Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards 2007

There was a special 'green' glow to the festivities at the 18th Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, held Monday April 16, 2007 at the Grand Ballroom of the Sheraton Wall Centre.

The theme of this year's awards, as featured in the May 2007 issue of VanMag, was sustainability and its growing importance to both the restaurant industry and, of course, our collective future.

The Green Table Network was proud to be a trade sponsor of the Awards, and to help where we could to 'green' the event (our thanks to Doug Saunders and SCA Tissue for their generous donation of their 100% recycled EcoLogo certified napkins).

Our table at the pre-awards shindig, featured a display of TCP cold-cathode lamps from EECOL, attracting many restaurateurs and prospective members. As well, as a special bonus, Green Table sent each Awards attendee home with a "Bright Idea" card redeemable for a free cold-cathode lamp and "an illuminating conversation" about the future of their business.

When the ceremonies began, we also got to cheer 3 award-winning Green Table members: Aurora Bistro, which tied with Bishop's for Best Regional restaurant, Vij's, perennial and deserving winner of the Best Indian restaurant; and the big prize, Restaurant of the Year, to David, Brian and the team at West.

Harbinger of a brighter future, Vancouver Magazine also gave its inaugural Green Award to local pioneer and 'green giant' John Bishop. Our congratulations to John on this well-deserved honour.

Another highlight of the event were the video presentations, featuring many Green Table members, such as Don Letendre of Elixir at the Opus Hotel, Raincity Grill's Andrea Carlson (currently of Bishop's) and West's David Hawksworth. GTN executive director André also made an appearance, as did Camilo Cortez Aguirre's Black Gold compost operation at Strathcona Gardens.

Our thanks and congratulations to Jamie Maw, Laura Fauman and the entire VanMag team for a stellar (and timely) production.