Les Dames D’Escoffier Present Una Bella Notte Con Lidia Bastianich
Gala Dinner with Chef/Owner/TV Personality Fundraises
For Les Dames d’Escoffier Scholarships
It was an unforgettable evening of Italian food, wine and song for fans of Lidia Bastianich as the BC Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier honoured the Emmy award-winning TV personality, cookbook author and restaurateur. It was a SOLD OUT event on September 23, 2016 at the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver in support Les Dames d’Escoffier’s outreach and scholarship programs. Now, that’s amore!
Una Bella Notte con Lidia began with a Champagne Taittinger Brut Reserve reception followed by a multi-course dinner prepared by Vancouver’s leading chefs with exquisite wine pairings. The evening closed with an after lounge party. The witty and genial Fanny Kiefer raised a glass or two amidst the dinner party chatter as special guests shared their favourite Lidia stories.
In conjunction with the participating luminary chefs, Les Dames member and Executive Chef Margaret Chisholm of Culinary Capers Catering created the following menu for the magical evening of food and wine.
Les Dames D’Escoffier Gala Honours Lidia Bastianich
Reception
Lidia’s Octopus Salad on Potato
Frico, Moscato Poached Pear, Black Pepper Mascarpone
Gnocchi with Rosemary Brined Walnut, Roast Squash and Brown Butter
Margaret Chisholm, Culinary Capers Catering
Champagne Taittinger Brut Reserve
Dinner
Albacore Tuna Tonnato
JC Poirier, Ask for Luigi, Pizzeria Farina and Pourhouse
Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Grilled Sea Scallops, Cauliflower Salad and Green Herbs Coulis
Weimar Gomez, YEW seafood + bar, Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver
Tightrope Winery Riesling 2015
Cannelloni of Chocolate with Duck Confit
Pino Posteraro, Cioppino’s Mediterranean Grill & Enoteca
Tenuta Olim Bauda Rocchette Barbera D’Asti 2013
Mixed Mushroom Carnaroli Risotto
with Truffle, Parmesan, Cherry Reduction, Arugula Pesto
Les Dames alumni and Season 2 Chopped Canada champion, Alana Peckham,
Northwest Culinary Academy of Vancouver/Alligga
Marimar Estate Mas Cavalls Pinot Noir 2008
Lo Stock Farms Squab, Painted Mountain Corn Polenta, Lacinto Kale, Anise
Robert Belcham, Campagnolo and Campagnolo Roma
Tommasi Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso 2014
Primo Bistecca Tagliata
Jean-Claude Douguet, Gotham Steakhouse & Bar
Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot 2013
Chocolate Almond Torte, Poached Pears, Pecan Wafers, Blackberry Ice Cream
Rhonda Viani, West
Taylor Fladgate 10 Year Old Tawny Port
After Lounge
Artisanal Limoncello Cheesecake Gelato
James Coleridge, Bella Gelateria
Terra Serena Prosecco – D.O.C. Treviso and Gillespie’s Fine Spirits Lemoncello
Each guest received a signed copy of Lidia’s cookbook, Mastering the Art of Italian Cuisine as a memento of the evening. All funds raised benefit the outreach and scholarship programs of the BC Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier, including Project CHEF and Growing Chefs!.
Sponsors for the evening included the gracious and generous support of: Global BC, Vintage Corks, Pacific Wine & Spirits, International Cellars Inc., The Wine List, Gillespie’s Fine Spirits, Appetite by Random House, Penguin Random House Canada, Pedersen’s Rentals & Events, Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver, Domenica Fiore, Koncept by Flowerz and Tala Florist.
