Sam Sifton NY Times Food Editor: Food and Politics
DJ Kearney – on NewDistrict.ca
Vikram Vij – VIJ. The Life and The Book
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
THE SHOW
The New York Times culinary writers last week spent 7 days focusing on Canadian cooking.
Sam Sifton, food editor for The Times lead the team.
Sam Sifton NYT -David McMillan – Joe Beef
In Toronto they were taken with the many Syrian refugees who landed in Canada and immediately started cooking Syrian food to an interested clientele. It’s not something they would see south of the border. Politics would be involved “down there”.
The team also went to Montreal and met with David McMillan, the famous chef and co-owner of Joe Beef/Liverpool House.
David McMillan – Joe Beef
Certainly about the food but also about the unique politics involved in French Canadian cooking.
They’re very protective of Quebecoise cooking and nobody muddles those waters better than David. He brings British influences into the mix and politically that’s a no no.
Sam also sent Food Critic. Pete Wells to Vancouver to review Kissa Tanto.
This is a very engaging conversation (mainly on Sam’s part) as the dialogue ebbs and flows around people, places and things.
A two part interview with Sam Sifton that also includes a brief but involved discussion about – The New York Times – as a headline. As a story unto itself. Being repeatedly called out by The President of the USA.
My first question is “what’s it like in the building these days”?
DJ Kearney – Director of Wine NewDistrict.ca
DJ Kearney
Deej is one of the key tastemakers in Canada and most certainly on The West Coast.
She is now making waves as the Director of Wine at NewDistrict.ca
It’s a store and a wine-on-line destination.
Many many wine fans believe in her taste and instincts.
DJ judges, lectures and instructs but what she does best is choose wines for all of us to consider.
Frankly, I’m like many wine fans. If it’s OK with DJ it’s OK with me.
This week DJ runs through recent choices and wine trends we should know about.
Vikram Vij – VIJ A chef’s one-way ticket to Canada with Indian spices in his suitcase
Vij – The Book
This interview takes us behind the legendary culinary and tv figure that we all know now.
Back to the very beginning..life in India. Coming to Canada… overcoming all odds to eventually open his own restaurant. It’s a fascinating story. So many hurdles to cross and hoops to jump. Fragrant with the smells of cumin, turmeric fennel and cloves, Vij reveals the story of Vikram Vij, one of Canada’s most celebrated chefs and entrepreneurs.
Co-owner of the world-famous Vij’s Restaurant in Vancouver, his story is a true rags-to-riches tale of a college dropout from northern India who made it to Europe’s temples of high cuisine, then with a one-way ticket bound for Canada, found fame serving some of the world’s most transcendent Indian cuisine.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON
Harry Hertscheg – Update n the VanWineFest
Bill Jones – Deerholme farm gears up for Foraging classes
Victoria Whisky Festival
Van Wine Fest – 2 One hour specials