Joy Metcalfe JOY TELLS ALL BECAUSE OF time con- straints, I normally am not able to attend the various and varied luncheons to which I am invited. But one special luncheon that I never miss is the annual gathering of the province’s home-grown products and produce people at Mona Brun’s cosy mansion high in the sprawling hills of North Vancouver. And it’s never just for the mag- nificent repast that is spread out in spectacular culinary displays in several areas of Mona’s home (though it’s always incredible), It’s for the lady herself. She’s such a warm, funny and delightful human being as well as being the perfect ambassador for B.C. pro- duce. . This was the kick-off or chow- down of some of the tastiest morsels being offered daily during the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE). The menu fast Monday offered cuisine for summer, fall, winter and spring. Just to give you a taste of the fare, we enjoyed blueberry salsa with barbecued salmon, mushroom-asparagus crépes, ori- ental turkey salad, turkey burritos, barbecued pork tenderloin, goat meat curry, sweet and sour salmon and Okanagan grape pie. It was a celebration of B.C. foods. The PNE cooking show this year is called “A Taste for All Seasons” and will again be coordi- nated and hosted by Mona Brun. Each show will be about 45 min- utes and wiil be followed by a question and answer period with samples for all. Mona's parties always attract a host of familiar friends like PNE boss Ian Aikenhead and their new corporate affair manager Annette Antoniak, B.C. Vegetable Marketing Board’s Barbar’ Lindstrom, helpful Harry Sumner and Carousel Caren who grected us at the door, ? ae . , Custom Window Coverings » 34 13 MARINE DR. WEST VAN. - 922- 4668 COCKTAILS & CAVIAR | How to produce a party food writer Dune Holmes, colum- nists Judith Matthews, Kasey Wilson and Renée Blackstone, Betty Fitzsimmons, Jack Ferry, and Lois Cutler, who drove in all the way from Kamloops just for the luncheon. Also in attendance was the leg- endary Jean Cannem who arrived from her home in Kelowna. Jean hosted a daily show for years on BCTV and Mona was her culinary cohort. it was such a happy party on Monday that even Santa Claus decided to get into the act and dropped in for a quick visit. The hospitable Mona has that effect on people. Can‘t wait for my next invita- tion... Speaking of gracious people, Gisela Brinkhaus and her sister- in-law Kim Brinkhaus enter- tained a very exclusive cham- pagne party last week to launch their extraordinary collection of Cartier jewelled watches at the Brinkhaus store on the lobby level of the Hotel Vancouver. The collection, which consists of 100 magnificently jewelled time-pieces, is valued at more than $2 million. It was the debut of the stunning array of glittering gems. The collection will be on tour in 14 other prominent North American cities throughout the fall and winter. And, of course, diamonds do match any color or attire. The key is to be able to afford them. The beauties ranged in price from $7,000 to $123,000... B.C. Wine Institute executive director Chris Coletta and several B.C. Trade Corp. executives also had the pleasure of hosting a reception last week. Instead of saluting diamonds, however, this Super Kosta ‘Boda Sale 20% off Grape, Party, Ulla Bowls, Platters, Cheese Plates, Ete. (ae an”) COO-INTERIORS LTD. Park Royal South 922-1181 Bridal Git & Registry Upholstery « Custom Bedding --o-Venelians « Verticals © Wood Blinds « Shutters-°-Duetles- . Silhouctles ° Colour Co- ordinaling © purty was geared towards oenophiles. It began with the good news that our local Okanagan winery, Mission Hill, had just won the top award for the world’s “Best Chardonnay” at the International Wine and Spirits competition in London, England. It was a tremen- dous coup and a wonderful sur- prise for Tony von Mandi and his Mark Anthony Wines. The international wine judges were also surprised. Word is that even the tasters’ jaws dropped when they heard that the wine they had raved over was a Canadian product. Now the only problem for the Mission Hill people is to find six cases to serve at Queen Elizabeth’s official dinner at the ‘Commonwealth Games next week. Wincmaker Howard Soon was heaming at the luncheon as well. Calona’s best will be the official wines of the Games. Not only did Mission Hill win, nine British Columbia wineries won a total of 22 medals at this prestigious competition — reputed to be the toughest contest in the world! ... Cheers! Photos Joy Metcalfe TOP: B.C. Wine Institute's Chris Colleta, left, and John Simes were all smiles at a recent gathering of oenophiles. Middle: Percy Lepinsky was one of the guests at Gisela Brinkhaus’ diamond recep- tion at the Hotel Vancouver. Bottom: Former cohorts Jean Cannem (left) and Mona Brun share a taugh during Brun’s annual luncheon at her palatial North Vancouver mansion. ANN & ROBERT for professional & expert service in Real Estate SUTTOX GHOUP WEST COAST REALTY Cali 986-9321 or 988-2186 | ‘CREATIVE WINDOW WINDOW. COVERINGS “0 BCTV. Excellence ln _ Business Education A limited number of seats are still available for our full-time Business Administration program beginning on September 6. Enrol in our two-year diploma program, step up to our three-year specialized diploma program, or continue with the four-year Bachelor of Administrative Studies degree offered in conjunction with the Open Learning Agency. 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