A chef who has cooked in kitchens around the world and is considered one of Vancouver's top culinary stars is bringing his talents to River Market.
Angus An of Maenam restaurant in Kitsilano is opening a new eatery at River Market. Longtail Kitchen is slated to open in May.
A press release states Longtail Kitchen is inspired by its waterfront setting on the Fraser River and by the Thai water taxi from which the restaurant takes its name.
Longtail Kitchen will feature seaside Thai street food, serving casual seafood by day, along with a retail shop that offers An's signature curry sauces, spices, cookbooks and cookware. In the evening, it will play host to private dinners and cooking classes.
"I see it as a kind of culinary playground for established and emerging chefs to interact directly with customers in a fun, approachable way," said An in a press release.
River Market believes the opening of Longtail adds to its momentum and ambition to be a world-class destination for feast and fun.
"I'm a longtime fan of Angus' cooking. He and I have talked a lot about the future of restaurants," said River Market director Mark Shieh. "One of our goals at the market is to reconnect with food in a meaningful and playful way. Angus' imagining of a restaurant as a multifunctional seaside kitchen is a great fit with our Food 360 approach."
An did his culinary training at New York's French Culinary Institute and has worked with some of the world's top chefs.
He's worked in kitchens such as Jean-Georges Vongerichten's legendary Jo-Jo, The Ledbury, The Fat Duck, and Le Manoir aux Quat'Saissons, before taking a position working under chef David Thompson at Michelin-starred Thai restaurant Nahm.
In 2009, he opened Maenam in Kitsilano, which serves authentic Thai dishes.
According to the press release, Maenam has been named Best Thai restaurant by Vancouver Magazine each year since its opening, and was also the only restaurant in Canada and the U.S. to make the New York Times' list of 10 Restaurants Worth Leaving the Ship For in 2011.
In addition to his duties at Maenam, An took on an executive chef/consultant role at the Thai restaurant Kittichai in New York City last summer.
DOUGLAS COLLEGE AWARDED
The Douglas College career development practice certificate program has received an award of excellence from the B.C. Career Development Association.
The program, which is a continuing education program within the faculty of child, family and community studies, provides training to practitioners in career, employment and rehabilitation fields. It includes studies in labour market information, social media, case management and more.
"This award recognizes two decades of teaching, innovation and leadership in B.C.'s career development sector," said program manager Cheryl Jeffs in a press release. "Furthermore, it acknowledges the career development pioneers for their vision to develop and implement a sustainable career development program. The program was recognized for its development and delivery of hybrid advanced and off-campus courses, for keeping students current with the new B.C. employment models, for its new courses in coaching, social media and 3D resumes, and for establishing the annual Ellen Edwards CDP Distinguished Student Award.
POPULAR THRIFT SALE RETURNS
Preparations are underway for the popular Century House Thrift sale.
The annual sale, which draws a crowd to the seniors centre, is being held on Saturday, April 13 from 10: 30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 620 Eighth St.
The sale, which has free admission, includes bargains such as clothing, small appliances, jewelry, kitchenware, knick-knacks, books, records and plants. Donations are being accepted at Century House from April 6 to 12.
