The Westin Grand has completed its multi-million-dollar renovation project, and will be officially opening Hendricks on Mar. 1, following a soft opening beginning on Feb. 20. The 98-seat space will also function as a show lounge. Food and beverage programs will be overseen by executive chef Chris Savino and lead bartender Matt Houston. It will be open daily for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night. hendricksrestaurant.com
Rangoli has reopened in its new location next door, in the former Vij’s space. The larger space is complemented by a larger menu and later hours: it will now be open until 1am or 2am most nights, with a late-night bar menu that includes six new samosas from co-owner and chef Meeru Dhalwala. There are also new wine, beer and cocktail menus from Vij’s GM Mike Bernardo and bar manager Jay Jones. vijsrangoli.ca
El Camino’s is hosting an Oscars party on Sunday, Feb. 26, 3pm to 8pm. The evening will include Oscars bingo, costume prizes and drink specials. No reservations or cover charge required. elcaminos.ca
Applications are now being accepted for the 2017 Hawksworth Young Chef Scholarship. Aspiring chefs from across the country will compete in front of some of the country’s top chefs and critics. The grand prize winner receives $10,000 and a placement at one of world’s the top restaurants. This year’s judges include Mark McEwan, Vikram Vij, Normand Laprise and Justin Leboe, as well as David Hawksworth and Chris Stewart of Hawksworth Restaurant. hawksworthscholarship.com
Kieran Fanning, formerly of Bel Café, Le Parisien and Chambar, has joined David Gunawan’s team at Farmer’s Apprentice and Grapes & Soda as its new wine director. Fanning will be pairing a wide-ranging list of natural, biodynamic and organic wines from around the world to Gunawan’s sustainable and locavore menu. farmersapprentice.ca
Just in time for Mardi Gras, Thierry Café presents Fetes des Beignets. Until March 15, enjoy a classic beignet based on chef Thierry Busset’s mother’s recipe. The powdered, square-shaped doughnuts are made to order and served with housemade raspberry jam, chocolate or caramel sauce. Available individually or by the half dozen. thierrychocolates.com
The Vancouver Community College Foundation is hosting a gala fundraiser, named Flourish, on Thursday, Mar. 9, at VCC’s Broadway campus. It includes bites from chefs David Hawksworth, Hamid Salimian, Angus An, Poyan Danesh, Jen Peters, Tobias MacDonald and recent Chopped Canada winner Clement Chan. Wines from Naramata Bench Wineries Association will be served. The evening also includes a fashion show from VCC students, dancing and a silent auction. Tickets $200. vcc.ca/gala
Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar has announced new dates for its popular Sunday Paella Series. Beginning on Mar. 5 and continuing each Sunday throughout March and April, enjoy a three-course menu featuring paella made with Pacific octopus, local clams and mussels, prawns, chorizo soffritto, saffron, and shellfish stock. The meal also includes a glass of sangria, young beet salad with manchego cheese, and orange crema catalana for dessert. Tickets $49 per person from Eventbrite (two-guest minimum). boulevardvancouver.ca
Tickets are now on sale for the eighth annual BC Distilled Festival, Canada’s premier artisan and micro-distillery event,taking place Saturday, Apr. 8. This year, in addition to 34 distilleries from across B.C. taking part, there will be a three-day tasting series at Legacy Liquor, plus a Distillers Dinner the week preceding the festival at Forage. bcdistilled.ca
Fancy a road trip? The second annual Devour! Osoyoos Food Film Festival returns to the South Okanagan from May 5 to 7. Devour! is the world’s largest culinary film festival. The three-day event includes a diverse mix of culinary events at restaurants and wineries throughout the region. destinationosoyoos.com/devour-osoyoos
Night at the Aquarium returns Saturday, June 15, in support of ocean conservation. The evening begins with cocktails and canapes, followed by Vancouver’s top chefs collaborating on an Ocean Wise four-course dinner paired with premier wines and spirits. There will also be live and silent auctions, music and entertainment. Tickets $350 from vanaqua.org
