The Award-Winning 2020 Oculus:  A Canadian Milestone
Helen Siwak on 06/16/2025

The Award-Winning 2020 Oculus: A Canadian Milestone

The 2020 Oculus stands as a crowning achievement for Mission Hill Family Estate, earning the first-ever perfect 100-point score for a Canadian red wine. This landmark accolade, awarded by renowned wine writer and sommelier John Schreiner, affirms both the winery’s vision and the Okanagan Valley’s place on the global stage. Schreiner lauded the wine as a “tour de force,” highlighting its persistent finish and flawless execution.

H Helen Siwak
Chef Chanthy Yen:  Leading Vancouver’s Culinary Renaissance
Helen Siwak on 06/15/2025

Chef Chanthy Yen: Leading Vancouver’s Culinary Renaissance

If you are plugged into the Vancouver food scene, chances are you have already heard the name Chanthy Yen. As of 2025, Chef Chanthy holds the title of Culinary Director for Kitchen Table Group, where he oversees 14 beloved restaurant concepts across the city—from the Michelin-recommended Bacaro to neighbourhood gems like

H Helen Siwak
A celebration of flavour at Botanist: NATURE REFINDED
Helen Siwak on 06/15/2025

A celebration of flavour at Botanist: NATURE REFINDED

Within the Fairmont Pacific Rim, Vancouver’s award-winning Botanist restaurant continues to define excellence with a menu that is as rooted in the Pacific Northwest as the towering cedars that line its coast. This spring, Executive Chef Hector Laguna unveiled a masterful seasonal expression—an ode to nature’s rebirth, executed with elegance and a deep respect for the land.

Helen Siwak