Lee’s Pregnant Spot Prawns

The many chefs that I have met over the years like to share they’re favourite meal with someone who has one mission in life and that’s to try something for the first time as many times possible. I resemble that in a big way. I was introduced to Chef Lee who had a humble little industrial kitchen that was handed down from his fathers father. It had one big wok and a few tables for the fishermen. Right down at the old docks at the foot of China town. Lee was in his 80’s and has been cooking since he was 11. Proud of what simple fare he cooks had a huge...

Double Delicious Shrimp Frittata

Double Delicious Shrimp Frittata In 1984 I was at the top of my game and Restaurant Mogul K Chung hired me on to head his new restaurant called “Charade”! This was one of the most stunning contemporary dining rooms during the day and at night turn social bar. The table tops were all marble and the bar was made from mahogany, marble, jade and gold leaf. The flatware was custom embroidered and sided with fine porcelain bone china. A thousand gallon marine aquarium was surrounded by lush tropical landscape. Craftsmen came from all over to paint murals, lay decorative tile...

2022 Chinese New Year Dim Sum

Year of the Tiger! thekitchenman loves to go for Dim Sum but being Chinese New Years it’s gotta be extra special. I have been blown away with many top notch restaurants in BC. It sometimes becomes difficult to experience the best Dim Sum in an untried new all Asian language restaurant. Thank Google for checking out menu items. You get intimidated by the language barrier or the service with attitude approach. Now living here in Ontario the only one so far to a lover of good small exotic portions of simple or complex Chinese dim sum was in Guelph. The waiter took over...

Picnic Ham Roast.

Picnic Ham Roast. My mom would do one of these picnic hams at least a few times a month. She had this old cast iron dutch oven that she would place on a stove top burner on low. The ham pork roast would be washed and set on top of some of her home made stewed tomatoes. She would then use the juices and mix that with a half cup of brown sugar and a quarter cup of yellow mustard. That would be massaged into the ham and poured over top before the lid was closed. All I know is that around supper time the aroma of the ham filled the kitchen and some quick boiled potatoes fried...

Pacific Octopus

Cathy and I were in the celebration mood while visiting Vancouver Island. When Covid hit we were looking for that special top notch restaurant and had four to choose from. Tofino and Ucluelet has some mighty fine dinning establishments that are truly rehearsed and polished. Great food with equally as good libations served with no attitude and a sea side view was what we were looking for. Loads of suggestions were given us from the many island foodie connoisseurs and visiting guests to the island like ourselves looking for the best bang for the buck. When you hear several...