The votes are in: best resort dining in b.c.

April 20, 2007

(Tofino, BC) Canada’s most comprehensive and most prestigious culinary awards, the Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, held its 18th annual awards ceremony at the Sheraton Wall Centre in downtown Vancouver, where The Pointe at the Wickaninnish Inn has been awarded the Gold award in the Best Resort Dining category.  Judges, an assortment of 19 seasoned and emerging food writers, were asked to weigh the overall resort experience – with an across-the-board view to assess the complete food and beverage program. In this first year for the Resort Dining category, other nominees were:  Sooke Harbour House, fellow Relais & Châteaux member The Aerie, Fifty-Two 80 Bistro at the Four Seasons Resort Whistler, and The Wildflower at Fairmont Chateau Whistler.  The Inn also garnered the Silver award for Best Vancouver Island Dining, followed by Bronze for Tofino neighbour, SoBo.

Charles McDiarmid, Managing Director of the Wickaninnish Inn, says he and his team are proud to be associated with Vancouver Magazine. McDiarmid adds, “This is a wonderful credit to Chef Andrew Springett in his last month with us, as we welcome Chef Tim Cuff to The Pointe and the bounty of Canada’s Pacific Rim.  Vancouver Island is a prime culinary tourism destination where eating is the goal rather than a mere necessity. We owe this accomplishmentto our entire food and beverage team.”

Established in 1990, the Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards acknowledge 41 categories ranging from “Best Formal French” and “Best Small Plates” to the unique “Premier Crew”, a grouping of the top waitstaff, manager, and sommelier in BC.   Since inception, the event ceremony has continued to grow, to become a gala event, with an attendance of more than 700 guests.

The Wickaninnish Inn overlooks the ocean by the remote community of Tofino, on Vancouver Island’s rugged western shore.  A member of Relais & Châteaux since 1997, the Inn is recognized as the original/prime destination for dramatic winter storm watching and year-round luxury accommodation, complemented by The Pointe Restaurant and Ancient Cedars Spa.

For reservations, contact the Wickaninnish Inn’s toll-free line at 1.800.333.4604, or refer to the newly designed website at www.wickinn.com.

For editorial and/or photographic information please contact

Jane Ince at 604.987.6047 or jane@wickinn.com