Vancouver restaurant scene lands a star
VANCOUVER — International culinary superstar Jean-Georges Vongerichten will open a restaurant next year in Vancouver – his first in Canada – further boosting its reputation as a food-focused city.
Market by Jean-Georges will take over the majority of the third floor of the Shangri-La Hotel when it opens on Jan. 24, 2009. It is the first collaboration between Shangri-La Hotels and Mr. Vongerichten's worldwide restaurant development company, Culinary Concepts.
The Toronto Shangri-La has the same developer as Vancouver, leading to speculation that the Jean-Georges brand may follow when the hotel chain opens there in 2011.
Alsatian-born Mr. Vongerichten commands a global empire of restaurants that includes venues in London, Paris and Shanghai, as well as New York's three-Michelin-starred Jean Georges Restaurant.
David Hawksworth, formerly executive chef at Vancouver's much-lauded West restaurant who will open Hawksworth in the redeveloped Hotel Georgia in 2009, was excited by the news.
“I'm uber-competitive,” he said. “I love a challenge. I thrive on it – and the bar has just been raised. This will create a buzz and a scene that is great for us as chefs and for Vancouver as a city.”
Market by Jean-Georges will serve lunch and dinner and feature a formal dining room, a more casual bistro, a seasonal outdoor terrace and two private dining rooms. Though Mr. Vongerichten will not be permanently based in Vancouver, Jill Killeen, Shangri-La director of communications, said he will spend time in the kitchen in the coming year and plans to bring in staff from his other operations to be based here permanently. No decision has been made on who will be executive chef, but both local and international candidates are under consideration.
“Vancouver is a global dining destination,” said Mr. Vongerichten in a statement. “It is a city rich in culinary influences and young talent. I am eager and excited to have the opportunity to use the wealth of produce, especially the fish, available in the Vancouver area.”
Mr. Vongerichten is not the only internationally feted chef coming to Vancouver. Earlier this year, celebrity chef Daniel Boulud announced his partnership with local restaurateur David Siddoo. The pair will relaunch Lumière restaurant and open DB Bistro Moderne Vancouver in the space formally occupied by Feenie's in November.
“I'm very excited,' said Melissa Craig, executive chef of Whistler's Bearfoot Bistro and, at 28, one of B.C.'s youngest culinary stars. “Those of us in the industry are going to learn a lot. These chefs are working at a different level and the challenge that brings is good for us and for the city.”//
Quang Dang, chef de cuisine at Vancouver's C Restaurant agreed. “When both Jean-Georges and Daniel Boulud think Vancouver is a viable market for fine dining, it can't be a bad thing,” he said.
Owner of many Vancouver and Toronto restaurants, including Gotham, The Shore Club and steakhouse chain, The Keg, David Aisenstat said he that news of Mr. Vongerichten's arrival was a real coup. “Vancouver is a terrific city and this adds to the general allure and the tourism potential,” he said. Mr. Aisenstat also confirmed he will open a branch of his Toronto-based Japanese restaurant Ki in the Shangri-La complex in spring 2009.
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