“We Heart Local” Chocolate Taste-Off: Cutthroat Competition

January 26, 2011 By

*UPDATE*

THE CHOCOLATE TASTE-OFF FINALS: Thomas Haas v. Mink Chocolates v. Chocolate Arts v. ChocolaTas –>

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This was my view when news that my chocolate judging abilities were desired for Eat Drink Be Local‘s first annual ‘We Heart Local Chocolate Taste-Off’.

I’d been planning a post-holiday health kick (to counter the daily happy hour of tortilla chips and guacamole), although it was instantly thrown out the window for this: round one of chocolate competition –>

And here’s round two: Mink Chocolates v. Chocolate Arts –>

Stay tuned for the winner of Eat Drink Be Local’s first annual Chocolate Taste-Off, to be announced on Valentine’s Day!

Taste-off competitors:

Taste-off  judges:

  • Randy Shore, Food Editor at Vancouver Sun & The Green Man blogger
  • Mark Docherty, News Anchor at Citytv’s Breakfast TV
  • Fred Lee, Vanhattan’s Man About Town, ‘UnLEEshed’ (Vancouver Courier, National Post, & CBC’s Early Edition)

For all contest details, head to Eat Drink Be Local’s website here. You can also follow the contest’s clever creators (Alix and Cindy) on Twitter: @eatdrinkbelocal.

And tune in to Virgin 95.3 on Saturday, February 5th for my Valentine’s Day chocolate chat with host Simone Grewal.

Until round two…

Ciao for now!

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Zantac’s Chili Challenge With Food Network’s Anthony Sedlak

January 25, 2011 By

When asked to judge the Zantac Chili Challenge semi-finals — the second to last stage in a nationwide competition for the best chili recipe — I excitedly checked my calendar to see if I was free. I wasn’t. But, of course, I rearranged my schedule. How does one say no to such an opportunity?

Image courtesy of Bayne Stanley Photography | www.baynestanley.com

Image courtesy of Bayne Stanley Photography | www.baynestanley.com

The spicy event was held at one of my all-time favorite food spots: The Dirty Apron. Also judging the chili, prepared live by semi-finalists from across Western Canada, were Food Network Canada’s Anthony Sedlak and Rebecca Bollwitt (pictured above).

Here are the three aficionados who vied for a spot in the Zantac Chili Challenge finals, happening in Toronto this February.

*Chili images courtesy of Miss 604.

The showdown was painfully close. In the end, Lorie (with her sour cream and mango topped pork hock flavored stew) was victorious. She’ll move on to compete against undefeated Zantac Chili Challenge champion, Mike Callaghan, for the grand prize: a trip to the birthplace of chili, the Mayan Riviera.

Another event perk (aside from sampling the comforting creations) was receiving Kitchen Scraps, a humorous illustrated cookbook by chili aficionado #3, Pierre Lamielle. If half his recipes are as delicious as his chili was, this book will become my new favorite. You can follow Pierre on Twitter here.

For more event pics, you can view Miss 604′s Flickr stream here.

To read about my latest to die for discovery in Gastown, click here.

Ciao for now!

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Win: The Ugliest Christmas Sweater Ever

December 18, 2010 By

The combined ugliness of all ugly Christmas sweaters found at your typical ugly Christmas sweater party doesn’t compete against this ugly Christmas sweater, made exclusively for itstodie4.com by Kyle Reagan of christmassweaters.ca – proud makers of the world’s ugliest and tackiest holiday attire.

Would you not LOVE to arrive at your next Christmas party wearing this exclusive piece? If you can’t quite make out the lights on the bejeweled tree, I can assure you, they’re there…as is the big battery pack that keeps them glowing, all night long.

Enter to win this very ugly, one size fits all sweater by commenting on this pic — here on Facebook — with your idea of how it could possibly be made uglier. Which accessory or sparkly item would you add to it? Let’s get creative.

The winner will be announced on Wednesday, December 22nd, just in time for the big day.

*UPDATE*

Our lucky winner is Bob Simpson! Congrats, Bob. I hope he gets some great use out of this ugly sweater.

You should join the Christmas Sweaters Facebook page here, and sign up here for first dibs on Kyle’s ghastly 2011 collection!

Good luck & ciao for now.

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Christmas Giveaway Contest from Earls & Itstodie4.com

December 8, 2010 By

If holiday shopping sucks every ounce of energy from your body (as it does mine), you’ll be excited to hear about my latest giveaway contest with Earls. Watch this video message for details and let me know what you think of the festive outfit:

Contest Details

Prize: Eleven $20 Earls Restaurant gift cards – one for you and ten of your friends!

How to enter:

  • ‘Like’ this video blog post on Facebook (at the top).
  • For an extra entry, comment on that post with the number of Christmas bows I’m wearing in the video! We know, this is a tricky question.

Good luck! The contest winner will be announced on Monday, December 20th – just in time for Christmas.

*UPDATE*

Thanks to a friendly old stranger, we have our winner! See video announcement:

Follow Earls on Twitter here to stay tuned for their next great giveaway contest.

Ciao for now and Merry Christmas!

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Win a $750 Gift Basket Featuring BC’s Beautiful Thompson Okanagan

November 22, 2010 By

*We have a winner for the $750 prize pack from Thompson Okanagan Tourism! –>

As their 95 character Twitter bio asks us, ‘where in the world can you ski, play a round of golf, horseback ride, tour a historic site, and visit a winery all in one day, but the fabulous Thompson Okanagan?’ Other than the glorious, olive oily land of Italia…probably nowhere. And why suffer through hospital-like trays of airplane food en route to Europe, when you can hop in your ride, stop in Merritt for your favorite, junky, gas station snack, and arrive at your destination five hours later?

French toast with bacon - a sinfully delicious meal you could enjoy on your getaway

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association has put together a special prize pack ringing in at an estimated $750 — and it’s up for grabs!

The basket includes:

Here’s how to enter:

  • Recommend a good book to me by commenting on this photo, taken on an Okanagan dock (for one entry): http://on.fb.me/f3LsA1
  • Leave a comment on this post detailing a similarity between the Thompson Okanagan and Italy or tell me why you love wine (for another entry)
  • Post the following to Twitter (for a third entry): RT to enter to win a $750 gift pack including overnight stays in the Thompson Okanagan from @totamedia & itstodie4.com! http://bit.ly/gUhrPk

The lucky winner will be announced on Tuesday, November 30th – GOOD LUCK!

If you love food and giveaway contests, you should follow me on Twitter here.

Ciao for now.

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Glowbal Group Pancake Eat Off Recap

October 27, 2010 By

It was a drizzly Sunday in Yaletown when Katharine Horsman and I showed up to Glowbal Grill for the Pancake Eat Off fundraiser that we’d been training for – she wearing a pancake-inspired hat, and I with a warm-up slice of banana bread.

We were thrilled with the turn-out. Supportive family, friends, and fellow Tweeters crowded onto the enclosed patio to view the intense fifteen minute contest.

A few requests before beginning: Katharine felt a few sides of bacon would add a nice savory touch to our pancake eating experience (I agreed), and I ordered strawberry balsamic and banana chocolate, as opposed to plain, for my game time pancakes.

*Please note the 16 pancakes in my stomach at the time of this below image.

Glowbal Group TV Presents: The Pancake Duel from Glowbal Group on Vimeo.

Total money raised for Union Gospel Mission: $740!  Huge thanks to Glowbal Group for hosting such a fun event and to everyone for joining in support.  Let’s do it again!?

Lastly, a special thank you to my brave and beautiful competitor, Katharine Horsman, who truly had me wondering if she’d be the one to take me down. I’m looking forward to meeting her again on the battlefield, if she’s up for it.

Ciao for now.

**Images at top courtesy of Leah Gregg, UGM

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Win a $100 Gift Certificate to Lift Bar & Grill

October 21, 2010 By

Have you tried Lift Bar & Grill’s melt-in-your mouth Umincho Bowl?  It’s perfect date food, drizzled with chili sesame mayo, ponzu, and sweet soy sauces – all easy on the breath!

To enter the contest:

Easy enough!? The contest ends Monday, November 1st at 9am – the winner will be announced one hour later.

And discover more reasons why this oceanfront restaurant is the perfect date spot here, on the If He Only Knew website.

Good luck!

Ciao for now.

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Glowbal Group Pancake Eat Off: Erin vs. Katharine

October 20, 2010 By

It’s been five years since my competitive volleyball days ended and I’m itching for a challenge.  Since my special talent is eating, I proposed a pancake eat off…

To my surprise, the slim and beautiful Katharine Horsman (not the type I’d expect to bring any sort of competition to the table) responded…

So, early one morning after a typical breakfast (dozen eggs + box of All-Bran), I sent her a video message back:

One day prior to the main event, Katharine responded to my response with yet another video in which she details her Pancake Eat Off preparations and reveals her pump up song:

battle mode. pancakes a la mode from katharine horsman on Vimeo.

And on the eve of the big day, I sent Katharine one last message:

Will you come witness me beat Katharine this Sunday?  You’ll also be supporting a good cause…

What: Pancake Eat Off at Glowbal Grill – You can order some for yourself in support of the Union Gospel Mission.  Choose from strawberry balsamic (mmm!) or banana chocolate.

When: Sunday, October 24 at 1:00 pm

Where: Glowbal Grill, 1079 Mainland Street

Who: Me vs. Vancouver actor and stylist Katharine Horsman

Why: Pancakes by donation with 100% proceeds to Union Gospel Mission

Seating is going like hot cakes!  Call 604-602-0835 to make a reservation.

Ciao for now.

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Rocky Mountaineer: Luxurious Train Ride At Your Fingertips

September 3, 2010 By

The Rocky Mountaineer passing through Porteau Cove

Dangerously narrow and winding?  The real reason BC’s Sea To Sky Highway is so treacherous (despite its Olympic reconstruction) is its breathtaking view, just a quick, risky peek away. A scenic train trip on the award-winning Rocky Mountaineer® is much safer and allows you to stare (in awe) for as long as you like.

If the view’s your focus, you should avoid BC’s most luxurious train’s dining menu, which will certainly distract.  Created by four renowned chefs (boasting Michelin star experience), the gourmet cuisine rivals the stunning vista.  Ahem, see below:

Pappardelle Pasta with Lamb Sausage

Slow Roasted Alberta Bison

Dessert Platter complete with mini chocolate Rocky Mountaineer

As a thank you to my readers for all the support, I’m giving away the following trip, also brought to you by Rocky Mountaineer®:

The Prize

Enter to win a round-trip rail journey on the historic route from Vancouver to 2010′s Olympic mountain in Whistler Classic Service for two from Rocky Mountaineer® and Itstodie4.com.  The vacation includes round-trip travel on-board the Rocky Mountaineer train, breakfast, a light (yet delicious) meal, non-alcoholic beverages, and rail station transfers in Vancouver and Whistler.  Prize retails at approximately $438.

How To Enter – It’s Very Easy

Complete the following three steps:

1. Which former NHL all-star recently opened a restaurant in Gastown?  Find the answer on this site and make a comment (anything goes!) on that post.

2. At which hotel would you win a FREE one-night stay thanks to Rocky Mountaineer’s amazing offer (valid until September 27, 2010)?  Click here for details on the exclusive deal and to find the answer (any of the hotels listed work!).  You must comment on this post with the hotel name. *Note: I’ll be keeping your responses private to prevent from copying!

3.  Either follow me & RT details of this contest on Twitter or join my Facebook page here.

UPDATE

Contest closes at 12:00am, September 15th.

I will film the draw (paper bag style) that same afternoon, and then call the lucky person to inform them of their win.  You better be ready for a phone interview!  Check this site tomorrow to see if your hopes of winning are over (or to relive the special moment and listen to your shrieks of delight) by watching the video.

THE WINNER IS ANNOUNCED LIVE ON THE AIR…WE WOKE HER UP WITH THE GOOD NEWS!!!

You should follow Rocky Mountaineer on Twitter here.

Good luck to all!

Ciao for now

*Prize is not transferable and is not redeemable for cash.  Your round-trip tickets are valid during Rocky Mountaineer’s 2011 summer season (May to September).

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