A SUNSET PARTY AT THE SHANGRI-LA FOR THE ARAXI COOKBOOK LAUNCH
Yesterday Allan and I were invited by the wonderful Shelley (Communications Director for Top Table Restaurants) to a sunset party at Vancouver’s Shangri-La Hotel. It was a fun-filled classy evening celebrating the launch of Chef James Walt’s cookbook for the Whistler restaurant Araxi. Yes, of Hell’s Kitchen fame.
Araxi has been one of my favourite restaurants for many, many years now… and we always try to visit a couple times a year. I’d been hearing about this cookbook for months now, and I was so excited to hear that all guests were receiving a signed copy of the cookbook! I absolutely cannot wait to make some recipes from the book. I’ll make sure to post photos when I do.
The party was on the 58th floor in a suite overlooking our beautiful city. Our ears were popping like crazy in the elevator. The Shangri-La is so tall that it really feels like you are looking down on the other high rises.
Not to mention we were treated to a stunning sunset throughout the event.
Guests were served a nice selection of wine, and some delicious canapes prepared by Chef James Walt and the team from Araxi. My favourite was definitely the braised short rib, but Allan sure thinks the tuna was the winner.
There were some beautiful desserts as well… I had my fair share of chocolates that evening.
There was lots of mingling, and it was great to meet some of the food critics, magazine editors, chefs, and other professionals in the food industry. Not to mention getting to finally meet Miss 604 in person, and the lovely Keira-Anne.
At the end of the event, Chef James Walt began signing books for everyone. It was great to talk to him again outside of Araxi and get a photo with him. Excuse my stupid look here, I’m pretty sure I was way too excited to get a picture with him.
He lives in Pemberton (near the farms, on a farm…) and is big on local produce and sustainability as I mentioned in my previous post on Araxi.
We worked up an appetite with all the food teasers, and so we stopped in for a quick bite at the Shangri-La’s Lobby Lounge. We had a couple cocktails, appetizers, and some yummy mains and desserts. Pretty good for bar food!
What a fun night! Thanks to Shelley, Chef James Walt, and Araxi for throwing a fabulous party.
Tags: Araxi, bar, Chef James Walt, cookbook, launch, Lobby, lounge, party, Shangri-La, sunset, Vancouver, view
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October 8th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Allie that view is amaaaaaaaaaaazing. Now I have to go pick up a copy of the cookbook from Chapters.
October 8th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Those shots of the appetizers in the Lounge look awesome – can you really just show up in there without being a resident/hotel guest? (nicely attired for the location, of course – Shangri-La would be quite the stop for night-on-the-town kind of date!)
I’m still in awe of that chandelier – it just doesn’t look real!
October 8th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
where can I buy the cookbook in Vancouver?
October 8th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
Mike, yes you can show up there… esp. if you are going to the restaurant… but you probably wouldn’t just hang out by the elevators/hotel lobby unless you are a guest hehe. If you’re attending a party there it is totally cool.
Jenn, you can purchase the cookbook at Chapters, Blue Water Cafe, or any of the Top Table restaurants
You can also buy it online at Amazon.
October 8th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Pictures can’t do justice to how amazing the view is way way up there. I found myself clutching my cell phone and wine glass with extra vigor when leaning out over that balcony O_o
October 8th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
Pictures are amazing as always, I am planning a trip to Vancouver soon(all the way from Texas), maybe this location will be added to my places to stop!
October 8th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Thanks for joining us, Allie! It was pleasure to meet you and Allan in person. Love the photos! Cheers, Shelley
October 8th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
So neat you got to go to this event! The food and desserts look so yummy. Love the photos – are those your blue high heels?!?
October 9th, 2009 at 8:00 am
Geeeez! That is an extraordinary view from the top of that place! AHH! The food looks amazing, and now I HAVE to get out of bed for breakfast! Hah! From now on, I’m looking to you for food photography inspiration.
October 9th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
You look gorgeous. So does the space. And so does the food. Now I’m hungry.
* Kelsey
October 10th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
I love the sunset shots. AMAZING!!
October 11th, 2009 at 9:30 am
Another set of lovely photos. I’m in awe of the sunset photos and how high up you were. At the top you really do look down and realize how tall this thing really is.
I’m also kinda hungry, time for breakfast!
October 11th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Happy Thanksgiving Allie
Hope it’s a gooder.
October 11th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Oh dear goodness what fun!! I ADORE that 1st chandelier shot and all the food photographs. YUMMY!!
October 12th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Even the photo on the cookbook cover looks yummy. I’m craving pasta now! Beautiful photos. Heading to Vancouver in November for a family girls weekend. Would love some restaurant suggestions!
October 12th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
What a great time you have had…the food looks absolutely stunning…I want to reach in and have some…and gotta love those blue shoes♥x