Monthly Archives: October 2009

Poisonous, originally uploaded by amber turnau.

Only in Whistler can you go from learning about wild mushrooms in the forest with fungi fanatics to hitting up a snowboard movie premiere filled with hip industry kids all in the same day.

Whistler’s annual mushroom festival, Fungus Among Us took place over the weekend. The event, held by Whistler Naturalists’ Society, includes mushroom seminars and slide shows, walks in the forest with gurus and even an edible fungi cooking class.

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Early Saturday morning, about 50 people gathered in the parking lot of the local school to discover the forgotten fungi through the eyes of mushroom experts.

From older hippie types with long beards to young families to twenty-somethings, an eclectic group of people turned up that misty morning. Our group headed to the Brandywine Falls area, where we embarked on our pouring rain adventure through the forest.

Believe it or not, there is a myriad of mushrooms in the forests of the Pacific Northwest; from the “Elf’s Saddle” that contains the natural elements of rocket fuel, to the edible Hawk’s Wing with a beautiful flower pattern to a poisonous variety that’s symptoms don’t hit you until two weeks later when you will likely need a kidney transplant.

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We happened upon a few Pine Mushrooms which actually sell for around $40/kg. Another member of our group found a massive edible the size of her head – that’s a lot of mushroom risotto!

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Our mushroom experts were passionate – and comfortable in their nerdiness – and truly gave us all an appreciation for the fungus among us! That being said, I’d never be comfortable enough to go into the forest and pick my own mushrooms without an expert on hand. But, you can sure make a killing if you know what you’re doing!

At the end of the walk, my friend and I headed back to cook our mushrooms. Sauteed in garlic and butter – hey, we’re naturalists, not chefs!

That night, it was on to the snowboard movie premiere “Sixes and Sevens” by film company NuuLife Cinemas. Beers, schwag, cool videos and hip, young kids brought all the elements of a classic industry party.l

From a family-themed walk in the woods to a rowdy movie at the GLC, Whistler gave me the best of both worlds in less than 24 hours.

And that’s why I love living in this place, where adventure and appreciation for nature go hand in hand – and there are always beers along the way.

Hell’s Kitchen Grand Opening Party at Araxi: Hell hath no fury…but it has a winner!

October 15, 2009

Arts & Culture, Food & Wine

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By now, the whole world has probably heard that Gordon Ramsay chose Chef Dave Levey as the winner of his hit FOX TV show, Hell’s Kitchen. The prize: a one-year contract as head chef at the popular Whistler restaurant Araxi.

To celebrate the Season 6 finale, Araxi held a party and invited the final four contestants: Dave, Kevin, Ariel, and Tenille. I was lucky enough to be invited because of my involvement with the show as part of my role with Whistler Blackcomb’s PR department.

The exclusive cocktail party included an oyster bar, hors d’oeuvres, fresh sushi, and an open bar featuring a Hell’s Kitchen cocktail. There were large TV screens set up throughout the restaurant so guests could view the pivotal Hell’s Kitchen episode. Meanwhile, the who’s who of the media were also in attendance, including entertainment reporter Fred Lee and Vancouver lifestyle blogger Miss604.

Photo: Greg Vallentin

But what was it like during those few fleeting hours before the true winner was revealed to an excited crowd?

I arrived at the party firmly set on Dave as the winner, based on his courageous performance with a broken wrist and ability to out-cook his able-bodied competitors. As we mingled with the contestants, I tried to determine who seemed the most confident and happy. It was clear from the start that the crowd favourites were Kevin and Dave. Tenille had been let go the previous episode and the remaining female chef, Ariel, was just one step behind her fellow competitors, though still incredibly talented.

After careful observation, my instincts told me that Kevin was the winner as he seemed upbeat and very content throughout the evening. Minutes before the big reveal, I was even talking to him about snowboarding.

Apparently, my instincts are wrong. In a surprising turn of events, Ramsay announced Dave as the winner on the show and he was brought back into the spotlight – quite literally – as countless flashing cameras captured his victory.

Photo: Greg Vallentin

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I truly feel that the best man won, though my heart does go out to Kevin and Ariel, who got emotional at the end. Hopefully, this show will bring them some amazing opportunities to further their careers.

And for the record, all the contestants seemed super friendly. And no, Tenille doesn’t talk that loud in person. She actually seemed incredibly humble and polite and even told me she loves the term “toque.”

Welcome to Whistler, Dave! And thanks to Shelley McArthur and the rest of the Table Top group for putting on an amazing party!