Try these wild dishes and save a salmon

Here and Now column by Dan Hilborn
Published May 15, 2004


John Garrett, the executive chef of Horizons Restaurant on Burnaby Mountain, has once again had some of his most wondrous delicacies commemorated in a cookbook that is helping to raise money for a good cause.

Garrett is one of three celebrity chefs whose best wild salmon recipes have been included in a cookbook that is raising money for the Pacific Salmon Foundation.

Everything You Wanted To Know About Wild B.C. Salmon includes recipes such as crispy wild B.C. red spring salmon tempura, curried salmon and shitake mushroom springrolls and smoke salmon with crab cake. Garrett includes such recommendations as his use of yellow heirloom tomatoes in his accompanying salsa.

The two other featured chefs in the book are Dan Atkinson of The Salmon House, and Mario Fortin of Aqua Riva. The cookbooks are available for anyone who makes a donation at the three participating restaurants from May 10 to June 30, when each of them features salmon entrees for just $17 apiece.

The PSF is a not-for-profit organization committed to protecting, conserving and rebuilding Pacific salmon populations through habitat restoration, and stock assessment. One of the most ambitious projects undertaken by the group is the Tod Creek Fishway which will allow coho salmon to traverse a dam at Butchart Gardens in Victoria, and use up to 10 more kilometres of stream habitat.

GETTING A CHARGE

Hua Chen, his family and several friends spending a dream weekend at Walt Disney World in Florida, thanks to the Unlock the Magic Contest sponsored by Visa.

Hua was one of eight grand prize winners from across Canada, and more than 2,000 winners from around the world, who won the four-day trip to the famous resort and theme park.

"When I found out I'd won, it was such a huge surprise," Hua said. "My family and I have always talked about going to Walt Disney World, so this is a dream come true for us. We're really looking forward to relaxing and enjoying beautiful sunny Florida."

Hua, his family and guests will enjoy at three-night stay at the resort, four days of unlimited admission to Walk Disney World theme parks, plus an after-hours party at the Magic Kingdom Park complete with access to rides.

Congrats.

SERVICE IN AFGHANISTAN

Doug Matthews of Pacific Show Productions in Burnaby is turning heads in the competitive business of event management.

His firm was nominated for the producer of the year award at the Canadian Events Industry Awards gala held late last month at the Hyatt Regency in Vancouver.

Matthews was nominated for a variety show that he put together to entertain the Canadian military troops serving in Afghanistan. The show brought Shaun Verreault of Wide Mouth Mason, pop star Janajana, country singer Adam Gregory, performances by Rock, Paper Scissors and comedian Dave Broadfoot to the steppes of the war-torn central Asian country.

Another better known Burnaby firm walked away with one of the most prestigious awards from the show. B.C. Event Management, a perennial winner, won for the most outstanding event from $100,000 to $300,000 for its presentation of Cirque Pacific.