At the 2012 Niagara-On-The-Lake Icewine Festival, the “Flash & Panache: Icewine Cocktail Competition” winner is the “I-Swine-Tini”! Watch as Perry Johnson and Chef Ryan Crawford of Niagara’s famed Stone Road Grille infuse their Pillitteri Estates Winery icewine and a strip of bacon into this winning winter cocktail!

“Wagyu” simply means “Japanese beef”, but within Japan there is quite a variety of high quality beef. In Okinawa Prefecture the prime selection is from the southern island of Ishigaki, and it is an Okinawa specialty gaining attention across Japan. This is what a $150 steak looks like! If you listen (and can understand Japanese) our tepanyaki chef explains the difference between Ishigaki beef, and the more widely known Kobe beef.

Sara Waxman’s 8th annual Champagne-Latka Party was as festive as always. Guests included The Wine Ladies whose message to Sara reflected the sparkling ambiance of the evening. Along with the champagne and latkas, Sara Waxman’s 2011 holiday soiree was catered by Toben Food by Design; wines provided by Colaneri Estates Winery; with cheese from Upper Canada Cheese. Happy Holidays!!

McEwan Executive Chef, Ivana Raca, shows you how to make truffled gnocchi.

Starfish Oyster Bed and Grill‘s World Oyster Opening Champion, Patrick McMurry, shows you how to shuck an oyster.