PERFECT PAIRINGS: Every year, Vancouver Magazine hosts one of the city’s most anticipated food and wine events in the city. Big Night celebrates winning restaurants from the publication’s annual restaurant awards with top wines from its yearly list tasted and ranked by some of the best palettes in the country. A capacity crowd gathered at the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel, moving from station to station filling their glasses and plates with B.C’s best. Proceeds from the gastronomic gala supported Les Dames d’Escoffier, a society of professional women promoting the understanding, appreciation and knowledge of food, wine and hospitality and advancement of women in the industry.
THEY SHOOT, KIDS SCORE: Hockey moms and dads gathered for the Vancouver Thunderbird Minor Hockey Association’s annual fundraiser to raise funds to keep hockey fees for the 72-team organization as low as possible. A capacity crowd gathered at the Hellenic Centre for the off-ice action, steered by Natalie Clancy, Joyce Gillespie and Jim Strang. Live music, great food and an array of auction items greeted gala-goers at the black-and-white-themed charity dinner. Yours truly fronted the spirited live auction of one-of-a-kind experiences. Ice time with Canuck’s Henrik Sedin and former Canuck Kevin Bieksa fetched the evening’s top bids contributing to a record $50,000 raised for the venerable league.
MONKEY BUSINESS: More than 800 people ushered in the Year of the Monkey at the Tapestry Foundation’s signature Feast of Fortune fundraiser, held at the Westin Bayshore Hotel. Chaired by Margaret Chiu, Paul Oei and Heather Pei Huang, the annual affair, sponsored by the Courier, combined fine dining and entertainment with fundraising auctions for partygoers to pledge their support for priority equipment needs at Mount St. Joseph Hospital. After a royal repast, attendees, including foundation CEO Ann Adams and Providence Health Care CEO Dianne Doyle, helped raise a record $845,000 for the venerable hospital on Prince Edward Street, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. Since the dinner’s inception in 2008, more than $3.8 million has been generated for MSJ’s priority needs.
