Brent Stewart, former owner of Wings Restaurant in Rutland and West Kelowna, has decided that one day of retirement was not working for him after the sale of his restaurants.
He has now joined the team at Specialty Bakery, located at 833 Finns Rd. in Kelowna, under owner/operator Brent Browne. Brent has returned to his roots as he was formerly the Bistro manager at Specialty Bakery for a period of two years. As the Bistro manager, Brent will be responsible for developing menus, preparing meals and supervising the kitchen to ensure that the food is prepared to the highest quality standards. If you have never tasted Brent’s Boston Clam Chowder on a Friday, you are really missing out. Brent has revamped the open kitchen with Tia Bleackley, who formerly worked at Barb’s Delight Restaurant for many years. In addition, Specialty Bakery, along with Brent’s culinary expertise is developing a specialty pie program, creating savory, fruit and pizza pies that are designed for take-out for breakfast, lunch and dinner to make your home meal planning easy. Flavours are beef, chicken, steak and mushroom, Guinness pot pie and Cornish Pasties (hand-held). Watch for their French Canadian Tourtiere’s (Meat pies) to come soon. Do not forget to pick up your hot cross buns that are made fresh daily from now until Easter. The Bistro is open Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday, 7 to 11 a.m.
Almost 15,000 dental professionals attended the recent Pacific Dental Conference in Vancouver. Congratulations to local certified dental assistant Lane Shupe, presented with the prestigious University of British Columbia Alumni Affiliate Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Profession of Dentistry. The Faculty of Dentistry Alumni awarded Lane this award for her more than 40 years of service to the profession and her advocacy and support of the UBC Faculty of Dentistry at the Thompson Okanagan Dental Meeting (TODS). She and her Thompson Okanagan dental meeting partner Alison Hall were also both awarded with honourary fellowships in the Dr. Pierre Fauchard Academy.
Glen Jackson is the new CFO of the Millbank Materials Group. Based in Pittsburgh, Millbank supplies ferrous and non-ferrous alloys to the steel industry. Millbank also owns the Twin Sisters Olivine mine, the largest Olivine mine in the world and the only one in North America. Olivine has become increasing sought after in recent years as academic researchers have proven it can absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide. Glen continues to reside in Kelowna and works remotely for the corporate group.
Erica Jane, at 1187 Sunset Dr. in Kelowna, celebrates its 1st anniversary in business this month. Along with Chris Pooli, CEO, and Scott Fraser, president and chief cook and bottlewasher, award winning chef Chris Braun has been with Erica Jane from inception, leading a team of culinary wizards. Managing partner David (Bekks) Bekkering relocated from Calgary last September and has taken over the reins of the restaurant. He creates the most complete and elevated dining experience from start to finish. Erica Jane has become the go-to-spot in Kelowna’s downtown core, gaining recognition not only as the most elevated dining experience in the Okanagan but also for their incredible value during their twice a day and all-day Monday Happy Hour, $19 lunch feature on weekdays and the free birthday meal. Erica Jane is going one step further. Dine around is still in town so head on down to try out the newest Chef Braun compilation – the Mixed Tape Table D’Hote three course dinner for $75. Also, other new additions to the menu are Sable Fish, Lamb Sirloin, Prawn Agnolotti and Seafood Risotto. Open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week with late night Happy Hour from 9 to 11 p.m.
Storm and Karen Moore will be sharing the role of director of operations for Metro Community. The Moores have an incredible amount of leadership experience. They will be formally introduced to the community at an event planned for Sunday, March 16.
The Uptown Rutland business Association (URBA) has a new 2024 board of directors. Navjit Khun Khun is the president, with Canco Petroleum. Joining him on the board are URBA directors Justin Bullock, OK Tire + Top Grade Tire; Courtney Fedevich, Venture Commercial; Jassie Kakoschke, Valley First Credit Union; Brad McNaughton, Lux Quality Homes; Domenic Rampone, Mara Lumber; Harjit Toora, Manohar Vegetarian Bakery; Nancy Wells, Rutland Thrift Store. Ex Officio directors are Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas; Carmen Remple, with Kelowna Chamber of Commerce; Birte Decloux, Urban Options Planning; and Indy Dhial, The Gathering Place.
True Art, at 102-1925 Enterprise Way in Kelowna, is moving to an online local shop for mainly Okanagan artisans. True Art offers local delivery and free pickup from its new office space. Their website will be updated daily as new products come in and are restocked.True Art is offering a free ship code to assist in your future purchases. Enter SHOPLOCAL at online checkout.
The International Women’s support group, Wine, Women & Well-being, will host the inspirational networking and leadership event WOMEN. INSPIRATION. LEADERSHIP. DEVELOPMENT (WILD) on April 11 at Revelry Kitchen and Music Hub. The event features remarkable speakers and industry-leading female founders, and will serve as a fundraiser for Hemi’s Holistic Healing Centre Society, which supports a non-profit healing centre for recovery and relapse prevention for women. The event guest speakers are Coach Carey, a motivational speaker and certified life coach; Lisa Webb, author and founder of Wine, Women & Well-Being; Anita Parker, restauranteur and certified life-business coach; and Samantha Wedlund, founder of Success 21 Salon. Tickets at eventbrite.ca
LaChaine Des Rotisseurs Val D’Okanagan invites the public to the inaugural “En Premiere” featuring 14 wineries. Each paring is curated by the winery and restaurant team. You can be the judge and select your favourite pairing for the winning team. Proceeds from the event support young chefs and sommeliers for international competitions. You can meet the Canada’s top young sommelier Max Brayer, from Kelowna, who recently won the National Young Sommelier Championship and will represent Canada in Lisbon, Portugal, in October at the International Young Sommelier Competition. Live Music by James Hay Blues Band. Event is Thursday, April 18, at the Laurel Packinghouse, from 5 to 8 p.m. Book now for the limited time offering of a 15 per cent discount. Tickets $125. Dress Code is casual business Chic. See tickets at www.chainevaldokanagan.com/taste-the-valley.
The federal Employment and Social Development Canada Minister has announced this year’s recipients of Canada’s Volunteer Awards. Among the recipients is Norm Crerar, director of the British Columbia Dragoons Regimental Council Society, who was awarded Canada’s Volunteer Award for Community Leader, British Columbia and the North. Norm has been a dedicated volunteer to the Regiment and the Okanagan Tattoo. He resides in Vernon.
Chefs in the Classroom is a Gade 2/3 cooking program that is seeking volunteers. The program is eight weeks long, taking place Monday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon. There is a virtual orientation coming up on April 2, 6 p.m. If you can help this wonderful program contact Chef Terry Port at volunteers@chefintheclassroom.com or for more info or to sign up www.chefsintheclassroom.com. If you are a pro in the kitchen or just love to cook, they would love to have you on board. There is even opportunities out of the classroom to help Chef Adam Relvas with all the food prep.
Let’s help out our neighbour to reopen their arena and curling rink. Enderby’s ice system failed in January and needs major repairs. Enderby is one of the Top 4 communities in Canada for Kraft Hockeyville, Vote Enderby on March 29th starting at 6:00 a.m. to March 30th at 2:00 p.m. Vote at www.krafthockeyville.ca.
Birthdays of the week
Happy 90th Pat Moxness (Mar. 26); happy 85th Ian Sisett (Mar. 20); happy 65th Anne Millsap (Mar. 26); happy 40th Chris Neves (Mar. 21); Susan Feng (Mar. 20); Karen Beaubier (Mar. 20); Kent Molgat (Mar. 20); Matthew Jensen (Mar. 21); Richard Trager (Mar. 22); Tracy Renner (Mar. 22); Ivy Cutting (Mar. 23); Whit Penner (Mar. 23); Sandy Turk (Mar.23); Natasha Frappier (Mar. 23); Dale Safinuk (Mar. 23); Les Bellamy (Mar. 23); Jock Tyre (Mar. 24); Ryan Donn (Mar. 24); Rick Jaeger (Mar. 24); Jay Blackford (Mar. 25); Normie Wylie (Mar. 25); Paul Moxness (Mar. 26); Lark Willms (Mar. 26); in memory Garry Benson (Mar. 19).
Maxine DeHart is a Kelowna city councillor and local hotelier. Phone her at 250-979-4546 or 250-862-7662, email max@maxinedehart.ca.