The Tasting Room seemed to me to be a no brainer. I take the daily conversations between chefs, sommeliers, wine growers/owners/makers, writers, artisans and throw in the occasional celebrity and see how the mix works. The Tasting Room is the radio version of an audio blend, a Meritage for the soul.

I am talking about the art of wine and food and how almost all of us, whether we know it or not, are connected to their creation. I know a little bit about wine and food, but like to think I know a lot about people and my own art - conversation. So, if you want to join in, listen and demystify the world of wine along with me as I learn, you can learn too.

The Tasting Room is produced in association with…

www.barkleyhaven.com

www.deepfreezepro.com

Hollywood and Vines Season 2 - click on link to watch trailer! www.hollywoodandvinestv.com

Jason Priestley, TDM and Producer Chad Oakes

Wayne Gretzky, comedian Sean Cullen, a busload of Belgians are taking over Beatty street in Vancouver.

Shambar, Café Medina and Dirty Apron Cooking School.

Then its off to Victoria..Guests include Iron Chef/Thirsty Traveler Kevin Brauch, competing Chefs Ito from the Empress Hotel and Matt Batey from Mission Hill.

John Simes, winemaker at Mission Hill and the greatest little fish shack on Vancouver island as featured on NBC ..Red Fish Blue Fish.

THE SHOW

As you all know, The 2010 Olympic Winter Games just wrapped up in Vancouver and Whistler.

We take the microphone back into the very centre of the party..The Molson Hockey Centre.

Who do we find? Craig McDonald, The winemaker from Wayne Gretzky Wines and then the man himself Wayne Gretzky!! www.gretzky.com/wine

They were pouring their new wines but all anyone wanted to talk about was – HOCKEY.

Number 99 is in the Tasting Room.

Every Molson Beer Hall needs a Ringmaster..and the 2010 set-up demanded a seasoned pro – thus we find in a corner Sean Cullen.

I first met Sean as a member of Corky and the Juice Pigs, a brilliant improve trio. They were busking in Vancouver, trying to get people to their show at the Commodore..much like when Circus’ parade the sideshow “characters” down the main drag.

Sean is one funny man..but he’s also growing as an actor (The Producers/ Shaw Festival) He knows his wines too. Have a laugh with Sean.

I spent a number of years on Beatty Street shooting Much Music West..On the ground floor was a pool hall but not any longer.

There are three very successful restaurants down there..

Shambar, Café Medina and the Dirty Apron Cooking School.

All are the brainchild of owner/chef Nico Schuermans and his wife Karri. The concept of fine dining in a relaxed atmosphere has been wildly successful. www.chambar.com

Right next door is Café Medina, voted the best brunch in Vancouver.

Perfect for breakfast or lunch..it could easily be downtown Paris, London or New York. www.medinacafe.com and next door to Medina is The Dirty Apron Cooking School and store.

Classes have been swamped ever since they opened the doors. You’ll be surprised to know who’s signing up for classes. www.dirtyapron.com

A two part interview with Nico Schuermans, David Robertson and Robbie Kane!!

Hour Two

Off to Victoria and The Empress Hotel. www.fairmont.com/empress Mission Hill Estate wines along with the hotel organized a food and wine competition between The hotel’s executive chef Takashi Ito and Matt Batey from Mission Hill Estate.

We start in The Bengal Lounge with the Thirsty Traveler himself Kevin Brauch, from Iron Chef America. He gives us the rundown on what is about to happen.

Then Chefs Ito and Batey in mid-prep..

Then it’s the man himself, head Winemaker at Mission Hill Family Estates John Simes. www.missionhillwinery.com

Keep in mind, he’s running The Canadian Winery of the Year, not bad for a transplanted Kiwi.

Then its two blocks down from the hotel for a visit with Sebastian Lucero and Lesley Brown from Artisan Wine Shop. www.artisanwineshop.ca

For many visitors to Victoria, this is their one contact with the BC wine industry.

And finally its down to the docks at the foot of Broughton and the best little fish shack on the island Red Fish Blue Fish..yes, that’s the one featured on NBCs morning show last week.

The New Yorkers loved the food so much, they stood in line so long they missed their float plane flight back to Vancouver and then came back later to do a story on them.

Kunal Ghose and Simon Sobolewski take 10 minutes and explain why this great little kitchen on the docks is so popular.
www.redfish-bluefish.com

Next Week

Alain and Brigitte Raye from the incredible La Regalade in West Vancouver.