Michael Newberry

I met a new friend in Vancouver, one who I hope will be in my life for a long time to come. His name is Michael Newberry, and he is an internationally renowned artist whose work lights my soul on fire. The vividness of the hues in his paintings is like no other I've seen, and his canvases radiate with luminosity. In the end, I discovered that his paintings are merely a reflection of his soul.

Not surprisingly, Michael and I bonded over cuisine. The first night of the conference he said to me, "Aren't you the gourmet?" Our conversation began there and lasted the rest of the week, transcending art, food, philosophy and a shared passion for life.

My greatest pleasure was to see the joy on Michael's face as he dined with us at Lumiere. His face lit up at the presentation of colors, flavors and textures, and I reveled in seeing him swoon with each course. His sparkling blue eyes gleamed as he appreciated the level of creativity and talent that went into the production of our sumptuous feast. Such sublime moments make life worthwhile.

Thank you Michael, for sharing your luminous soul with me.

Oh, Canada...

I found British Columbia to be the optimal location for a July visit. The air is temperate and dry, and the views are magnificent. My travels took me from the mountain's peak to the water's edge as I meandered through Vancouver, Whistler and Vancouver Island.

The farmer's market in Vancouver is a sight to behold -- every stall is a study in color and texture. I could not believe the variety of exotic ingredients for sale, and was saddened that I did not have a kitchen in which to experiment. It was not so bad to settle for dining out, however, and I delighted in the choices of Thai and Indian restaurants.

Thankfully I was able to work off my decadent meals with plenty of outdoor adventure, and learned that my body is capable of a lot more than I thought. Believe it or not, this princess managed to get within 400 meters of a 14,000 foot mountain peak in Vancouver (my reward was to strap on some heels and a skirt that evening and revel in an eight-course meal). I even pedaled a mountain bike through the hills of Whistler. Ok, I walked it up some of the hills, but we're getting mired in details. Needless to say my body was very thankful for a final few days at the beach on Vancouver Island, doing absolutely nothing.

Naturally the trip had to end with a flourish, so it was off to the Sooke Harbour House at the tip of Vancouver Island. The dining room of this quaint little inn overlooks the water, and I watched the fog cascade over the bay as I sipped my glass of champagne. The menu was a cacophony of flavors, not all of which pleased my palate, but the meal was an exercise in creativity to say the least. I did fall in love with a unique British Columbia wine that tastes like a blend of ice wine and tawny port, but sadly I could not get a bottle in time to bring home. Looks like I have an excuse to go back...

A Feast for the Senses

On my recent trip to Vancouver I hosted a dinner party at Lumiere, a Mobil 5-Star restaurant owned by Chef Rob Feenie. Rob is one of my favorite chefs, and I knew he and his staff would put on a brilliant show for us. Their efforts did not disappoint, as my guests and I were presented with a special eight-course summer menu paired with wines for our feast. We spent the evening in sensory satiation.

As the courses progressed I gazed around the table to view each person's reaction. Some people I knew quite well, others I did not, but I was heartened by their expressions. By the end of the meal, Francisco decided that he actually liked raw oysters, and shook down the garcon for the name of our bottle of tawny port. Michael cooed over each dish, and an expression of pure joy beamed from his baby blues. Marsha actually took more than a sip of wine (much to my delight), and particularly enjoyed the ravioli trio. (What Italian wouldn't?) Her husband John took care of any remaining sips in her glasses, and even came up with a little rhyme to commemorate the evening (this was due to his poetic prowess, not to the wine). Frank and Jeff ruminated philosophically as they savored their courses, and Bill popped up to snap candid photos between bites. Now that's a dedicated photographer.

Midway through the meal I visited the other table to see if everyone was having a good time. The joy on their faces was all I needed to see. Adam and his daughter Emily wore big smiles, and looked as if they were in a culinary wonderland. Jordan and Rita offered to sign up for every future dinner party I hosted. Bob Jr. and Sr. reveled in their dining experience, and had the good fortune of sitting across from Michelle, a delightful, stylish woman with a fine appreciation for cuisine.

There is such a sense of radiant joy to be found in sharing a decadent meal with a group of people whose sense of life and fondness for cuisine mirrors one's own. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to do so, and am eager for the next gastronomic adventure. Cheers to my fellow gourmands!

Here is a recap of our menu:

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Duo of British Columbia Oysters
Chef's Creek with wakame salad & Kuushi with tom yum jelly & wasabi tobiko

Japanese Scallop Ceviche
with watermelon tartare and tomato sorbet

Trio of Ravioli Squash & Truffle Butter, Pea & Lemon Butter, Crab/Prawn & Red Wine Jus

Roasted Magret of Duck with seared foie gras, arugula gnocchi and haricots verts

Roasted Rib Eye of Lamb
with lardons, minted peas a la creme and eggplant caviar

"Le Fromage"
a fine selection of Canadian & imported cheeses, served with fruit and nut bread

Mango Sorbet
with lychee jus

Sticky Toffee Pudding
with pear compote and whipped cinnamon mascarpone

Chocolate and Jelly

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