Why the food at Vancouver Trade & Convention Centre is, well, unconventional

Blair Rasmussen's Serrano-wrapped pork loin and espelette brandy prawn, Tim Pawsey photo

We reckon we’ve eaten our fair share of meals on the rubber chicken circuit. But I don’t know why I’m even saying that here, because the food at Vancouver Trade & Convention Centre is just about as far removed from standard convention fare as you can possibly imagine.

Last week’s Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival Trade Days Luncheon was a prime example.

The meal itself is always a politely frenzied affair, with 650-plus folks from all over the wine world in attendance, all wanting to taste everyone’s wine within a five table radius … and get through the proceedings in time to head for their pouring station in the tasting room.

We figure Vancouver Trade & Convention Centre executive chef Blair Rasmussen is the most under-the-radar chef in town. Yet he probably cooks for more people during the year than anyone else.

He had me at the Ocean Wise trio: BC tuna with crispy fennel, Vancouver Island Scallop with papaya and cilantro, and BC Halibut with truffle oil—which I enjoyed with gently citrus and peach toned Evans & Tate Margaret River Metricup Road 2010 Chardonnay (BCLS $19.99). The tuna was also a good fit with gooseberry toned Marisco The Ned Marlborough 2011 Sauv Blanc (BCLS $14.99) It’s a deal.
You can tell it was good: I forgot to grab the shot.

And the main course of serrano wrapped Berkshire pork loin and prawn was pretty amazing too.

What a rock star!

And such a nice guy to boot …

VTCC executive chef Blair Rasmussen (l) with visiting chef Tony Lawrence, Tim Pawsey photo

About the Author: Tim Pawsey

Tim has been covering the food and wine revolution for about 20 kilos. Count 15 kg alone thanks to the blossoming cuisine and wine culture of British Columbia, Canada. His awards include: BC Restaurant Assn. Hall of Fame, Okanagan Wine Festivals Harry McWatters Founder's Award, BC Wine Growers Industry Recognition Award, Vancouver International Wine Festival Spirited Industry Professional award. Tim’s hallmark is seeking out and recommending value wines from BC and around the world that offer quality at every level. He also scopes out noteworthy restaurants that live up to their promises—and often over deliver. For several decades Tim wrote columns in the Vancouver Courier and North Shore News. He currently contributes to several magazines, including BCLS Taste, Vitis and others. Tim is a frequent judge for wine competitions and was a founding judge of The BC Lieutenant Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Wine. He is frequently invited to judge at The BC Wine Awards, and others. Tim has traveled to taste in many of the world’s leading wine regions, across Europe, in North America, Argentina and Chile, Australia and New Zealand, and South Africa.