Back in the 70’s, Guinness record ...

  Wayne Conrad Serbu Back in the 70’s I was making my way around Ontario searching out small independent cheese makers that would make artisan branded cheese for a large conglomerate food manufacturer. Millbank Cheese was one of the first I stopped at because of my familiarity being sold at the Galt market. I stopped in and saw that this Giant Cheese being made to be in the Guinness records. After doing my business with the owners I asked what are all the people doing over at that house? Don Tanner’s reply that it was the house of Vera McNichol. Millbank...

Burt Reynolds Monte Cristo Sandwich

Burt Reynolds Monte Cristo Sandwich. On a flight home I was seated next to a gentleman who also was heading to Toronto. We spoke and he just was going to be checking possible locations to set up his food service company for the movie industry. He spoke about his California based company was expanding and he was going to put four of his mobile kitchens to work in Canada. As the conversation grew a position for me to break into motion picture catering was being formed. Months had gone buy and I had forgotten about this gentleman’s proposal when out of the blue he phones and...

Steamer Clams Fresh Oysters and Caviar w...

Meeting Dennis Hopper! I just finished my last shift before some holidays working at the Hotel Vancouver.  I covered lots of shifts from early am till after midnight. It was time for a break and this spring time was mine to do whatever I wished and I figured about a months of traveling in B.C. and eating someone else’s cooking was all I would need to build up my cooking spirits and strengths again. I made it back to Ontario for a quick visit but couldn’t wait to get back to Beach Ave: 1976 I took on a chef position at the Kettle of Fish on Pacific Blvd. My bbq grill...

Ruby Red Grapefruit Cake

My dad being a chef had lots of his pre 1950’s retro recipes that were handed over to me as I mastered them to his specs. He was more concerned about the flavour quality obtained and was not as finicky in the way it’s final presentation. I like to describe my way of being taught baking by my dad as colonial style. Now don’t get me wrong, my father was a very tolerant baker and over his 40 years as a Hotel Chef taught lots of lady bakers to be personal when it comes to making a cake. The fancier you like if you have artistic abilities or the time allotted standard approach...

Sweeties Spaghetti Sauce

From the recipes my Sweetie Once Cooked. Some 30 plus years ago I was a chef on the go and being part of a steady relationship had its share of difficulties. When I met my sweetie, and before I would ask her to share my closet, I had to first find out if she would be comfortable around family and friends. Starting with a road trip to Florida showed me she is an excellent driver and a navigator. We went to some eateries with unusual menu items and soon found that she was also a great dinning companion. A trip to Barbados cemented the relationship. We moved into new digs...

Dinner at Pluvio

  A Chef Sampling at Pluvio with Warren Barr. The best of BC is what I found. The culinary passion that came from the kitchen that evening was delivered with gusto by a well rehearsed kitchen and service staff. Our dinner Entertainment was being seated at the kitchen theater window, observing Pluvios talented team preparing each well rehearsed plate with exacting precision. From the first sip to the last nibble I was taken on a culinary journey that only a passionate chef could orchestrate and deliver perfectly executed.