bc magazine

Fuel Your Winter @ W Hotel – 28 October, 2016

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W Hotel‘s ‘Fuel Your Winter‘ winter promotion launched with a party in the hotel’s lobby on the 28 October, 2016
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Women’s Premiership Preview – 29 October, 2016

This weekend’s Women’s Premiership features clashes between the league’s four remaining unbeaten sides. The title contenders will meet for the first time this season when USRC Tigers host Valley Black at Kings Park (3pm) and Gai Wu Falcons travel to Sports Road to play HKFC Ice in Saturday’s second tie between unbeaten sides at 6pm.

In the day’s third match, Kowloon will face off against SCAA Causeway Bay Phoenix at KGV, (6pm), with both sides having come close to their first wins of the season in recent weeks.

Valley Black have extended their historic two-year unbeaten streak into a third season, scoring 154 points in their three matches to date; third-ranked Tigers have posted a similarly impressive 126 points over their three victories this season.

The Tigers, who finished second in the league last year before being edged out of the Grand Championship stakes, have clear ambitions to figure in the top two this time around, but will be tested heavily on Saturday.

The scrutiny will go both ways as Valley are under no illusions as to what they can expect, with coach James Elliott calling Saturday’s match a “tough exam.” “None of the games are going to be easy, especially against Tigers, Football Club or, of course, Gai Wu. It is still just the start of the season so we need to be ready for anything.”

Despite facing their first real threat of the season, it’s business as usual according to Elliott.

“Our preparation has been nothing special, we have done some contact work and kept up on our fitness. We’re missing a couple of players, so there will be a bit of a reshuffle, particularly in the pack, but we have no major injuries.”

Spectators should be in for some exciting running rugby as two of the league’s premier backlines enter Saturday’s match. The Valley backline features a number of Hong Kong Sevens squad members and nearly the entire group was invited to trial for the National XVs earlier this week.

“Our backline performance will be hugely important. Tigers also have a great backline, and that is where the competition will be – I’m expecting an open, running game. It will be a fast game, which is fine for us, fine for both teams actually,” Elliott added.

Valley’s already imposing backline will be bolstered by the addition of sevens squad mainstay Colleen Tjosvold as she gets her first fifteens action of the season after being on international duty for Hong Kong early in the season. Tjosvold will join her sevens teammates Adrienne Garvey and Amelie Seure in the squad.

Valley captain Olivia Coady is excited about the challenge ahead; “We watched Tigers play last week [a 49-0 win over Kowloon]. They looked really strong. There has been some good competition already this season, but this weekend will be our biggest test so far.

“I’m also expecting a fast, running game, perhaps even a high scoring one. We don’t care about necessarily winning big, just winning,” Coady added.

Tigers coach Liu Kwok-leung agrees that the Premiership is about to get much more challenging for his team. “It’s the time to test the players in the field. Valley is a top team and I expect to learn a lot about our players, and about Valley, tomorrow. And they will learn a lot too. Every season when we play them, it exposes something, and I hope it will be positive for us tomorrow.”

National team players Natasha Olson-Thorne, Nam Ka-man and Lindsay Varty are all back from duty and are set to start for Tigers, and with only a couple of injuries to disturb his selection options, Liu expects a tight match saying, “It will be really close but we don’t feel too much pressure.”

Having earlier in the season expressed concern over his charges’ ability to maintain focus for the full 80 minutes, Liu believes there is enough in his team to give champions Valley a real fight.

“We’ve done a lot of work on our defence and our players have grown a lot since last season. We will focus on our defensive patterns, and if we can maintain them and convert defence into attack smoothly, it’ll be a really exciting game that brings out the best in both teams.”

Gai Wu will take their perfect record to meet fellow unbeatens HK Football Club. On current form they should have the upper hand, however, their hopes to add a league-leading fourth consecutive shutout could be in jeopardy against a battling Football Club outfit.

Wine & Dine 2016 – A Few Things to Enjoy

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It’s Wine & Dine! After a walk around under the blazing sun here’s a few things to enjoy. We can’t say it’s a ‘best of’, there’s over 400 booths to explore taste and savour. Have fun finding your own favourites.

It’s not cheap! While many outlets are offering discounts on their regular shop prices for buying bottles (with many happy to home deliver after the festival). Food is pricey, most places are averaging $50-75 per portion.

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In an attempt no doubt to break up the massive crowds this year’s Wine & Dine Festival is laid out in short blocks set at sharp angles. It’s not instinctively easy to find your way back to an outlet/booth so eat /drink what you want when you see/find it. This layout also makes it hard to direct friends to a spot they’d enjoy – take a photo of the booth number.

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Wine Whiskey and Beer

There are more wine companies and stands than you can possibly sample… decisions, decisions. Your wine tokens get a tasting portion – not a full glass. Ensure they rinse your glass first! Check out the Riedel tent, the glass manufacturer has an ongoing selection of talks and tastings.

There’s a large, essentially craft, beer area – towards the Admiralty end, far side from the harbour – with a wide range of local and international beers to sample. Several stands have special beers only available at Wine & Dine. Want a bite with your beer? Next to the beer stands at booth E814 you can find a mixed sausage platter of black cuttlefish and traditional German cheese sausages covered in melted cheese for $40.

If you like whiskey there are single brand whiskey stands, most are grouped in the middle of the festival. Except for the Jack Daniels booth which is in the American area. Celebrating it’s 150 anniversary, you’ll be able to taste a wide selection of Jack Daniels.

Food

It won’t mean much to many but one of the booths in the American street is offering a free drink to those who kiss Hillary and or punch Donald 🙂 For for a simple snack try Millennium Seafoods lobster soup.

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Enjoy a big tasty sausage? Opposite the stage the 30cm Mega Jumbo Wurst ($75) offers a nice meaty custom made German sausage. Cooked over a massive circular BBQ, the team is organised and ready for the rush, their target to serve you in 60 seconds. There’s also a 15cm version ($65) which is the same type of sausage but sold more like a hotdog in a bigger bun. Wash is down with some Fruh Radler (lemon beer).

Flavabomb (E506) has a lovely light refreshing Gelato di Moscato – a choice gelato ice-cream, topped up with moscato and we added in a few dried strawberry flakes (top photo). A light refreshing option perfect in the summer sun or after dark. They also have a range of bakery products including croissants and pain au chocolat and some tasty beef balls with truffle.

Seafood: Abalone more abalone plus a bit of shellfish. There several booths offering abalone from a variety of different locations, in different sizes and farmed or wild. On the harbourfront edge of festival The Gold Coast Hotel has a bowl of their signature tasty Sri-Lankan crab for $98 and a hearty German sausage with sauerkraut for $60. Both portions sized to be almost a complete meal in themselves. Next door the Panda Hotel has a lobster bun ($40) and salmon, crab, cheese tarts ($40).

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If want a change from seafood, U Banquet is offering Grilled Assorted Balls for $20 a portion

While you’re picking up your free cookies from Lucullus check out some of their other offerings the predominantly Kowloon side chain has a range of tasty bakery and desserts on offer including cheese tarts (original, durian or green tea, $30 for 2) and stuffed baked parmesan cheese rolls (chicken, Thai green curry, sichuan spicy pork $35 for 2) and some cute looking chilled offerings.

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There are lots of desserts on offer, one of bc’s favourites from last year returns at booth E507. A rich silky smooth egg custard served in a real egg shell. $40 for box of 4, it’s seriously delicious.

Other food booths to check out –pork knuckle specialists Golden Pig, K-Town, Butcher and Baker who are offering hotdogs ($40) and baked chocolate fondants topped with ice-cream $30. And for something a little different, next to the Admiralty entrance, Kwun Tong private kitchen Wines Buddy and Dining at Home.

Basic things: A reminder there is little shade! Sun cream and a hat or expect to boil during the day. Bring water, there’s lots and lots and lots of wine, beer, whiskey – but little water to keep hydrated. There are very few seats.

NO refunds on coupons! In fact, unless you want to sample wine, there’s very little point in waiting in the long lines to buy coupons at a rough estimate over 80% of booths accept cash.

It’s outside, there’s food, wine, beer, whiskey, live music… what’s not to like, have fun!

Wine & Dine Festival 2016
Date: 27-30 October, 2016
Venue: Central Harbourfront
Tickets: $30

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Women’s Rugby Fixtures – 29 October, 2016

Wine & Dine Festival @ Central Harbourfront – 27 October, 2016

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Opening night at Wine & Dine 2016.
Read our pick of some of the things to taste with you wine.
Click on any photo to see the full gallery

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Match Report: HKFC Ice 22-14 CWB Phoenix @ King’s Park – 22 October, 2016

HKFC Ice kicked off against CWB Phoenix with an unintended late start at King‘s Park courtesy of typhoon Haima. Ice had a noisy crowd of enthusiastic supporters there to cheer them on.

Rosie Hopewell-Fong led the girl’s from the start, implementing a pre-planned kicking strategy to exploit the space. The chasing backs earning Ice an early penalty. HKFC looked threatening, exerting pressure and keeping the ball deep in the CWB’s half. On 14 minutes, an excellent drive for the line by Rosie Hopewell-Fong opened the scoring.

CWB put together some fast passages of play and notable scrums from their forwards; however HKFC’s solid defence and some exceptional tackling from Crystal Wray on the wing prevented them from gaining the possession. With both sides kicking for territory and looking for a line break, the majority of action was in the middle of the pitch as the first half drew to close.

Ball and handling errors from both sides resulted in a few missed opportunities for HKFC. Two yellow cards were presented to CWB for foul play. Ice exploited their numerical advantage and Captain, Bobby Wilson scored a hard earned second try just before the whistle. Half-time 10-0.

After the break, CWB looked to pick-up the intensity of their game, as they did so though the errors started to creep in and several dropped balls and Ice took full advantage of CWB’s generosity as Bobby Wilson scored her second try of the afternoon, converted by Rosie Hopewell-Fong’s 17-0.

Exciting, yet scrappy game play at times from both teams fighting for their place. Ice made some changes with Angelina Cheung and Maggie Wong off replaced by Nina Pirie and Natalia Lech. Relentless pressure from CWB looking for a way back into the game was finally rewarded with a converted try.

With 5 minutes to go, more subs for HKFC; Jamie Ho for Stephanie Siu, Denise Chan off for Doris Chen and Amy Kong on for Royce Chan. These fresh legs combined to set up HKFC Ice’s Crystal Wray for a fourth try and surely seal the game with 3 minutes to go. CWB replied quickly penetrating a wide gap up the middle to secure a well deserved second converted try. Final score 22-14.

HKFC Ice:
1. Denise Chan, 2. Shonagh Ryan, 3. Megan Richardson, 4. Angelina Cheung, 5. Iris Chan, 6. Claire Hunter, 7. Nina Pirie, 8. Bobby Wilson ©, 9. Sophie Short, 10. Rose Hopewell-Fong, 11. Jane Cheung, 12. Stephanie Siu, 13. Jamie Bourk, 14. Crystal Wray, 15. Helen Lee
Substitutes: Doris Chen, Cheryl Gourley, Zuzanna Osinska, Royce Chan, Cynthia Luk, Henrietta Wong, Hei Hei Wong and Rabbit Leung.
Tries: Bobby Wilson (2), Rosie Hopewell-Fong, Crystal Wray
Conversion: Rosie Hopewell-Fong

Causeway Bay Phoenix:
1. Pui Yan, Cooliy Wong, 2. Tsang Siu Ching, 3. Chin Po Po, 4. Chan Yan Yi, 5. Wing Chi Jenny Wong, 6. Li Man Yi, 7. Tin Yan, Dora Chim, 8. Tsang Ching Man, 9. Sin Man Hau, 10. Wong Sze Man, 11. Lau Sin Tung, 12. Au To, 13. Chan Abigail, 14. Lam Ka Wai, 15. Tsang Yuen Ying
Substitutes: Ho Pui Ki, Kwan Ki Chan, Rain Lam, Kwok Yuk Lin (C), Ling Yee Ally Cheung, Ng Wing Yee, See Wai June Au, Wing Ting Catherine Cheng

Megabites: Enjoy US Beef and Pork at Wine and Dine 2016

This year’s Wine & Dine Festival has over 400 booths split across 5 sections, where to start? How about the Tasty Bites section where, sponsored by the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF), you can find premium US pork and US beef served up by two local restaurants Frites (Booth C311) and Crft-Pit (Booth C317).

Located in Ap Lei Chau Crft-Pit specialises in American BBQ and their booth features a four item menu. The Texas Brisket Beef Dip ($60) is oak smoked USDA brisket with a peppercorn rub served with creole mustard in a baguette. The Pulled Pork Slider with Pickles ($55) has hickory smoked USDA pork served in a brioche bun withcrft bbq sauce and shredded cabbage. They also have Mini Burger Sliders ($55) and Jalapeno Mac and Cheese ($30). Add a drink to create a combo for $80

Frites the Belgian bar with four outlets locally will be serving mini versions of two of it’s popular menu items. The palm sized “US Pork Mini Good Wife Sausage with Mash Potato’ $60 is very tasty. Or get healthy with a ‘US Beef Protein Salad’ $80.

Momotaro First Anniversary Party – 26 October, 2016

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Japanese restaurant Momotaro on Wellington Street celebrated it’s first anniversary with a party. Guests, regulars and friends enjoyed sushi and sake to celebrate the occasion.
Click on any photo to see more images from the party.

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