This is the fifteenth event in this Food Talks series! Come join us to meet and mingle with other foodies, and to hear some enlightening speakers from the food community.

Hosted by Richard Wolak – Founder of Vancouver Foodster and Food Talks

Theme: From Your Roots 

Our Speakers Line-up:

Caren McSherry

Caren McSherry

Founder – Gourmet Warehouse 

Caren’s professional training began at the Cordon Bleu in London, England. Her culinary education continued throughout the world, including the Culinary Institute of America, The Thai Cooking School in Bangkok & Japanese Food Art in Tokyo. In 1978 she founded Caren’s Cooking School, which now is one of Canada’s longest running, privately owned schools. In addition to teaching, she hosts The Sunday Morning Show “Cooking 101” on GLOBAL TV’S weekend news. She is a weekly guest on CKNW with Simi Sara called “Foodie Friday”

She is the author of 3 books and co-author of 3, her 7th book published by Random house/Penguin will be released October 2017.

Caren’s love of good food inspired the innovative concept of, “THE GOURMET WAREHOUSE”. The first store of its kind in Canada to unite gourmet specialty foods, kitchenware and supplies offering more than 28 thousand sku’s. Her other company “Continental Importers” is responsible for seeking out and obtaining the international food procurement to keep both companies on the cutting edge of food trends.

Dedicated to helping others in the business, she co-founded the BC Chapter of Les Dames D’Escoffier, an international organization that promotes the professionalism of women in the culinary industry whose mission is to provide culinary scholarship opportunities to women.

Caren has recently been inducted into the BC RESTAURANT HALL OF FAME, has been included in Business in Vancouver’s top 25 performing businesses in British Columbia owned by women and is Where Magazine’s 2016 Trailblazer. She has also won the 2017 Board of Trade Wendy McDonald award for retail innovator of the year..

You can follow Caren McSherry on Twitter @caren_mcsherry and on Instagram @Caren_Mcsherry 

Paul Grunberg

Paul Grunberg

Co-Owner L’Abattoir and Osteria Savio Volpe

Paul Grunberg, host & restaurateur, is a force of nature in the Vancouver hospitality scene. With a goosebump-inducing passion first sparked while living and working at a boutique hotel in Switzerland, Paul brings an intense energy, a keen savoir-faire, and a genuine desire to create a comfortable environment for guests, ensuring an exceptional dining experience for every guest, every time.

Launching and nurturing some of the city’s top restaurants – Chambar, Market by Jean-Georges at the Shangri-La Hotel, Bao Bei Brasserie and his first co-owned project, L’Abattoir – led Paul to his most recent joint venture Osteria Savio Volpe, one of the city’s most popular new spots.

An award-winning public speaker and communicator and a graduate of Canada’s notable Hotel and Hospitality program at Camosun College, Paul’s strong leadership and uncompromising vision have served to parlay his obsession for food, wine and impeccable service into a reputation for creating remarkable dining experiences inspired by his own most memorable restaurant adventures at home and abroad.

Brian Turko

Brian Turko

Owner & Master Roaster

There are musical virtuosos, great chefs, and then there are rare individuals that can take up to 13 coffee bean varietals and know what to do with them. Milano’s Master Roaster, Brian Turko falls into this category.

Brian was born and raised in Vancouver’s Little Italy. There he discovered espresso bars in the early 1980’s when there was only a handful in the city, including Café de Milano where Brian came across a taste that changed his life. It was the taste of 100% Arabica coffee espresso with 7 to 11 varietals in each blend, masterfully crafted by Milano’s founding father, Francesco Curatolo. This was the beginning of a special relationship between teacher and student that would span almost two decades.

Following a 15 year mentorship to Francesco, Brian Turko, has earned his place as a West Coast coffee pioneer, elevating the premium coffee concept to new heights. Combining a careful diligence for Italian tradition with a boundless appetite for innovation, Brian’s novel blending concepts have created the ‘Milano taste’ hailed by coffee connoisseurs throughout the world and awarded multiple times by the International Institute of Coffee Tasters.

Following his mentorship to Francesco, Brian continued to dedicate his life to the pursuit of the perfect blend. His passion, tenacity and talent for the craft of roasting and blending regularly takes him into rarified territory in the coffee world.

Ian Bruce

Ian Bruce

Founder – Umaluma Gelato

Ian Bruce is a business executive and entrepreneur with 25 years experience in technology sales and business development. He is a “Foodie” with a passion for food excellence who is inspired by food that makes a difference in our lives. Food that is organically grown, ethically sourced and combined in ways that tantalize and seduce one’s sense experience. His company, Umaluma Ice Cream (an organic, non-dairy gelato retail and wholesale business), has taken these ideals and vision to heart. Focused on creating the ultimate, healthy alternative to the beloved ice cream experience, Umaluma boasts more than 20 original flavours that combine ultra-premium ingredients sourced all over the planet, with an original non-dairy based formula that tastes and feels even creamier than conventional ice cream – Ice Cream Evolved.

Jason Gilron

President – Pacific Restaurant Supply

Jason leads the design and sales division of Pacific. He maintains key relationships with customers and suppliers throughout the industry. Red seal certified, Jason has 12 years of experience in food preparation and brings this wealth of knowledge to Pacific.

If you haven’t been to our previous Food Talks events, Novus TV featured our Vol 3 on City Lights (view here).

The Evening:

Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, followed by a wonderful line-up of speakers who will talk about our theme: From Your Roots.  There will be a Q & A where you will have a chance to ask questions and engage with the speakers along with a chance to mingle and network with the speakers and guests afterwards.

Tickets:

Early-Bird Tickets: $12 per person (before October 31, 2017)

Regular Tickets: $18 per person (after October 31, 2017)

Note: Eventbrite fee and GST is extra on all tickets purchased online.

Note: ALL Tickets must be purchased in advance online. All ticket sales are final. No exchanges or refunds; however you are welcome to transfer the ticket to another person for the same event if you notify us in advance with name (s) of who will be attending in your place. Event produced by CMI Chat Media Inc.

Location and Presenting Sponsor

 Chairs Rental Sponsor