Cochon 555 MIAMI

5 Chefs, 5 Pigs, 5 Winemakers for 5 Porky Years! The Fifth Anniversary Tour kicked off in New York City on February 10th, which also happens to be my birthday! Coincidence? I think NOT. This traveling pork circus goes to nine cities. One of which is Miami on Sunday April 21, where pork lovers will gather at the Four Seasons (fancy huh?) and enjoy all the piggy hoopla. All in preparation for the Grand Cochon (that's like, head pig in charge) in Aspen. So get your tickets because a little swine will do you fine. http://www.cochon555.com/  Follow these pigs on Twitter @Cochon555 

· New York City on February 10

· Atlanta on February 17

· Vail on March 10

· Seattle on March 17

· Boston on March 24

· Washington, DC on April 7

· San Francisco on April 14

· Miami on April 21

· Chicago on April 28

· Los Angeles on May 5

Who will be the lucky pig? Cochon 555 Miami competitors: Aaron Brooks (Four Season Miami), Timon Balloo (Sugarcane), Jeffrey McInnis (Yardbird), David Thomas (The Bazaar) and Cesar Zapata (The Federal). May the lard be on your side.

SOBEWFF 2013

It's that time of the year again to get out of the cold and head to the beach! Trade the snow for sand at The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE. Get ready for some foodie fun in the sun and fabulous evenings at parties with the Moon over Miami.

#SOBEWFF take place February 21-24 and promises to be better than ever with Festival Director Lee Schrager creating new events like From Big Apple to Big Easy hosted by John Besh, Marcus Samuelsson, Aarón Sanchez and Jonathan Wax-man. Then, after spending the day at the Grand Tasting, head to the Fontainebleau Miami Beach for Wine Spectator's Best of the Best. Dinners like Chicken Coupe hosted by Andrew Carmellini, Garden to Glass hosted by Emeril Lagasse featuring Bar Lab Cocktails & My Ceviche, and White on White Dinner at BIANCA hosted by Michael White with Brian Massie are sure to impress; just remember to wait 30 minutes after eating to go swimming.

Lastly join Guy Fieri's Reggae Jam with Ziggy Marley Live presented by Ziggy Marley Organics featuring Cuisine of the Sun by Ortanique and friends, at The Official Festival Closing Party.

http://www.sobefest.com/

https://twitter.com/Lee_Schrager

Station Touristique Duchesnay: Dog Sledding

MUSH MUSH I SAID!

Dog Sledding with Aventure Inukshuk was one of the highlights of this trip. Mushing your dogs through the forest is an amazing adrenaline rush! From beginning to end this experience is transcending; as you, your dogs and nature unite in expedition.

Upon arriving, you are taken back by the dozens of barking dogs. Their energy is apparent, as if barking "pick me! pick me!" The dogs are not only beautiful but well trained and cared for. After a tour grounds and approximately 100 Huskies, you are introduced to your dog team, receive an introduction to the basic sledding techniques and finally journey the 50 minutes ride.

Hugo Tranchemontagne, our guide and dog sled racer is certified in the protection and exploitation of the territories.

It's a two person sled, one person sitting in the sled comfortably with a blanket while the other person rides standing in the back maneuvering and guiding the sled; always keeping your eyes on the lead dog. It can be a very physical activity, but you can go at you own pace. The nature trail takes you through a magnificent winter scene. You'll see nature at it's purist. Once you return, you congregate in a small rustic wooden cabin where you are met with hot chocolate and puppies playing inside. They are so cute!

Aventure Inukshuk

30 des Aventuriers

Duchesnay Resort

Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier

Québec G3N 2X8

(418) 875-0770
info@aventureinukshuk.qc.ca

Station Touristique Duchesnay: Auberge Duchesnay Hotel

A trip to Quebec is not complete without visiting Station Touristique Duchesnay in Sainte Catherine de la Jacques Cartier, only a 30 minutes drive from Quebec City. Here you will find everything you need for your winter eco-adventure, such as dog sledding, snowing shoeing, cross country skiing and Hôtel de Glace (The Ice Hotel), which without doubt will be one of the "coolest" places you will ever visit.

Snowshoeing  Tours

are available and highly

recommended as a fun

activity for an everyday city sidewalker.  It's a wonderful way to get to know  the  surrounding area while getting a new found respect for nature. Snowshoeing  up  and down  the trails seeking local beaver dwellers is definitely fun, specially when after you  may  find yourself sliding most of the way down the cliff on your rear end... AAAAH!

Auberge Duchesnay is a 48 room lodge style hotel nestled in a pristine natural environment on Lake Saint-Joseph. The staff is cordial, hospitable and eager to help with any questions. Spa treatments and a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner is found on the premises.

Bistro-bar Le Quatre-Temps is located inside Hotel Aubege Duchesney. A large yet cozy restaurant with a country feel, roaring fireplaces and views of Lac Saint-Joseph offers a bistro style cuisine made with regional Québec products. Bistro-bar Le Quatre-Temps is a wonderful place to warm up with a hot meal after a day of winter activities.

Tourism packages can be purchased at
Station Touristique Duchesnay
140 Montée de l’Auberge
Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier
Québec G3N 0J5
Telephone : 418-875-2122
Telephone : 1-877-511-5885
Fax : 418-875-2868
duchesnay@sepaq.com

*Directions to Station Touristique Duchesnay/Hotel de Glace from Hilton Québec

Click Here: DIRECTIONS ON GOOGLE MAPS

(easier to book a package that includes a transfer)

Québec City-Duchesnay Shuttle available in the winter only 418-527-1010

Station Touristique Duchesnay: Hôtel de Glace "Ice Hotel"

Hôtel de Glace (Ice Hotel) is one of the "coolest" hotel you will ever sleep in, LITERALLY! A trip to  Québec would not be complete without seeing this impressive hotel made purely of ice. Hotel de Glace is erected fresh and new every year with a new theme and architecture to entice and impress even the most jaded urbanite.

Upon arriving to The Ice Hotel you will be truly impressed! It is massive and beautiful! The question was; would I be able to endure the cold? Afterall, I've never been inside a giant freezer. But, hey how cold could it actually be? Um... yeah.



The Chapel hosts many Winter fairytale weddings every year.



Entering this fabulous life size ice sculpture was an adventure in itself. Clear ice walls that look like crystal, ice chairs,  ice bar, ice cups, ice floor, ice ceiling, ice slide, ice, ice and more ice! An unbelievable spectacle that must be seen in person to be appreciated. So bundle-up because there's no escape, well unless you run next door to the Auberge Duchesnay Hotel to warm-up. But this is an adventure, so wear your long underwear and your warmest water-proof winter pants and jacket and never stand still. MUST GENERATE BODY HEAT!

The Ice Hotel has a small heated building sectioned off to the side which houses the bathrooms and lockers. Outside is also the hot tub area amidst the surrounding beauty of nature. There is a scheduled information session that every overnight guest must attend which explains the sleeping procedure. Everything from what to wear (nude being the best option) to how-to open and get into your sleeping bag. But the night was still young...

The night started with drinks at the Ice Bar, shots of Caribou served in pure ice cups and dancing on the ice dance floor and when tired relaxing in what else, but ice chairs. There was an ice sculpting contest and scavenger hunt too. There is a fireplace but it is purely decorative since no heat is aloud for structural reasons. The hotel must be keeped under freezing temperature at all times. IT IS COLD! But, it is colder outside since wind is not a factor once indoors. So party it up! Roam the halls, check out the decor and remember it's all made of  ICE! And don't lick the walls.

BED TIME. Each room is decorated in themes. Mine was the VOTEX Suite.  There was an ice bed, table and chairs. Florescent lights add a mystic Je ne sais quoi that completes the mood. The ice bed has a wood board to keep you dry. Artic sleeping bags are provided by the Ice Hotel. Once in the sleeping bag, you are border line HOT! Except your face since it is exposed to the cold elements. I dove into my bag, zipped-it all the way up... face and all. Getting any real sleep varies person to person. We didn't get much more than an hour sleep total because we were too hyped-up on adrenaline and too excited. But there was a silence in the halls as if everyone was having the best night sleep of their lives.

A trip to Québec is not complete without visiting Station Touristique Duchesnay in Sainte Catherine de la Jacques Cartier, only a 30 minutes drive from Québec City. Here you will find everything you need for your winter eco-adventure, such as dog sledding, snowing shoeing, cross country skiing and Hôtel de Glace (The Ice Hotel), which without doubt will be one of the "coolest" places you will ever visit.

Hôtel de Glace

75, Montée de l’Auberge, Pavillon Ukiuk

Station Touristique Duchesnay

Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier

Québec Canada G3N 2Y5

Tel.: 418-875-4522

Toll free: 1-877-505-0423

Fax: 418-875-2833

General Information: information@hoteldeglace-canada.com

Reservations : reservations@hoteldeglace-canada.com

Québec Winter Carnival: Le Champlain Restaurant

A visit to Québec City is not complete without a visit to Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. Québec City's popular attraction and very own castle luxury hotel.

Fairmont Le Château Frontenac named after French governor Louis de Buade, Count of Frontenac is over a century old. It was designed by New York architect Bruce Price to resemble the style of the Renaissance Era and built for the Canadian Pacific Railway to lure tourism to Québec.
.
Le Château Frontenac is truly beautiful with its regal decor in elegant warm colors. It prides itself on having old world charm with modern hospitality and amenities. It truly is a charming and luxurious hotel that can realize a guests fairytale dream or fantasy.

Le Champlain is the fine dining restaurant at Le Château Frontenac where French Contemporary cuisine is overseen by Executive Chef Jean Soulard.

"Fairmont Le Château Frontenac’s cuisine is lively with an air of freshness evolving towards regional and local products – produits du terroir."

Dining at Le Champlain is a treat for the senses. The dining room overlooking the St-Lawrence River is formal but not stuffy with rich wooden columns, lavish upholstered chairs, finely dressed tables, candles, fresh flowers and a fire place. Service is on point and the quality of the food is a gastronomic delight, which adds to the pleasant and refined atmosphere.

À la Carte, guéridon table service, pre-fixe and degustation are offered from $35 to $99. *Wine pairing optional. Sunday Brunch is offered 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The Pre-Fixe Menu offers five courses with delicious selections. sure to make you palate happy.

Bon Appétit!

Amuse-bouche

Pâté with Duck Foie Gras, Apple and Celeriac, Port Coulis with Truffle

Parsnip Velouté with Basil Oil

Citrus Sorbet

Guinea Fowl “Ballottine” stuffed with Pear

Dark and White Chocolate with a Cherry Mousse

A stylish yet less formal dining alternative is available at Le Café de la Terrasse and cocktails can be had at the St-Laurent Bar & Lounge.

Fairmont Le Château Frontenac

1 rue des Carrières

Québec, Quebec

Canada

G1R 4P5

TOLL FREE: 1(866) 540-4460

TEL (418) 692-3861

FAX (418) 692-1751

E-MAIL chateaufrontenac@fairmont.com

http://www.fairmont.com/frontenac

Québec Winter Carnival: Canoe Race Finals

The Quebec Winter Carnival Canoe Race is a not to be missed event. This is the sport of all sports. Where athletic men and women canoe there way through the practically frozen St Laurence river to the delight of cold, red cheek spectators watching. This competition is something you would not imagine was even possible.

This is how it works. Each canoe has 5 teammates, the leader in the front. There are three race categories. Classe Élite Homme, the Competitors Men Division; Classe Élite Féminine, the Womens Division; and, Classe Sport, the Participants Division. The first to go are the Competitors Men who are in the professionals stage of the sport and vigorous in their pursuit of a win. The second to go are the Women, who are just as tough as the men and impressive to watch their determination. Third are the Participants, these guys evidently woke up one day and decide they wanted to canoe the frozen river. They are definitely dare devil type madmen with a lot of enthusiasm. And in my opinion the most fun to watch! The race consist of crossing the river, touching the buoy and then returning. The Competitors must do this twice.

When the race starts the Competitors paddle the canoes strategically through the icy water trying to get ahead of each other, sometimes getting stuck in clusters slowing them down. The river is frigid cold, icy in some areas and frozen in other areas. The teams paddle some of the way, and must also get out of their canoes to push and carry them when they approach the frozen areas. It is really impressive to watch the connection between the river and the teams as they navigate nature in such usual circumstances.

While the Competitors raced, I was able to speak to Alain St-Onge a Participant racing in the 3rd round with Team Assurances et services financiers des Amériques, canoe #33. I asked him what compelled him to do this? He answered, "I really just wanted to try it, it was just something to do." I then asked him what his family thought of his endeavour? He said, "My wife has not talked to me since, but my sons are very proud!" Meanwhile, I noticed his teammate had a hole in his wet suit, oblivious to the frigid cold temperatures. These are some tough guys!

The race finished with Team Le Château Frontenac as the winners, which has become standard for over a decade now. I had the pleasure of dining with Eric Fraser from team Le Château Frontenac whom had injured himself a few weeks earlier and was unable to participate in this years race. He seemed very passionate about his sport and eager to talk about it. He explained how historically this was how the mail was distributed in Quebec and how very dangerous the river can be. He says the sport requires much preparation, dedication and endurance. He described his teammates as having different temperaments and coming from very different professional careers, his being an industrial engineer of medical devices. Eric explained that their different backgrounds and personalities bring a different element to the team, which helps make it stronger; which furthermore, allows them to be incredibly in sync with each other when in their canoe on the river. It was apparent that Eric has a profound respect for his team and his sport. He represented himself and his team as true winners.

Congratulations to Team Le Château Frontenac Canoe #79!