Tim Tams on Canada AM

This morning Canada AM's Jeff Hutcheson learned how to do the Tim Tam Slam. He is heading to Australia for the Best Job in the World contest announcement and there were some essential travel skills that he needed to know before taking off. Thanks to Tourism Australia for working with us to make this happen.

Slam tip #1: as soon as you taste the coffee through the biscuit your have to flip it around and slam it.

Park Royal Tackles Plastic

Based on the findings of a trash analysis conducted by Metro Vancouver, Park Royal Shopping Centre is announcing a plan to tackle its plastic waste. The program, which officially launches on Earth Day (April 22), includes the elimination of 'bad' plastic bags (marked HDPE and LDPE) and the addition of a soft plastics recycling program throughout the Shopping Centre.

The trash inventory was conducted in autumn of 2008 and identified the three leading categories of waste in Park Royal’s garbage: organics, paper and plastic. Upon examining the plastic waste, Metro Vancouver estimated that 278 tonnes of plastic per year could be recycled rather than being sent to the landfill.

“When we saw the numbers, it reaffirmed for us that it was time to take action,” says Cindy Papa, Director of Marketing & Sustainability for the Centre. “We’re beginning by tackling plastics, and we’re looking forward to significantly reducing what we are sending to the landfill.”

Vancouver Magazine Announces Winners of 20th Annual Restaurant Awards

Vancouver, BC; April 15, 2009 – Stars of the B.C. restaurant industry gathered yesterday at the Sheraton Wall Centre for the 20th Annual Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards. The audience of more than 800 included the city’s top chefs, sommeliers and food critics. The event was capped by Cioppino’s/Enoteca winning the event’s top honor, Restaurant of the Year.

“There were some surprises this year,” said Vancouver magazine editor-in-chief Gary Stephen Ross, “which shows that the culinary scene is vital and ever-changing. Even in tough economic times, rooms that get it right quickly become popular with the dining public—and draw the attention of our 19 judges.”

To mark the 20th anniversary of this event, special recognition was given to those who have made a lasting impression on the industry. For his role in making Vancouver a leading culinary destination, the Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Hidekazu Tojo - owner of the legendary Tojo’s. In addition to being given this honour, Tojo’s also won Best Formal Japanese for the 18th consecutive year. Other honourees included Fuel’s Robert Belcham who was awarded Chef of the Year and Robert Clark of C who was given the Green Award.

Other highlights included La Quercia winning Best New Restaurant and Best Casual Italian after its first year in business. Industry legends, Vikram Vij of Vij’s and Michel Jacob of Le Crocodile also won in their respective categories. Vij’s has won Best Indian since the category was created 13 years ago and Le Crocodile has also been a consistent winner having won Best Formal French eight times.

Several categories saw some surprises. For best dining in Whistler, Bearfoot Bistro won the top honour beating nine time winner Araxi. Cru was given the Gold Award in the Best Small Plates category, while five time winner Bin 941/942 took Silver.

For a full list of winners, go to www.vanmag.com/restaurants/Awards

Park Royal Shopping Centre Donates $500,000 to Development of North Shore Spirit Trail

Park Royal Shopping Centre has announced that it is making a $500,000 donation to the North Shore Spirit Trail, a waterfront network of paths and walkways that will connect communities from Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove. The donation marks the first major commitment from a private company to the West Vancouver portion of the Spirit Trail.

"With this donation, the Spirit Trail is off on the right foot," says West Vancouver Mayor, Pamela Goldsmith-Jones. "Park Royal's leadership in sustainability is an asset to the community.

The donation will be earmarked for the construction of a three meter-wide pedestrian structure to be added to the lower road bridge that crosses the Capilano River. The existing bridge connects Bridge Road and Taylor Way on the south side of Park Royal. The funds will also provide for the expansion of the sidewalk on the south side of the Shopping Centre, making the path wider and more accessible. When complete, residents and visitors will be able to hike, run or bike along the 35-kilometre Spirit Trail from one end of the North Shore to the other.