Wine and Dine British Columbia

Ann Turner is the financial and budget manager of the University of
British Columbia Library.

Beautifully designed as a coffee-table book celebrating British
Columbia’s culinary richness and diversity, this multifaceted
production is also a fully functional cookbook, an ambassador for the
food and hospitality industries, and a fundraising project for the new
Vancouver library’s capital campaign. Sponsors include Cortina Foods,
many other B.C. food producers and distributors, and the province’s
major marketing associations.

Tourists and residents alike are encouraged to explore the fine dining
opportunities at the more than 50 participating restaurants. Information
for diners includes the restaurant’s address and telephone number;
hours of operation and price range; a description of its special
characteristics and ambience; and a brief biography and picture of its
featured chef.

The chef’s choice recipes, highlighting B.C. products, is clearly
presented using imperial measures. It is accompanied by a full-page,
full-color photograph of the dish, and a VQA-

approved B.C. wine recommendation. The food styling and photography are
superb.

Well-known B.C. personalities also participated in this project and
contributed favorite recipes as “Celebrity Chefs.” Their
contributions are accompanied by the celebrity’s biography and views
on B.C. and its products. There are indexes to the restaurants by
region, and to the recipes by type. Supplementary information includes a
guide to B.C. wine, beer, and cider makers, and directories of hotels,
wine stores, and travel-information centres. This ambitious project
involved a cast of hundreds, if not thousands, united in promoting
B.C.’s food and hospitality industries in a most appealing way. The
result is a feast for the eye as well as the palate.