Category Archives: reviews

The “un-edited” version: Toronto & BarChef

Posted on August 5, 2010 by Lauren Mote

One of the coolest experiences in a bartender’s career is the ability to reach beyond the bar. You may be lightning fast with your head down during a Friday night well service, or you might be the best at pumping … Continue reading →

Posted in cocktail competitions, travel | Tagged aaron gaulke, barchef, chef claudio aprile, david wolowidnyk, diageo, fabien maillard, frankie solarik, jonathan chovancek, kevin brauch, lauren mote, nishan, origin restaurant, rob montgomery, wes galloway | 1 Comment

Nolet Pratt – Competition Cocktail

Posted on July 15, 2010 by Lauren Mote

Although the posting to reflect on the entire experience of the competition itself, here is the recipe for my cocktail, the Nolet Pratt, which won second place on Tuesday night in the National Barchef Competition. The Nolet Pratt cocktail was … Continue reading →

Posted in cocktail competitions, cocktails, recipes, spirits | Tagged barchef, holland, jonathan chovancek, ketel one, lauren mote, nolet pratt, noyaux, orgeat, toronto, vermouth | 1 Comment

The Cocktail Kitchen Series

Posted on June 29, 2010 by Lauren Mote

The Refinery, known for having one of the most innovative cocktail programs in Canada, is now proud to launch a six month interactive and educational competition called “The Cocktail Kitchen Series”. Due to launch on July 8th 2010, “The Cocktail … Continue reading →

Posted in cocktail competitions, cocktails, events | Tagged ben de champlain, cocktail kitchen series, colin macdougall, david bain, lauren mote, the refinery | 1 Comment

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

Posted on June 8, 2010 by Lauren Mote

by Lauren Mote (all photos by the gifted Melissa Gidney of Melissa Gidney Photography) Although completely inspired by Lewis Carrol’s book, the adventures shared on June 06 were hardly of a predictable fashion. In fact, take the concept of Alice … Continue reading →

Posted in cocktails, coffee & tea, events, recipes, spirits | Tagged alice in wonderland, cocktails, goldfish pacific kitchen, infusions, jonathan chovancek, lauren mote, lena millard, molecular mixology, tea, tyson villeneuve | 4 Comments

Groundhog Day + Whiskey = Love.

Posted on January 25, 2010 by Lauren Mote

The second installment in the Refinery’s whiskey seminar series is a definitive look at Bourbon Whiskey. As it has claimed many people’s hearts in the past, let us indulge your palates on Tuesday February 2, 2010. What better host than … Continue reading →

Posted in events, spirits | Tagged maker's mark, the refinery, whiskey | 1 Comment

Cornucopia: Reflections of a Seasoned Alcoholist

Posted on December 30, 2009 by Lauren Mote

by Lauren Mote (original story can be seen at http://www.urbandiner.ca) We ended one festival to start another. After Victoria’s Art of the Cocktail was successfully put to bed the previous weekend in Victoria, Cornucopia, Whistler’s celebration of wine and food, … Continue reading →

Posted in events, libations, wine | Tagged cornucopia, lauren mote, Urban Diner | Leave a comment

Women of the Sortilège Cup

Posted on December 1, 2009 by Lauren Mote

Original story can be found at: http://urbandiner.ca/2009/12/01/women-of-sortilege-cup/#more-9405 December 1, 2009 at 2:16 pm · Similar Stories in Cocktail Culture, Competitions, Danielle Rabkin, Events by Danielle Rabkin, Urban Diner An unlikely venue for a cocktail competition, the Hospitality Expo at the … Continue reading →

Posted in cocktail competitions, events | Tagged bc hospitality expo, chambar, danielle rabkin, danielle tatarin, lauren mote, nons drinks, sortilege, the keefer, the refinery, Urban Diner, Wendy McGuinness | Leave a comment

Important Holiday Events

Posted on November 28, 2009 by Lauren Mote

by Lauren Mote I have two projects I’d like to share with you, in hopes that some of you would like to be involved. 1) Holiday Blood Donation via Canadian Blood Services “BOUDIN NOIR” The Restaurant Industry Gives Back. As … Continue reading →

Posted in events | Tagged blood donation, charity, food drive, the refinery | Leave a comment

Immaculate Conception: A Whiskey Dinner

Posted on November 27, 2009 by Lauren Mote

’tis the season to drink a lot of whiskey… GOOD whiskey. December 8th 2009 marks a very special evening. The Refinery and Cask Strength present “Immaculate Conception” an evening dedicated to joys of whiskey and food. Similar to the Whiskey … Continue reading →

Posted in Default Category - No Reason., events | Tagged andrew starritt, bulleit bourbon, diageo canada, lauren mote, poivre media co, the refinery | Leave a comment

The Ultimate Breakfast Experiment.

Posted on November 3, 2009 by Lauren Mote

By Jessica Grajczyk The premise: 1. Breakfast is my favourite meal. 2. Nuba is my favourite restaurant in Vancouver. I’m sure everyone is sick of my Nuba leg humping. 3. I haven’t eaten eggs in over a month due to … Continue reading →