Pan Pacific Vancouver Welcomes Chef Geoff Carkner

We’re are thrilled to announce that Geoff Carker has joined the Hotel as Executive Chef!

Geoff brings over 16 years of solid culinary experience, most recently holding the role of Executive Chef for the Westin Melbourne. Prior to his role in Australia, he worked as the Executive Chef for the Fairmont Vancouver Airport and as Executive Sous Chef at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.

Graduating with honours at Dubrulle French Culinary School, Geoff also completed the BC Apprenticeship Program and obtained his Red Seal designation. His strong passion for culinary arts resulted in gold medals in the Grande Culinary Competition (BC Chef’s Association).

Geoff is well known in the Vancouver food scene for his culinary skills, his creativity, and his engaging and high-energy leadership style. We could not be more thrilled to have Geoff join us!

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Summer Nights and Theatre Under the Stars

There’s no shortage of things to see and do when it’s summer in Vancouver. Summer means outdoor activities, whether it be rollerblading around the seawall, sunbathing at Kits Beach, shopping on Robson Street, hitting a patio for drinks or catching an outdoor performance.

A long standing and beloved tradition in Vancouver is Theatre Under the Stars or TUTS.  Every July and August, TUTS mounts two musical theatre productions at the Malkin Bowl, an enchanting outdoor setting located in the heart of Stanley Park.

This year they’re featuring West Side Story and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, two of Broadway’s most universally acclaimed, smash-hit musicals.

One is an electrifying story of forbidden love in the unforgiving streets of 1950s New York City. The other is a beloved fairytale brimming with magic and mystery. Both will make you fall in love this summer.

West Side Story is a dynamic re-imagining of Romeo and Juliet in the turbulent streets of 1950’s New York. As turf war rages between two rival gangs, a pair of star-crossed lovers find themselves caught in the middle – and tragically wrenched between two worlds.

The beautiful, passionate, and heartbreaking work was created by the dream team of Leonard Bernstein, Arthur Laurents, and Stephen Sondheim. Jerome Robbins’ kinetic, explosive choreographic style intrinsically tied the musical to its exhilarating songbook, which includes such gems as “Cool,” “America,” “I Feel Pretty,” and “Tonight.”

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is an enchanting musical for the entire family, and the first Disney film ever to make the leap to stage. The ‘tale as old as time’ follows Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, a young prince transformed by a wicked spell. If the Beast can learn to be loved, the curse will end and he will be restored. But time is running out.

The stage version includes all of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman’s songs from the Academy Award-winning film, as well as new songs by Menken and Tim Rice.

Soaring, family friendly musical theatre, towering Douglas Fir trees and a canopy of twinkling stars, Theatre Under the Stars makes for a perfect summer night’s outing.

West Side Story and Beauty and the Beast are performed on alternating nights from July 6 through Aug. 20. Tickets range from $30-$45 and can be purchased here.

Theatre Under the Stars 2016

• Where: Malkin Bowl at Stanley Park (610 Pipeline Rd.)
• When: July 6 to August 20, 2016. Performances alternate evenings.  All shows at 8pm, except on Fireworks Nights, when shows begin at 7pm

Photo credit: Tim Matheson

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Pan Pacific Vancouver Welcomes Carla Coté

We’re are thrilled to announce that Carla Coté has joined the Hotel as Director of Sales!

Carla brings over twenty years’ experience in hotel sales and in leading high performing sales teams.  Since 2012 she has held the position of Regional Director of Sales and Marketing at Coast Hotels, based locally at the Coast Coal Harbour, and where she was responsible for all sales and marketing efforts of the hotel portfolio and leading a team of fifteen.

Prior to Coast Hotels, Carla achieved numerous successes in her position of Director of Sales and Marketing at Fairmont Vancouver Airport, Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Fairmont MacDonald Edmonton and the Fairmont Chateau Laurier in Ottawa.  Complementing her sales and leadership achievements, Carla brings operational experience in national chains including Four Seasons Hotels.

We are excited to have Carla with us!

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Father’s Day Brunch to Celebrate Dad

This Father’s Day, make your dad feel extra special by treating him and the family to Father’s Day Brunch at Oceans 999!

On Sunday June 19, the Pan Pacific Vancouver will host a lavish buffet spread that includes: live action stations, fresh seafood, dessert buffet and a few extra hearty dishes made just for Dad.

Just a few feature items to whet your appetite:

Seafood  Station:
Beet-cured salmon gravlax, smoked steelhead and smoked trout
Alaskan snow crab legs
Jumbo tiger prawns, traditional cocktail sauce

Carving station:
Peppercorn-crusted Alberta beef striploin, red wine jus
Wild Pacific halibut, scallop + prawn mousse tobiko sauce

Hot Entrees:
Seared pork tenderloin medallions, caramelized apple, grainy mustard sauce
Seafood medley with Thai curry sauce
Grilled salmon exotic fruit salsa with citrus butter sauce

There will also be fresh dim sum, sushi, omelettes, and much, much more. To view the full menu, click here.

Date: Sunday, May 8 | 1030am-230pm

Price:
Adults: $77 per person
Seniors: $73 per person
Children ages 6-12 $38.50 per person (Complimentary for children under age 5)
Plus 17% service charge and applicable taxes.

Call 604.895.2480 and book your spot today!

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Photo Contest for Father’s Day! *CONTEST CLOSED*

Your dad is a special guy and we want to help you celebrate him for all that he does with a Father’s Day brunch for four!

Here’s how to enter:

1. Follow us at Facebook, Twitter or Instagram
2. Submit a photo of you and your father/father figure via Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and tell us why the photo means so much to you.
3. Tag your photo with @panpacificvan and #PanFathersDay to be eligible for judging.

One lucky winner will be taking Dad and two other guests for Father’s Day brunch at our new restaurant, Oceans 999!

Contest Terms and Conditions:

1. No purchase necessary.
2. Limit to one (1) entry per person.
3. Photos must be uploaded no later than 12:00PM Friday, June 17.
4. Winner will be selected by Pan Pacific Vancouver on Friday, June 17. Winner will be announced on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
5. Prize is non-transferable.
6. By participating in this promotion, you give Pan Pacific Vancouver your consent to post your name and photo to our social channels.
7. Prize must be redeemed on Father’s Day Sunday, June 19.

Good luck, everyone!

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Staff Spotlight: Phil Wonnacott

Welcome to our Staff Spotlight blog series! This is where you’ll meet the people behind the Hotel. With over 400 associates working at Pan Pacific Vancouver, there are a lot of personalities and a lot of stories to tell!

Today we shine the spotlight on Bell Captain, Phil Wonnacott, who not only celebrated 25 years of service with the Pan this year, but was also recently honoured with the 2015 Spirit Award for Front of House!

Hi Phil! Tell us about yourself.

I was born in England and raised in North Vancouver. My wife and I are about to celebrate our 20th anniversary and we have 2 children, 14 year old Bridget and 9 year old Jack. I’m a big soccer fan and enjoy hockey as well.

How long have you been with Pan Pacific Vancouver?

I started with the Pan Pacific in 1990 as a Banquet Server and Bartender. In 1992, I moved to the Cascades Lounge as a Bartender and in 1995, I joined the Bell Services team. I was promoted to Lead Bellman in 1996 and Bell Captain in 2001.

What’s a typical day working as Bell Captain like?

My day starts at 6:30am,  setting up the tour lists for group departures, checking the schedules for staffing for the day, following up on any business from the previous night and then going through my e-mails.

What’s your favourite part about your job?

My favourite part of this job is the team I work with and making great memories for our guests, being a part of their journey whether they’re on vacation or travelling for business and hearing how we made a difference in their stay in Vancouver. I love meeting all the dogs that come for cookies at the front door.  Once they have one, they always come back!

What are the most challenging aspects about your job?

The most difficult thing for me is finding time to do all the “paper work” as I need to slip into the office to do the ordering, scheduling, emails etc. as I love being with the team and our guests throughout the Hotel in the public areas.

Although transporting and storage of guest luggage is the primary responsibility of bell services, you and your team also assist in making arrangements and delivering guest requests. Can you give us examples of what kind of arranging of services?

We spend most of our day assisting guests with recommendations for places to go to and things to see – restaurants, tours, transportation – anything a guest may need or want. If it’s possible to do, then we really will go “above and beyond”.

During our extremely busy cruise ship season – May 6 being the busiest day of the year – how do you keep organized the comings and going of passengers into the hotel?

No matter how busy it may be, we treat each guest with the patience and professionalism they deserve. Keeping accurate account and records of each item we are responsible for helps us to stay organized. Staying calm is the key.

Any special moment or encounter you want to share with us?

One of my favourite moments was the morning after the U2 concert, (which I attended), and driving Bono, his manager and bodyguard to Sophie’s Cosmic Café on 4th avenue. It was amazing to listen to the conversation they were having and then being noticed outside the restaurant by fans of U2. What a scene!

Tell us a little known secret about working as Bell Captain.

The one secret that I think most colleagues in the Hotel already know is that I have the best job in the hotel, and it’s my managers and the team I work with that make it the best job ever.

Last question! What do you do for fun when not working at the Pan?

When I’m not working, I like to spend time with my family going for road trips, hiking on the North Shore trails with our 5 year old lab, Monty, going to the gym, cooking and practice mindful meditation. I also enjoy a good movie and a glass of red wine on the weekends. 

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Let Us Entertain You – June Edition

Summer is almost upon us. Get ready for warm nights, cool breeze, tasty bites and great music. All those elements, combined with million dollar views of the water and the Cascade mountains make for an unforgettable evening at Oceans 999 and Coal Harbour Bar. We’ll save you a table!

Our featured entertainers this month are:

Cole Petrone

Andrew Mockler

Austin Nash Park

Dave Martone

Neal Ryan

Melanie Dekker

Greg Alcock

Olaf De Shield

Greg Norlin

Edd Wright

Burnaby Lyric Opera (Opera Buffet)

Click here for the entertainment schedule.

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Events and Entertainment Around Town – June Edition

Summertime may well be our favourite season in Vancouver. Not only is it patio weather, (hit our Coal Harbour bar for a thirst quenching bevvie), but it’s the season that we reach peak daylight hours. With so many hours, what will you get up to? Check our roundup of June events and get out there!

Cavalleria Rusticana – Minoru Chapel
Event date: June 1 | Times: 2pm and 7pm
A story of Old World beauty and brutality, drawing in audience after audience with its presentation of love, betrayal and death. Presented by Opera Opulenza.

City and Colour with Shakey Graves – Rogers Arena
Event date: June 3 | Time: 730pm

Gabriel Rutledge – Comedy Mixx
Event dates: June 2-4 | Various times
Past winner of Seattle International Comedy Competition and has made appearances on Comedy Central’s Live at Gotham and Nickelodean’s Nick Mom Night Out

Vancouver International Children’s Festival – Granville Island
Event dates: May 30-June 5 | Various times

Mahler’s Tragic Symphony – Orpheum Theatre
Event dates: June 4-6 | Time: 8pm
In the penultimate concert of the VSO’s new season, Maestro Bramwell Tovey conducts the North American premiere of Dream Song, a piece by British composer Edward Gregson, originally commissioned to appear in a concert alongside Mahler’s Incredible Symphony No. 6. The essence of Mahler fills this work, making it a fitting companion to Mahler’s Sixth, one of the greatest symphonic masterpieces ever written.

Concert for Jazz Trio – Christ Church Cathedral
Event date: June 8 | Time 8pm
Vancouver composer Elizabeth Knudson’s world premiere – Blueprint: Concert for Jazz Trio which uses a jazz trio as solo instrument. The American half of the concert features well known works by two of America’s music icons – Aaron Copeland’s Rodeo Suite and George Gershwin’s American in Paris.

Vancouver Whitecaps – Canadian Championship Semis – BC Place
Event date: June 8

Canada vs Japan – Men’s International Rugby – BC Place
Event date: June 11 | Time: 3pm

James Taylor and his All Star Band – Rogers Arena
Event date: June 11 | Time: 8pm

How to Survive an Apocalypse – Firehall Arts Centre
Event dates: June 2-11 | Various times
Jordan Hall’s romantic comedy for a cynical age.

Chad Daniels – The Comedy Mixx
Event dates: June 9-11 | Various times
Has appeared on the Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, Late Late Show on CBS, Just for Laugh’s ‘The Masters Show’ and the Aspen Comedy Festival for Rooftop Comedy.

Italian Day – 13 blocks of Commercial Drive
Event date: June 12 | Time: 12pm-8pm
Italian Day is Vancouver’s largest cultural street festival, with more than 300,000 people expected to fill 13 blocks along the Drive, to celebrate Italian food, drink, music and more. This year’s theme is Mangiamo! (Let’s Eat!) and festival goers are invited to enjoy the warmth of the traditional Italian tavola and the pleasures of beautiful Italian cuisine.

Mashup: The Birth of Modern Culture – Vancouver Art Gallery
Event dates: February 20-June 12
The biggest exhibition in the history of the Vancouver Art Gallery! Occupying 35,000 square feet of exhibition space on all floors and featuring more than 371 artworks by 156 artists!

Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 – Orpheum Theatre
Event dates: June 11-13 | 2pm and 8pm
The VSO’s 2015/16 season finale concert features Shostakovich’s heroic Symphony No. 5, written by the greatest of Soviet composers during the Stanlinist purges fothe 1930s. And brilliant young violinist Chad Hoopes performs Barber’s lyrical and emotional violin concerto.

10th Music on Main – Various venues on South Main
Event dates: October 6-June 14 | Various times
At a Music on Main concert, there’s always great musicians and interesting, engaging music.

DeAnne Smith – The Comedy Mixx
Event dates: June 16-18 | Various times
Voted Best Female Standup at the 2014 Canadian Comedy Awards! Appearances on NBC’s Last Comic Standing the The Late Show on CBS.

Annual Art Walk on Gallery Row – South Granville
Event date: June 18 | Time: 10am-6pm
13 art galleries hosting a one day special event.

Car Free Day 2016 – West End
Event date: June 18 | Time: 12pm-6pm
The festival will take place over several blocks of Denman Street in the West End and feature local artisans, vendors, community groups and live performances.

Carol Burnett – Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Event date: June 18 | Time: 730pm

Vancouver Whitecaps vs New England Revolution – BC Place
Event date: June 18 | Time: 4pm

DeAnne Smith – The Comedy Mixx
Event dates: June 16-18 | Various times
Voted Best Female Standup at the 2014 Canadian Comedy Awards. Appearances on NBC’s Last Comic Standing and The Late Show on CBS.

Car Free Day – Main Street
Event date: June 19 | Time: 12pm-7pm
The 21 block-long festival will feature local artisans, vendors, community groups, and food straight from restaurants along Main Street. Expect live performances and a host of activities from mini-festivals, to kids zones, three giant artisan markets and more.

Annual Dragon Boat Festival – Concord Pacific
Event dates: June 17-19 | Various times
Recognized as North America’s biggest and best, the annual Vancouver Dragon Boat Festival is a true celebration of our diverse and beautiful city, attracting over 100,000 people and close to 200 dragon boat teams from across the Lower Mainland and around the globe.

Chris Locke – The Comedy Mixx
Event date: June 23-25 | Various times
Chris Locke performs stand up all over Canada and the US in comedy clubs, festivals and independent venues. His stand up album garnered praise from critics and fans alike, as well as being the #1 comedy album on iTunes Canada during its first two weeks of release.

2016 Greek Day on Broadway – Broadway St (MacDonald to Blenheim)
Event date: June 26 | Time: 11am-9pm
Greek Day on Broadway is the largest one day Greek festival in Vancouver and the grand finale event in a month long Greek Heritage Festival.

Sarah McLachlan – Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Event date: June 27 | Time: 8pm

Diana Ross – River Rock Casino
Event date: June 30 | Time: 8pm

Dave Williamson – The Comedy Mixx
Event dates: June 30-July 2 | Various times
Dave is a story-teller who often calls on his childhood, his colourful college career at Auburn, and his continuing voyage into being a young father and husband for material.

Billy Elliot – Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage
Event date: May 12-July 10 | Various time
The electrifying musical with unstoppable feeling – so exhilirating that at times you feel like leaping!

Rock of Ages – Granville Island Theatre
Event dates: June 16-July 30 | Various times
The totally rad musical tribute to the 80s.

Playland at the PNE
Event dates: May 7-September 18
Summertime fun at Vancouver’s premiere amusement park!

Bard on the Beach – Vanier Park
Event dates: June 3-September 24 | Various times
This year’s line up are: The Merry Wives of Windsor, Romeo and Juliet, Othello and Pericles. Annual festival underneath the tents of Vanier Park.

Granville Island’s Farmer’s Market – Triangle Square Granville Island
Event dates: June 2-September 25 | Time: 10am-3pm
In supplement to the ongoing Public Market there is a seasonal farmers’ market at Granville Island. This cash-only market is steps from all the great food vendors and has been around for 30 years.

Picasso: The Artist and His Muses – Vancouver Art Gallery
Event dates: June 11-October 2
Over 60 classics from Spanish artist Pablo Picasso. The pieces, which include works such as “Claude et Paloma” and “Femme au chapeau” will form part of Picasso: The Artist and his Muses.

Main St. Station Farmer’s Market – 1100 Station Street
Event dates: June 1-October 5 | Time: 2pm-6pm
See, taste, and indulge at this bustling weekday market. With vendors lined up on the east side of Thornton Park on the sidewalk along Station Street, the Main Street Station Farmer’s Market is within ideal reach on foot for bus and Skytrain users.

Richmond Night Market – near Bridgeport Station of Canada Line
Event dates: May 15-October 12 | Various times
Friday and Saturday (7pm-midnight), Sunday and stat holidays (7pm-11pm) The largest night market in North America since 2000.

West End Farmer’s Market – Comox Street (between Bute and Thurlow)
Event dates: May 28-October 22 | 9am-2pm
The West End’s charming, community-minded farmer’s market is open Saturdays. Grab a coffee, peek at the adjacent community garden and stock up on a vast array of locally grown foods.

Yaletown Farmer’s Market – 1200 Mainland Street
Event dates: May 5-October 27
A very urban market indeed. The pedestrian-friendly streets of Yaletown welcome vendors and farmers Thursday afternoons and evenings for a terrific food and shopping experience, right at the Yaletown-Roundhouse Canada Line station.

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Spot the Cruise Ships – June Edition

The great thing about spring and being situated at Canada Place is welcoming all the visiting cruise ships to Vancouver! Being a port city, we’re so fortunate to be ambassadors for visitors from all over the world.

At Canada Place, there are three berths where cruise ships can dock: Canada Place East, Canada Place North and Canada Place West. In the summer, it’s not unusual to see all three berths full!

If you’re enjoy cruise ship-spotting as much as we do, here’s a handy list of all the cruise ships coming in this month:

Wednesday, June 1: Seven Seas Mariner (east berth), Volendam (west berth)

Friday, June 3: Radiance of the Seas (east berth)

Saturday, June 4: Star Princess (east berth), Nieuw Amsterdam (west berth)

Sunday, June 5: Celebrity Infinity (east berth), Zaandam (west berth)

Monday, June 6: Disney Wonder (west berth)

Wednesday, June 8: Island Princess (east berth), Volendam (west berth)

Thursday, June 9: Silver Shadow (north berth)

Friday, June 10: Celebrity Millennium (east berth)

Saturday, June 11: Coral Princess (east berth), Nieuw Amsterdam (west berth)

Sunday, June 12: Celebrity Infinity (east berth), Noordam (west berth)

Monday, June 13: Norwegian Sun (east berth), Disney Wonder (west berth)

Wednesday, June 15: Seven Seas Mariner (east berth), Volendam (west berth)

Friday, June 17: Radiance of the Seas (east berth)

Saturday, June 18: Star Princess (east berth), LE SOLEAL (north berth), Nieuw Amsterdam (west berth)

Sunday,  June 19: Celebrity Infinity (east berth), Crystal Serenity (north berth), Zaandam (west berth)

Monday, June 20: Disney Wonder (west berth)

Wednesday, June 22: Island Princess (east berth), Volendam (west berth)

Thursday, June 23: Silver Shadow (north berth)

Friday, June 24: Celebrity Millennium (east berth)

Saturday, June 25: Coral Princess (east berth), Nieus Amsterdam (west berth)

Sunday, June 26: Celebrity Infinity (east berth), Noordam (west berth)

Monday, June 27: Norwegian Sun (east berth), Regatta (north berth), Disney Wonder (west berth)

Wednesday, June 29: Seven Seas Mariner (east berth), Volendam (west berth)

Do you have a favourite cruise ship? Let us know which ones you’re looking forward to seeing in the comment sections!

Please note: Cruise schedules subject to change. For up to date information, click here.

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