The Grapes And Hops Presentation Stage in the
Wine, Beer & Spirits Tasting Pavilion

Hosted by Daenna Van Mulligen, The Wine Diva

Daenna Van Mulligen lives in Vancouver where she works as a wine writer and wine educator. She has been the master of ceremonies and primary educator for the past three years at EAT! Vancouver's wine stage and she now joins us at EAT! Fraser Valley to entertain and educate you about all things wine.

She is well known in the industry via her alter-ego Wine Diva www.winediva.ca a tongue-in-cheek wine website geared toward her very serious passion for all things wine. Daenna is also co-founder of Juiced Wine Group Inc. a casual but educational wine tasting group that meets once per month.

Daenna is an accredited sommelier who thrives on educating the public with her deviously inspirational and humorous approach to wine hoping to share her knowledge and increase consumer consumption while decreasing wine snobbery.

Daenna has developed and consulted on wine lists for many Vancouver restaurants and has made appearances on national radio and television.

2008 Featured Presenters: Join MC Daenna van Mulligen with friends Colin Jack & Rick Mohabir creators of 'Just Here For the Beer'

Just Here For The Beer (JHFTB) is a Vancouver based beer education and consulting company. JHFTB has been teaching beer tasting and education classes for the past 4 years at UBC, local community centres and private seminars. During this time period JHFTB has also organized 3 beer festivals at UBC and its members have been guest speakers at major industry events and at local community colleges. The company has also been featured on television and radio and in the newspaper several times in the past 3 years. All of our sponsors and venders who participate in the festivals, events and classes benefit from the exposure we bring to the industry.

JHFTB has travelled to several breweries in British Columbia and the Western US. This has created a base of knowledge that goes far beyond simple product knowledge. This means that not only do we understand unique brewing techniques and flavours in beer we also know what makes different breweries special and unique. Brewery tours have also created a knowledge depth that is second to none and have increased company credibility among the brewers and in the North American beer industry.

JHFTB prides itself as being the first 100% independent beer tasting company in Canada. We are not influenced by marketing and work with a huge list of clients including domestic brands, microbrews, brewpubs and specialty importers in BC.

JHFTB also understands the current market trends and tastes dozens of new beers each year. This means that we keep current with new products available on the market including specialty imports and seasonal beers. The number and type of products available in BC is always changing and as Vancouver’s Beer Experts it is our responsibility to remain current.

JHFTB has built a strong relationship with students in the class and has a great rapport with media, former students, and other industry professionals. This has been the most important aspect of the company’s success over the past 4 years and this is a source of pride for JHFTB.

JHFTB is dedicated to providing consumers an opportunity to expand their beer experience through various tastings and festivals. These events are fun, great value, educational and contribute to strengthening the beer culture in Canada.

2008 Featured Presenters: David McIlwraith joins The Grapes and Hops Presentation Stage

Sommelier and restaurant consultant David McIlwraith of Grapes of Wraith has over 25 years experience in the food and beverage industry and works directly with restaurants and on private initiatives to cultivate wine enjoyment. He is never far from the restaurant scene through his career with Blackwood Career Apparel, keeping staff looking great as well as educating them in the service and appreciation of wine.

With his razor sharp wit and timely anecdotes, David will teach, entertain and amaze his audience with his vast knowledge of wines, its selection, service and enjoyment. David will make you feel comfortable around wines and help you make correct selections teach you why higher prices are not always the real gauge of quality.

He will dispel many commonly held beliefs and myths about wine service and selection to help you have a greater comfort level and understanding of why a particular wine is the correct choice for the food you are enjoying.

David's goal is to get people to try different things and to be a big kid: "to play with your food" and subsequently the wine.

David will be conducting his presentations on the Grapes & Hops Stage and he will also be bantering with the chefs on the Food Network Celebrity Stage.

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