They will share with attendees their plans to spend the summer months each year aboard their 15 meter Dutch Peniche, RIVAL, on the Waterways of Burgundy. Books and charts from their extensive library of French cruising guides and cruising stories will be on display. Most of these books can be ordered from the bookstore. A continuous slide show will also be shown.

Share your passion for the culture, history and ambience of France with like-minded people in the Francophile Network.  Whether you a regular visitor, part-time resident or simply a dreamer, our members love to talk about France in relaxed and casual settings. We look forward to meeting new Francophiles.

Brunch at db bistro with the Bocuse d’Or medalists

WINNING GOLD at the Bocuse D'Or in Lyon, is to triumph in culinary excellence - like    a  golden globe for an actor or a golden medallion for an Olympic athlete.

Thirty-five Francophile Network members had a golden opportunity to enjoy a very special brunch with Bocuse d’Or chef David Wong and his apprentice assistant Grace Pineda. Grace took gold in her category at this year’s Bocuse d’Or event.  

 DAVID WONG and GRACE PINEDA are Francophiles par extraordinaire and the Francophile Network honoured their culinary achievements by offering an award of $250 to the next student apprentice assistant from BC who represents Canada at the Bocuse d’Or competition.  

Francophile events coordinators , Linda Alexander and Anne-Marie Lawrence dropped into db bistro a week before the event to go over Brunch details with super helpful Maitre D’ Ali Maher. The temptation of lunch being served around them was too great. Soon they were tasting a divine soup of leak and potato and lobster that looked like a work of art.

Chef Stephane Istel took some time out of his hectic day to visit with them for few  minutes. He is young, only thirty, and has been in Vancouver since last September having come from New York with super star Chef  Daniel Boulud. Istel hails from Alsace and when it came time to think of a career being in the kitchen was IT for him despite his family’s concerns about the hard work and long hours

He is at the restaurant six days a week from morning ‘til night – and he loves it. His excitement about ingredients and his passion about creating unique dishes is exhilarating to listen to  - next time that the Francophile Network dines at dbbistro he suggests a set price menu with culinary surprises spread down the centre of a long table – French style. Sounds like a plan!   

dbbistro’s Chef de Cuisine Stephane Istel is passionate about the dishes he creates

and, as the old expressions says, the proof of the pudding is in the eating – in this case SUPERBE!!!!

Submitted by A-ML