The GOODS from Kale & Nori

Vancouver, BC | The bus was traveling a little too fast – we could peer out and see fields and fields of sesame seeds, cashews, peanuts and fruit. In the distance, the light pink flower of the sugar cane plants create a blanket over the countryside, as far as the eye can see. Up close, a farmer cuts the cane in half, sharpens a spear and hands it to us. With complete thirst, we chew on the cane. The sugar is unlike anything we’ve tasted before, rich, simple and floral. As we reach our final destination, we take note of this “all green” facility – making rum with cane and grinding leftover cane to power the sugar refinery. What presents itself as a simple nation of simple people turns out to be one of the most intricate operations, employing thousands and thousands of locals. This is Nicaragua, and this is Flor de Cana Rum – an experience unlike anything else. Kale & Nori welcomes Flor de Cana Rum, and the entire line up of products back to Bittered Sling Bistro in September 2012 for two events. Details after the jump…

To purchase tickets: www.legacyliquorstore.com/events

“Bittered Sling Bistro” – a bi-weekly food and cocktail pairing competition dedicated to pushing the boundaries of cocktail craft presented at the beautiful Legacy Liquor Store in Olympic Village, Vancouver. This event is hosted by Kale & Nori’s award-winning mixologist, Lauren Mote and Chef Jonathan Chovancek. This is Vancouver’s longest running and biggest cocktail and food-pairing competition, offering a high level creative event for apprentice and veteran bartenders across British Columbia. This event is proudly sponsored by the Canadian Professional Bartender’s Association.

Lauren Mote starts our evening off, with a unique and palate-cleansing cocktail, with our feature spirit and Bittered Sling Extracts, accompanied by delicious and beautifully paired hors d’oeuvres, in the gorgeous foyer of Legacy Liquor Store. Their vaulted ceilings, spirit displays and living wall create a dynamic setting for this exciting and interactive event. Guests are guided though a bartender-friendly spirit tasting, led by our host bartender, offering up invaluable information about why bartenders love this particular spirit, and what it means to them. The rest of the evening is rather indulgent; Kale & Nori’s Chef Jonathan Chovancek creates a seasonal three course menu, inspired by the feature spirit’s wide range of notes and character, and the addition of a Bittered Sling Extract. Each course is accompanied by a expertly paired cocktail by the host bartender. Following the dinner, our guests will be invited to rate the bartender’s presentation and pairing skills. The top scoring bartenders at the end of the program will compete for a grand prize.This six month program offers 6 veteran and 6 apprentice bartenders their chance to promote their style and character in an creative way. This is all about spirit – in both the bartender and the bottle.

This is all about spirit – in both the bartender and the bottle.

FLOR DE CANA RUM

September’s Competitors & Dinner Schedule:
Wednesday September 12 – Grant Sceney, Fairmont Pacific Rim
Wednesday September 26 – David Wolowidnyk, West Restaurant
Location – Legacy Liquor Store
Time – 7:00pm – 9:30pm
Date – Wednesdays, Twice Monthly
Tickets – available online through Legacy Liquor Store for $60/person (this includes HST and Gratuity).

Menu

Hors d’Oeuvres:

Green alder spiced chickpea fritter stuffed with dates and Meyer lemon – 12 year old rum
marmalade

Smoked pepper crostini, Farmhouse cheese, Okanagan stone-fruit

Plated Dinner:

Corn veloute, Qualicum Beach scallop, sweet and hot peppers, Okanagan espelette creme fraiche

Flor de Cana rum, carrot and ginger braised chicken, spice roasted cauli?ower, cherry wood
smoked onion potato dumplings

Spicy rum caramel apples, dark chocolate puff pastry, Agassiz hazelnut cream

Schedule – Spirit and host bartender schedule will be online through Kale & Nori and the Legacy Liquor Store events page. This program runs from May – October 2012 twice monthly on Wednesdays (exception: Tuesday June 19)

Prizes – each host bartender receives a prize to participate; each host bartender is eligible to win one of two spots in the finals (one night), November 2012. Grand prize for winning host bartender will be announced in November 2012.

Details

Telephone: 604-809-9479
Web: www.kaleandnori.com | Facebook | Twitter
Email: [email protected]

Gallery

The People Who Make It Happen

Owners: Chef Jonathan Chovancek & Lauren Mote

About Kale & Nori

Founded in 2011, Kale & Nori Culinary Arts is a boutique, restaurant-style caterer specializing in healthy, ethical and seasonal cuisine paired with avant-guarde mixology.

Kale & Nori Culinary Arts celebrates the collaboration of highly decorated industry professionals, Chef Jonathan Chovancek and Mixologist/Sommelier Lauren Mote. Our Vancouver based company is dedicated to producing elegant, fun and delicious events, while implementing positive social change through healthy and ethically sourced food and beverage ingredients.

Kale & Nori Culinary Arts creates menus focused on seasonal vegetables and ethical seafoods sourced from Canadian artisans, fishermen and farms with bold global flavours. From glamourous cocktail parties, beautiful wedding receptions and multi-course plated dinners, to interactive client “hands-on” classes and events, each menu and event with Kale & Nori is completely custom. We exist to fulfill the wants needs and of the client to provide the best possible guest experience.