Blasted Church Vineyards welcomes Chef John Burke
The team at Blasted Church Vineyards welcomes Chef John Burke to lead the winery’s new food program for The House. The House, a new tasting space at the Okanagan Falls winery, will be the venue for bespoke food and wine pairings and showcase chef Burke’s cooking demos. Guests will also be able to enjoy BBQ snacks poolside at the winery’s patio while they sip on a glass of their favourite award-winning wine and soak up some sunshine. In a career spanning 20 years, Burke has worked in the kitchens of Vancouver restaurants and several kitchens in the Okanagan including Hillside Bistro and The Bench Market, as well as honed his butchery skills at A&K Grimm’s Sausage. He began his career in Vancouver at the prestigious Wedgewood Hotel. Most recently, Burke showcased his style of cooking to the wonderful customers of Front Street Brasserie, of which he was co-owner and executive chef for the past six years. He now brings that dedication, enthusiasm, and culinary ability to Blasted Church Vineyards, where he will offer selections that suits the perfectly balanced, award-winning wines that winemaker Evan Saunders creates in the cellar and John Bayley nurtures in the vineyards. Burke will be working alongside his wife—and former Front Street Brasserie business partner—Lisa Baxter-Burke, who is the new experience manager at Blasted Church Vineyards. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays in July and August, guests can enjoy Blasted Church’s portfolio tasting in this new event space. blastedchurch.com [Vineyard photo by Jon Adrian; Burke photo by Amber Andreucci.]
