raw Bar
Chambar
Elisa
Hawksworth Restaurant
Nightingale
Gold
Bar Gobo
Botanist
CinCin Ristorante + Bar
Dachi – Community Hero
Elephant – Best New Entry
Published on Main
Yuwa Japanese Cuisine
Silver
Burdock & Co
Savio Volpe
Bronze
Forage
Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House
Tap Urban Cafe
Honourable Mention
Ancora Waterfront Dining and Patio, Ambleside
Gold
Alta Bistro
Silver
Bearfoot Bistro
Il Caminetto
Bronze
Araxi Restaurant + Oyster Bar
Wild Blue Restaurant + Bar
Gold
The Courtney Room
Bronze
10 Acres at the Pier
Fathom, Hotel Grand Pacific
Honourable Mention
Boom + Batten
Gold
Major Tom Bar (Calgary)
RGE RD (Edmonton)
For more information, go to VanWineFest.ca
Vitis is is an indispensable seasonal guide for vintners, sommeliers and weekend imbibers alike that is dedicated to British Columbia’s rapidly evolving wine culture.
Vitis is is an indispensable seasonal guide for vintners, sommeliers and weekend imbibers alike that is dedicated to British Columbia’s rapidly evolving wine culture.
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