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Digging Into A Roast Chicken Feast Before Service With The “Bufala” Crew

Karima-gets-ready-to-eat

by Ken Tsui | Chef Austin Ratcliffe already put a few chickens on the smoker well before folks gathered around the table for staff meal at Bufala, a popular pizzeria on Vancouver’s West Side. He and head chef Lucas Earthy roast and glaze the smokey birds with a fragrant mixture of molasses, bourbon and rosemary.

And there I was thinking they’d make pizza…

Lucas takes over the chicken as Austin starts the sides. A big pot of creamy polenta lazily boils beside him as gets busy braising collard greens and radishes. As both pots of tasty goodness cook away, he works on a roasted carrot salad, mixing in pesto and topping it off with shredded carrot and a healthy dose of house made ricotta.

With Lucas putting the final touches on the chicken, Austin flavours his polenta with jalapeños and a big spoonful of smokey bacon fat. With the birds finally ready and rested, they’re brought out to the family-style table. Barman Adam Domet takes the opportunity to bring out an incredibly tasty bright pink blend of peach puree, lemon, fragrant tea, bitters and soda to help everyone wash the feast down. Take a bite…

Carving-chicken

  • Austin Ratcliffe
    Austin Ratcliffe
  • Bacon fat is a key ingredient in polenta
    Bacon fat is a key ingredient in polenta
  • Putting chickens in the oven
    Putting chickens in the oven
  • Checking the chicken
    Checking the chicken
  • Braised greens are ready
    Braised greens are ready
  • Lucas checks on the chicken
    Lucas checks on the chicken
  • Glazing the chicken
    Glazing the chicken
  • Finishing touches on polenta
    Finishing touches on polenta
  • Chicken straight out of the oven
    Chicken straight out of the oven
  • Chef Earthy carves chicken
    Chef Earthy carves chicken
  • Carving up some chicken
    Carving up some chicken
  • Putting the salad together
    Putting the salad together
  • Staff puts the carrot salad up
    Staff puts the carrot salad up
  • Carving chicken
    Carving chicken
  • Adam getting drinks ready
    Adam getting drinks ready
  • A crumbling of goat cheese on the salad
    A crumbling of goat cheese on the salad
  • Pouring staff drink
    Pouring staff drink
  • Putting the chicken on the table
    Putting the chicken on the table
  • Passing Plates Around
    Passing Plates Around
  • Doling out the roasted carrots
    Doling out the roasted carrots
  • Karima gets ready to eat
    Karima gets ready to eat
  • Staff dig in
    Staff dig in
  • Snapping a photo
    Snapping a photo
  • A loaded plate
    A loaded plate
  • Plating the chicken
    Plating the chicken
  • Staff dig into the carrot salad
    Staff dig into the carrot salad
  • Adam digs in
    Adam digs in

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