'A Taste For Charity' presented by the Rotary Club of Lions Gate

The Rotary Club of Lions Gate invites Northshore residents to participate in our Inaugural Virtual Culinary Experience “A Taste for Charity” supporting the Boys and Girls Club of North Vancouver.

Enjoy cooking with beautiful local BC produce while connecting virtually with Chefs Jonah Joffe and Jon Merrill. Learn their tips and hints of creating mouth-watering dishes.

Jonah and Jon will take you on a culinary experience while you create deliciously prepared meals for those within your bubble.

You will start your culinary adventure enjoying a pre-made Harvest Vegetable Minestrone (vegan) made from fresh winter squash, tomatoes and quinoa. This will be followed by your choice of Entrée (1) Pan Roasted BC Ling Cod with local French beans, lemon & kale risotto and sauce vierge, or (2) Roasted Zucchini with local French beans, lemon & kale risotto, feta yogurt and herb salad (vegetarian / can be made vegan).

Once you’ve finished your entrée, enjoy a beautifully fresh baked Chocolate Layer Cake (vegan) with raspberry & balsamic coulis, coconut whipped cream, and roasted hazelnuts.

All courses are Gluten Free

Three course meal is $75 per person plus booking fees.

Your food package will be delivered to your delivery address on Saturday morning, 14 November between 9.00 am - 12.00 noon.

Pan Roasted BC Ling Cod with local French beans, lemon & kale risotto and sauce vierge (gluten free)

Roasted Zucchini with local French beans, lemon & kale risotto, feta yogurt and herb salad (vegetarian and gluten free - can be made vegan)

Chef Jonah Joffe, Salt and Earth Catering Co.

Jonah Joffe brings 20 years of experience to Salt and Earth Catering Co. and makes up one-half of the Strathcona Oyster Club, his latest culinary endeavour. Graduating from the culinary program at SAIT at the age of 21, he began his career as a young shy salad cook and worked his way up to Chef de Cuisine in some of Calgary’s busiest restaurants. Most notably at Alloy, where the restaurant has been awarded Top 10 in the city for all 11 years of their operation.

Jonah left Calgary before beginning his career with the Alloy team and ventured south to San Francisco to work under Chef Gregory Short at the famed Masa’s. While working under the French Laundry alum, Jonah began to appreciate the bounty of California cuisine and how mindful it was to seasonality. This is where he truly found his first love, eating.

When Jonah is not cooking, eating, or watching sports, he volunteers his time between two very special charities: The Brandon Flock Foundation (an organization named after Jonah’s best friend who sadly passed away in 2012 and offers financial and mentoring aid to disadvantaged students seeking their passion in the Arts) and Soup Sisters (a national not for profit dedicated to providing comfort to women, children, and youth through the making, sharing, and donating of soup all while raising awareness about family violence).

Jon Merrill, Salt and Earth Catering Co.

Partner and Operator of Salt and Earth Catering Co and one-half of the Strathcona Oyster Club team, Jon Merrill loves to do what he knows best. Like any good Maritimer, that’s working with quality seafood and shellfish. Born and raised in Nova Scotia, exposure to fresh oysters, mussels, scallops and lobsters were part of everyday life. Those childhood experiences brought him to established spots like Rodney’s Oyster House (Toronto & Vancouver) and the famous Drake Hotel in Toronto’s Queen West neighbourhood.

Jon also keeps busy helping with Bikers For Autism’s annual ‘Shuck It Forward’ event. BFA is geared towards not only raising funds to such organizations such as Music Heals and The Pacific Autism Network but also spreading awareness and providing support to individuals and families living with the Autism Spectrum Disorder. Jon’s extensive experience with oyster shucking competitions has been a key instrument in helping organize and execute the annual event that raised over $70,000 in 2019 alone. Whether it is weddings, backyard lobster boils or oyster bars, Jon brings a unique coastal experience using local and seasonal product to every event.

Funds from this event will support The Boys and Girls Club NORVAN and specifically children 7 – 17 attend Camp Potlatch next summer. In 2020 The Rotary Club of Lions Gate and the Boys and Girls Club were able to pivot quickly, shifting from overnight camps to a series of day camps. The Summer of 2021 we hope to see overnight camps once again.

The Rotary Club of Lions Gate has a long history of supporting underserved children in the North Vancouver community with programs such as educational scholarships, Breakfast with Santa, and Camp Potlatch.

Camp Potlatch (owned and operated by Boys and Girls Clubs of South Coast BC) is a wilderness summer camp for children and youth located along the shores of northern Howe Sound. It is accessible only by boat and includes protocols and risk-management practices that ensure a safe experience for all campers.

Approximately 20% of campers have special needs that include various behaviour disorders, medical conditions, and some mild physical disabilities. By incorporating an extensive pre-camp staff training component and employing dedicated special needs support staff and a full-time nurse on site, we ensure that the camp is accessible to every child, regardless of their needs.