Track & Food Podcast

Now brought to you by Scout Magazine. We were originally going to push this episode due to the current global pandemic of Covid-19. We thought it seemed trivial to release this now, with so many of us facing personal and economic uncertainties. However, we've had a few of you (thanks for your support) inquire if we had an episode coming soon. This has led us to believe that you're either...

Now brought to you by Scout Magazine. In this episode, it thrilled us to bring on winemaker Tyler Harlton of Summerland’s TH Wines and GM James Langford-Smith of Chinatown staples Bao Bei and Kissa Tanto. We waxed on all things hospitality, running small businesses, natural wine and its ethos and much much more. Jamie was excited to delve deep into Tyler’s wine style as he quickly realized that hi...

In this episode, Jamie and Mickey chat with Peter Van de Reep of Campagnolo Upstairs. Recently crowned BC's Best Sommelier, they were excited to discuss his win, how it unfolded and what his thoughts are about competing at Nationals next fall.  Peter also dishes on his start in the industry, his love for hospitality and much much more.  Gracious, with a calm demeanour, it was fun having Peter...

In our final episode of 2019 we were thrilled to bring on current Mackenzie Room Wine Director and soon to be General Manager of the Mackenzie group’s second restaurant, Say Mercy, one Mr. Cody Dodds.  A good friend of Jamie’s, Cody gave us the goods on what diners should expect from Say Mercy as we cover the restaurant’s philosophy, style and what they aim to produce. Trust us, it looks to be fan...

In this episode, we brought on our good friend and bartender extraordinaire, Max Curzon-Price of Botanist in the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel. We were excited to chat with him about his latest project, Hive of Apiarists , which he’s launched in conjunction with his award-winning cocktail, Plight of the Bumblebee. This project started after Max recently won the Bacardi Legacy Canadian title this past...

In this episode, we couldn’t help but bring on for a second time our good friend Shaun Layton. Shaun sat with us a little over a year ago to discuss the imminent launch of his new restaurant, Como Taperia. It thrilled us back then that he wanted to chat and talk about what he had in store for us as a city as we no doubt knew his venture would be fantastic.  Well one year in, we can confidently say...

In this episode, we brought on our good friend and overall great guy, Bar Manager Jeff Savage of Botanist.  We’d like to say that Jeff’s definitely had himself a year as he was not only part of the winning team that took home the Bols Around the World Global Title but that he was also crowned the Diageo World Class Canadian Champion.  To top both of these achievements, Jeff just arrived back from...

In this episode we were very fortunate to bring on a guest who needs little introduction, Vancouver Magazine Food Editor, Neal McLennan.  This was such a fun chat as Neal gave us the goods on his time at Van Mag, the state of food journalism, how they approach their awards selection criteria, the evolution of the restaurant critic, restaurant politics and much much more.  Neal graciously brought u...

In this episode we chat with Gooseneck Hospitality co-owner and overall awesome dude James Iranzad. We got him to wax on his newest restaurant, a spin off of their wildly successful pizzeria Bufala. Set to open in late October in North Vancouver, James gives us the goods on what they're aiming to provide and why this has been such an exciting process.  Throughout we also talk about James&apos...

...And we’re back!!! After a nice summer hiatus, we’re back today with a great one. Meet bartender/consultant Max Borrowman. He’s set to dig in and open his new bar for Heather Hospitality, ‘Open Outcry’ and we’re delighted he stopped by to give us the goods.  In this one we wax on cocktail culture, the process of getting a bar open, concepts and much much more. Tennis talk ensues as both Jamie an...

In this episode we did another group chat as we brought on two Vancouver industry legends, Ron Oliver of Mamie Taylor’s and Josh Pape of Gooseneck Hospitality.  We wanted to wax everything hospitality as we discussed The Diamond 10 year anniversary and how the past decade has changed things for Josh, as he co-owns The Diamond with his partner Mark Brand.  Ron chimes in as he was one of The Diamond...

In this episode we reflect on over a year and a half ( 30 episodes) of the Track and Food Podcast. It's been a super fun and therapeutic experience for both of us and we wax on show themes moving forward. As usual barbs are thrown, rambling occurs and things get opinionated. We Talk a bit of NBA and Mickey get's a chance to "do the dishes". We also discuss our new website ventu...

In this episode, we spoke with Parkside Brewery co-owner Sam Payne. He gave us the goods on his start in hospitality, opening and starting the brewery, challenges he’s faced along the way and much much more. We also waxed on about the current state of the B.C. craft beer industry and there was plenty of hoops talk to get us started. Sam used to play! This definitely got us going. This was one of o...

In this episode we spoke with Top Drop Wine Festival co-founder Kurtis Kolt. Kurtis gives us the goods on the genesis of the festival, its aim, where he sees it going and why those who love wine should definitely check it out. The festival, now in its sixth year, takes place in Calgary on May 21st and in Vancouver on May 23rd and 24th. Jamie was excited to pick Kurtis’ brain about some of the prod...

In this episode we bring on past guests of the pod, bartender Mike Shum of the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel and Mamie Taylor's Owner, Ron Oliver. We brought them on to talk about the recent array of food lists to hit the internet, most notably, Canada's Top 100 restaurants and the Vancouver Magazine Awards. In discussing these lists, we argue about their validity, who was left off and why...

In this episode we chat with local business owner and tea ninja Pedro Villalon on starting a now thriving business in the heart of Kitsilano.  Pedro is the co-founder of O5 Rare Tea Bar , a staple in the Vancouver landscape with their excellent selection of small batch teas. It’s a place where you can go to learn a heck of a lot about the history of tea, take komboucha making classes or just have...

In this episode we spoke with our good friend Chef Daniel Williams of Dachi. A new 40 seat upstart located in the Hastings-Sunrise area of Vancouver, Dachi is the sort of small neighbourhood restaurant a community often craves but rarely gets. With a vibrant beverage program and a focused food menu set to the concept of locality and what’s in season, we were eager to hear Dan speak about his journ...

In this episode we finally sit down and do Book Club #2. Mickey's choice this time around was the amazing book written by Jonathan Safran Foer, titled Eating Animals . The book's topic is centred around the way in which animal agriculture has changed for the worse over the past 70 years. Heavily researched, Safran Foer takes you on a wild and often sad journey as he explores the food cho...

In this episode we spoke with bartender Grant Sceney of Vancouver’s Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel. Grant’s been one of the few guests we’ve had shortlisted to have on for some time now as we were eager to hear his story, how he came to Canada by way of his native Australia and what it was like winning the Diageo World Class Canadian final in 2014. His win, a crowning achievement for a bartender, help...

In this episode we brought on Andrew Morrison, the Editor-in-Chief of Scout Magazine.  In our estimation, Scout is Vancouver’s preeminent food and culture magazine, one in which, full disclosure, Jamie currently contributes to. As such, we were excited to finally have Andrew on so as to hear his thoughts on Vancouver and its food industry.  We discussed Andrew’s start in journalism, how and why he...

We’re back! In this episode we discuss news of possible changes to BC’s liquor laws as well as some trending topics the restaurant industry will be facing in 2019. We reference proposals brought forth from the Mark Hicken report , a lawyer who was hired by the BC government to asses how to improve the efficiency and outcomes for business and government and all those who deal with the BCL. Lastly w...

In this episode we spoke with Shoel Davidson and Mackenzie Chilton, who are two of the main drivers behind the new hospitality driven non-profit Mind The Bar . As an excellent follow up to our last episode which featured Tracy Giesz-Ramsay speaking about addiction, this episode we delve into what Mind The Bar is and how they're trying to bring awareness and resources for those who suffer from...

In this episode we chat with local up and coming writer Tracy Giesz-Ramsay about addiction, its root causes and how society has come to recognize many of its symptoms. Drawing on some of her well researched knowledge, Tracy gives us the goods of why this issue is one worth discussing. We highly recommend you read her latest feature from Ricochet Magazine “The Underlying Causes Of An Escalating Cri...

In this episode we chat with Hawksworth sommelier and over all great guy Jayton Paul. Jayton regales us with some pretty hilarious tails of his experiences in the Vancouver hospitality scene and flexes his vast knowledge on not only fine wines but wine culture overall. Jamie and Jayton geek out super hard while Mick tries to keep up, It's a real insight in to world of the Sommelier and vancou...

Altruism is the belief in or practice of disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others. It’s a concept of shared happiness at the expense of self. In this episode we discuss this concept and how it relates to the wine world. This reference comes from Jamie's latest column, "Would A Small Bit Of Altruism Be A Saving Grace For A Wine Industry Obsessed With Competition And...