Urban Mixer Blog

Tonight was a very special treat at Rare. A $100-a-head fundraising benefit that had four very talented chefs collaborate on an eight-course extravaganza. Pure heaven.

Click HERE to find out more about the event.

The MC: Tamara Taggart, CTV

The Music: Adam Woodall

The chefs:

• Robert Belcham (C, Fuel)
• Brian Fowke (Rare One)
• Sean Heather (The Irish Heather, Salt, Pepper)
• Colin Johnson (Parkside)
• Neil Wyles (Hamilton Street Grill)

The catch:

• All local ingredients
• All items made from ingredients procured the same day

The menu:

• Champagne & canapes
• cauliflower & truffle shooter
• pumpkin ravioli • beurre noisette emulsion • amarettini-sage crumble
• fenel risotto • neon squid • malt-cured oak-smoked bacon
• duck soup • black beluga lentils & evergreen organic autumn vegetables
• butter-sauteed sablefsh • tarragon • chantrelles & porcini • apple puree
• Blue Goose organic beef • Dungeness mashed potatoes • red wine reduction
• Okanagan apples five ways • Gala • Ambrosia • Granny Smith
• local cheeses & charcuterie

There was a wine pairing also available for the event at an optional cost of $60 - of course I endulged and was duly rewarded:

• Castello della Sala Chardonnay Umbria, Italy 2004

Produced at a 14th century Castle, located 11 miles from the town of Orvieto where the micro-climate makes it ideal for the production of cooler-weather wines such as Chardonnay.

• L’ecole No. 41 Semillon Columbia Valley, Washington 2004

L’Ecole Nº 41 has been making Semillon since 1983 and is recognized in the industry as one of the top producers of this varietal. Few Semillons show their richness and complexitiy as those produced in Washington State. A 91 point Wine Enthusiast rating.

• Louis Jadot Cote de Nuits-Villages “Le Vaucrain” Burgundy, 2000
• Argyle Pinot Noir Willamette, Oregon 2004

Wine Spectator has called Argyle the “premier winery in Oregon”. This is what a cool, marine climate Pinot Noir is all about. Wine Spectator rating of 89 points.

• St. Francis “Nunn’s Canyon” Reserve Merlot Sonoma, California 1998

This wine is a monster. Absolutely massive tannins that need to be tamed with food. Try with the bone in Tenderloin or the New York Striploin. Huge intensity of flavour here with cherry plummy spicy fruit and a smoky vanilla finish. A 92 point Anthony Gismondi rating

• Buller Fine Old Muscat

Reddish amber in colour, with a concentrated raisiny sweetness on the palate and a long, lingering finish. Robert Parker rating of 96 points.

• Masi Costasera Amarone Veneto, Italy 2001

The Costasera Amarone expresses a particular majesty and complexity. Ideal with red meats, game and mature cheeses also an excellent wine for the end of the meal.

Over $13,000 was raised for Tina which makes for a very successful event. Thanks to Tim Keller, Brian Fowke and Neil Wyles for planning such an excellent event!