Scout is set to expand next month with a new look, new features, several new contributors, and more editorial responsibilities for some of our veteran writers, namely Sean Orr and Stevie Wilson. Though we are very satisfied with the website’s layout and aesthetic, we feel that it’s nevertheless time for a refresh that will incorporate some functionality updates and enhance the many new features that we have planned. We’re going to keep these new features and updates close to our chests until the new version of Scout launches in March, but we’re thrilled to introduce you to the new team members who will start going to press this week.

1. SHAUN LAYTON | Spirits | Follow on Twitter & Instagram | Shaun Layton is Scout’s new spirits writer. Born and raised in Vancouver, Layton has helped to maintain a top notch bar scene in Vancouver over the last decade (and since day one at Gastown’s L’Abattoir, where he is the Bar Manager). He also runs his own bar consulting company, designing programs and training staff for small and big restaurants in Vancouver and as far away at St.John’s, Newfoundland. Layton has competed and travelled throughout the USA and Europe, touring distilleries, breweries and bars. He was recognized in 2012 as the Bartender of The Year by Vancouver Magazine.

2. TREVE RING | Wine | Follow on Twitter | Treve Ring will be covering the world of wine for Scout. She is a wine journalist and judge with an alphabet of diplomas. A certified sommelier, she shares her knowledge of wine and like bevies through the (often wryly) written word. She is an in-demand wine journalist, speaker and consultant, and one of Canada’s national wine judges and critics. In addition to her role at Scout, Treve is the Drink Editor of EAT Magazine, the BC Regional Editor and Senior Travel Writer for SIP Northwest Magazine, and the Contributing Wine Critic for WineAlign. When not tasting at The Trevehouse, she is on the road, working her way through visiting and tasting every wine region worldwide – a seemingly and fortuitously endless goal.

3. GRADY MITCHELL | Arts & Culture | Follow on Twitter & Instagram | Grady Mitchell is a writer and photographer based in Vancouver’s Strathcona neighbourhood. He will be covering the city’s arts and culture scene, seeking out people who are doing something new, different, and difficult. He’s written and/or taken photos for Sharp, Flare, ION, The Queens Alumni Review, The Lab Magazine, Color, Chart Attack and a bunch of other publications. Please don’t try to touch his bellybutton. He’s got a weird thing about it. You can see more of his work here.

4. KEN TSUI | Food | Follow on Twitter & Instagram | Ken Tsui is a filmmaker and edible pop-up event producer who was raised in a Chinese-Canadian restaurant. He works hard at whatever he tries. For Scout, he will be covering Vancouver’s inexhaustible supply of hole in the wall eateries. Whether he’s making a documentary on a model plane fanatic, directing a music video for Defektors, setting up a Twin Peaks pop-up coffee and pie shop, serving folks at Eat Together suppers, transforming neighbourhood coffee shops into temporary street food stalls, or helping to re-invigorate the Chinatown Night Market, he’s always doing it full-on with a smile. He currently spends his spare time cracking jokes on a podcast called “On Second Thought” and has developed a reputation for being a surprisingly competent dance machine.

5. REBECCA SLAVEN | Field Trips | Follow on Instagram & Twitter | Rebecca Slaven is a librarian, writer, and cyclist. She’s the only one of the above contributors to already made an impression on Scout, having joined the team just after Christmas. Her subject specialities include law, beauty, and croquet. Her format specialty is the how-to guide. She mostly rides her bike to work but has cycled as far as San Francisco.

6. LUIS VALDIZON | Photography & Film | Follow on Twitter & Instagram | Luis Valdizon is a Vancouver-based multidisciplinary creative. We are thrilled to have him join us because we have been huge fans of his since we first came across his photographs of Le Marche St. George a couple of years ago. His guiding philosophy is this: “In order for my city to matter to me, I need to matter to my city. ” Thus, through art direction, design, photography and film, he has begun to uncover the character of interesting small businesses and the people behind them on his new website, When They Find Us.

Finally, we want to thanks all of the many (hundreds!) of people who applied for the positions that we advertised. There were some great applications submitted! We only wish that we had more room. Hopefully, the inertia of this expansion will create some!

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